Easter and Summer at the Art Academy

Discover the perfect place to nurture your artistic passion this Easter and Sumer at The Art Academy. Located in the heart of London, next to the iconic Tate Modern, our Easter school courses offer an unparalleled creative experience in a vibrant and supportive artistic community.

Why Enrol

With 25 years of history, The Art Academy has supported over 40,000 aspiring artists. Our purpose-built Bankside campus combines tradition and modernity, providing the ideal environment for artistic growth.

You will gain:

Artistic Development: Enhance your skills through hands-on practice and personalised guidance.

Portfolio Building: The work created can help build a portfolio for further education or your art career.

Creative Confidence: Leave inspired and equipped with new artistic techniques and creative confidence.

What we offer

Drawing & Painting

Master traditional and contemporary techniques in portrait painting, water colour & ink and oil painting.

Explore different mediums, from oil paints to watercolours.

Sculpture & Ceramics

Shape your artistic vision through sculpture, working with clay and mixed media.

Create functional and artistic ceramics in our state-of-the-art ceramics studio.

Digital Arts & Animation

Dive into digital art with animation and manga for young artists in cutting-edge facilities.


Ceramics

Handbuilt Ceramics: Coil Built Vases

COURSE CODE: SC2503C013

COURSE DATES: Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April 2026

TUTOR: Adele Williams

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All Levels

FEE: £375

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Ceramics

This 4 day course covers all the fundmentals of handbuilding with clay using pinching and coiling techniques, plus decorating techniques, carving, sgrattifo, burnishing and using coloured slips.

Drawing

Young Artist: Manga Illustration (11 – 15)

COURSE CODE: SC2503023

COURSE DATES: Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April 2026

TUTOR: Chie Kutsuwada

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:30am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11-15, All Levels

FEE: £350

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Digital Art

This course focuses on the uniqueness of manga style illustration, and teaches students how to make their pages come to life  within the limitations of monochrome. We will explore how to express our character’s emotions effectively, and learn the important basics of figure drawing.

Drawing the Portrait

COURSE CODE: SC2504068

COURSE DATES: Monday 13th – Friday 17th July 2026

TUTOR: James Otto Allen

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing, Portraiture

This five-day intensive course introduces students to the fundamentals of portrait drawing through careful observation and structured method. Designed to support beginners while offering depth for more experienced students, the course focuses on developing accuracy, proportion, and clarity through measured drawing techniques.  

Drawing Anatomy: Constructing the Figure

COURSE CODE: SC2504069

COURSE DATES: Monday 20th – Friday 24th July 2026

TUTOR: James Otto Allen

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing

This intensive five-day course explores the human figure through structure. Students will learn how to build the figure from simple three-dimensional forms – cylinders, spheres, and blocks -developing a solid understanding of anatomy through construction.

Drawing Views of London

COURSE CODE: SC2504004

COURSE DATES: Monday 20th – Friday 24th July 2026

TUTOR: Natasha Lien

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Various locations

SUBJECT: Drawing

This week-long course is a wonderful way to develop your drawing and creative skills, teaching you the essentials of building an outdoor drawing practice. You will be drawing in and around iconic central London locations.

Life Drawing

COURSE CODE: SC2504001

COURSE DATES: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026

TUTOR: Zoe Toolan

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing

This course will teach a range of Life Drawing skills and develop your understanding of the structure of the human figure. You will study and portray the relationship between figure and space, exploring different themes each day.

Young Artist: Manga Illustration (11 – 15)

COURSE CODE: SC2504023

COURSE DATES: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026

TUTOR: Chie Kutsuwada

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:30am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11 – 15, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Digital Art

This course focuses on the uniqueness of manga style illustration, and teaches students how to make their pages come to life  within the limitations of monochrome. We will explore how to express our character’s emotions effectively, and learn the important basics of figure drawing.

Young Artists: Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media (15 – 18)

COURSE CODE: SC2504028

COURSE DATES: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026

TUTOR: Usva Inei

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 15 – 18, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Printmaking, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture

In this course, you will get to experiment with various different art-making approaches, including drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking. You will be introduced to artists and artwork, as well as learn new skills and approaches to making. This course can be a fun way to explore your creativity and develop your own style, but can also be used to build up portfolios for school work.

