All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

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.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MATERIALS

There is a materials cost of £15 which includes some materials for the course. You will need to gather a collection of watercolour brushes and implements – small and large up to 2-3cm in flats, filberts, rounds, chinese, dipping pen and anything else which makes marks you enjoy.

Make sure you have a range of watercolour paper and watercolour sketchbooks, as you’ll often need to work across multiple surfaces – a smaller watercolour sketchbook (A5 – A6 may be beneficial when working outside). 

A good quality cartridge paper sketchbook is also useful. 

We will use full sheets of paper so it may be better to buy paper in larger formats which you can cut down. The Academy stocks a small selection of A1 watercolour papers but other than this all materials will need to be sourced elsewhere.

Below is a list of these materials you are required to provide for the course. Please also check the ‘what to bring*’ sections above. Your tutor will advise if further materials or equipment are required as the course progresses. 

Essentials: 

• Simple watercolour starter brush selection, such as: https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/pro-arte-polar-brush-wallet-set-of-5-2-4-6-8-round-3-8-flat or https://www.cassart.co.uk/cass-art-synthetic-brush-set-of-6–c/
• At least one large flat-headed brush (to students preference) for washes (students on a budget: consider a soft decorator’s brush from a hardware store – these will be considerably cheaper): https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/silver-brush-atelier-hake-short-handle-flat-size-4in-100mm-wide 
• Small set of watercolour pans (for use out and about): https://www.cassart.co.uk/winsor-newton-cotman-including-1-artists-quality-watercolour-sketchers-pocket-box-of-12-half-pan—cass-exclusive–c/
• Or if you prefer: watercolour tubes, in colours: viridian, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, ultramarine blue (these will mostly be present in sets of pans): https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/jacksons-artists-watercolour*
• Watercolour palette (whatever students have available, could be simple plastic palette, ice-cream tub, old plate, small glass panel etc. or something like this: https://www.cassart.co.uk/loxley-plastic-daisy-palette–c/ * please note most sets of watercolour pans also comprise a small palette.
• Small watercolour sketchbook(s) for working out and about, A4, A5 or A6 – Seawhites are a good quality less-expensive brand: https://www.cassart.co.uk/search.php?nav-menu-quick-search=watercolour%20sketchbook&page=1&limits=36
• A water holding paint brush (students have used these on previous courses to good effect when working outside and it will be safer when we are working in museums). https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/shore-marsh-water-brush-set-6-pack/6685491000.html?glCountry=GB&store=68&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20483624076&gbraid=0AAAAADnvm3J-XpylL7LLRWKXCA2UMl4dv&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl5jHBhDHARIsAB0YqjzBGlgervoXwwZqo90SSZknXo6JB_9JIe4l8YV1m2qD-e7UoxMpT1saAo9REALw_wcB
• Watercolour pad of A3 paper (gummed pads stop the paper buckling) such as: https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/bockingford-watercolour-papers-pads-white
• Some additional watercolour sheets/tear out pad (A3 ideal).
• A few sheets of cartridge paper suitable for ink (A3 size)
• Transportable water pot with lid (jam jars are ideal)
• A suitable bag to carry your equipment out and about 

*Students may use pans or tubes or a combination – we will spend at least 1 session working at a larger scale, so tubes may be easier for this, please ensure whatever you use colours include the 3 primaries, alizarin crimson and viridian.

Additional (not essential, but if desired): 

• Mop Brush (size 2 or above):  https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/roman-szmal-synthetic-squirrel-brushes
• Fan brush: https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/pro-arte-prolene-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-79011
• Sponges: https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/handover-natural-sea-sponges
• Dip pen and nibs: https://www.cassart.co.uk/manuscript-student-artist-calligraphy-dip-pen-set–c/
• Black Indian ink will be made available, but if you would like any other colours, these can be purchased as individual pots or as a set: https://www.cassart.co.uk/winsor-newton-henry-collection-ink-pack-of-8-14ml–c/
• Masking fluid (if student has used this before and finds it helpful, please do not worry about purchasing this as it is absolutely not essential)

NB DO NOT USE detergent of any kind when washing brushes, water bottles or pots! 

Laura Ribbons

Laura Ribbons is an artist, facilitator and curator based in Hastings. Laura has been working in watercolours for over 15 years and is a passionate advocate for the medium. She is a graduate of Wimbledon College of Art with a degree in Fine Art (Painting). She was the winner of the 2012 Orbis Art Prize and was nominated for the Clyde & Co Art Awards the same year.

In 2016 Laura gained a Masters degree in Environmental Anthropology from the University of Kent, allowing her to further develop her interests in plant-human relations and the climate crisis, both topics which conceptually inform her practice. Laura has exhibited widely and her works feature in a number of private collections across the UK, she has also exhibited in Spain where she lived from 2018 – 2019. In 2022 Laura was invited to take part in the Towner Gallery’s Open Plan Residency programme. As a socially-engaged arts practitioner Laura has worked on projects with a number of high profile galleries including Towner Eastbourne, Watts Gallery – Artist Village, Pallant House Gallery and Hastings Contemporary. Laura currently has a solo exhibition at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery entitled Plants Make Places, which opened on 23rd August 2025 and runs until 1st February 2026. The exhibition which received Arts Council funding is part of a wider community project exploring how plants shape the places we live and our identities, and includes work produced in collaboration with project partners. https://lauraribbons.com/ 

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.