Beginner +

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium, but still follow a structured path with guidance from the tutor.

You will need to bring your own painting materials to the class, which you can store at The Art Academy for the duration of the course.

If you do not have your own materials, we recommend you order one of our Painting Packs when booking. You can purchase this at the checkout. Once ordered, packs will be available when you arrive for your first class. There is also a mini shop in the Academy that supplies the basics such as canvas boards, paints, Zest-it etc. (card purchases only)

The Academy is a white spirit and turpentine free environment and only odourless spirits, such as Zest-it or Sansodor, are permitted on the premises. These can also be recycled on site. If you are using oil paints you must bring 1 small jar with a lid to hold your solvent as this should be reused each week. If you want to dispose of your solvent please speak to your tutor as these cannot be poured down the sink and must be disposed of correctly.

Please also bring an apron or old clothing to wear.

The Acrylic Pack contains:
• A set of acrylic brushes, both flat and round
• One tear off palette (9”x12”)
• One palette knife
• One 10″x12″ canvas board
• One 10″x14″ canvas board
• Two 12″x16″ canvas boards
• Eight Daler Rowney (system 3) tubes of Black, White, Cadmium Red, Sap Green, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow

The Oil Pack contains:
• A set of bristle brushes, both flat and round
• One tear off palette (9”x12”)
• One palette knife
• One bottle of Zest-it (250ml)
• One 10″x12″ canvas board
• One 10″x14″ canvas board
• Two 12″x16″ canvas boards
• Eight Daler Rowney 38ml Georgian oil tubes of Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, Coeruleum Blue and Burnt Umber

Please note that pack contents are subject to change at the discretion of the Academy at any time.

Please be aware that depending on the course structure, you might need to purchase extra canvas boards, on top of the ones provided in the pack.

Sadie Lee (b.1967) is an award-winning British figurative painter. Sexuality, gender and the aging body are recurring themes in her work.  Her realistic, challenging paintings investigate human identity, vulnerability, defiance and notions of ‘otherness’, with a strong sense of solidarity with her subjects. 

Solo exhibitions include the National Portrait Gallery (London), Manchester City Art Gallery and Schwules Museum (Berlin). Selected group shows at The I.C.A., Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of London. 

She grew up in York in the North of England and now works from a studio in the Grade 1-listed Bruce Castle Museum, in London.

Instagram: Sadieleeartist 

Bankside Campus

185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL

tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.

Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.

Terms and Conditions

• By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
• You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

• If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
• Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
• All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
• We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
• Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
• Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.