Digital Art

Young Artist: Animation (11 – 14)

COURSE CODE: SC2504022

COURSE DATES: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026

TUTOR: Dann Parry

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11 – 14, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Digital Art

A fun and inspiring five day course for ages 15-18 providing a skills based experience and expert tuition in animation. You will be taught skills in stop motion, 2D drawing for animation and the use of Adobe Creative Suite as an animation tool.

Young Artist: Animation (15 – 18)

COURSE CODE: SC2504122

COURSE DATES: Monday 10th – Friday 14th August 2026

TUTOR: Dann Parry

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 15 – 18, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Digital Art

A fun and inspiring five day course for ages 15-18 providing a skills based experience and expert tuition in animation. You will be taught skills in stop motion, 2D drawing for animation and the use of Adobe Creative Suite as an animation tool.

Painting

Oil Painting for All

COURSE CODE: SC2503061

COURSE DATES: Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April 2026

TUTOR: Nicholas Mcleod

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £365

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

Open to all levels, with guidance from your tutor to suit beginners and experienced painters, this dynamic course is designed to introduce and refine essential painting techniques.

Watercolour and Ink

COURSE CODE: SC2503062

COURSE DATES: Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April 2026

TUTOR: Laura Ribbons

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £365

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing, Painting

This course will introduce students to a range of techniques using both watercolours and inks. Students will be able to experience working outside around the local area and in the studio, exploring composition and combining traditional and contemporary approaches to the mediums.

Young Artists: Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media (11 – 15)

COURSE CODE: SC2503028

COURSE DATES: Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April 2026

TUTOR: Various Tutors

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11-15, All Levels

FEE: £350

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting, Sculpture

In this exciting course for ages 11-15, students will experiment with a range of materials including; paints, textiles, plaster casting and mixed-media. This course aims to help students develop a new range of skills and expand their artistic skillset.

Introduction to Oil Painting

COURSE CODE: SC2503037

COURSE DATES: Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April 2026

TUTOR: Jessica Routley

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner

FEE: £365

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

The perfect introductory course for those who are new to painting or new to working with oil paints. The tutor will guide you in exploring a range of different subject matter and techniques, across 4 days in our central London art studios. You will gain the confidence to create your own finished paintings with this versatile medium.

Portrait Painting

COURSE CODE: SC2503018

COURSE DATES: Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April 2026

TUTOR: Andy Pankhurst

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner +

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting, Portraiture

This is the perfect introductory course to Portrait Painting, for those with some painting experience. This detailed course will teach students how to accurately paint a portrait, and the different techniques involved. The emphasis will be on learning to see form and colour accurately, using a portrait model, and applying these skills to better create loose and expressive portraits.

Painting Plein Air

COURSE CODE: SC2504025

COURSE DATES: Monday 13th – Wednesday 15th July 2026

TUTOR: Julia Hawkins ROI NEAC

DAYS: 3

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £240

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

Observe and capture the world around you by stepping outside the studio and exploring the richness of painting outdoors. Suitable for all levels, you’ll learn how to respond to changing light, dynamic city scenes, and natural landscapes with confidence.

Introduction to Oil Painting

COURSE CODE: SC2504037

COURSE DATES: Monday 13th – Friday 17th July 2026

TUTOR: Nicholas Mcleod

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

A well-structured and systematic course for those who have never painted before or want to start from the beginning. Students learn to see colour, shape and tone and relate all these elements together through composition. This course aims to foster self-confidence and enjoyment of Oil Painting in a stimulating community environment.

Portrait Painting

COURSE CODE: SC2504018

COURSE DATES: Monday 20th – Friday 24th July 2026

TUTOR: Charlie Schaffer

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £425

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting, Portraiture

This is an exciting and well-rounded course, designed to help you paint portraits with a greater focus and intensity throughout the entire picture, resulting in portrait that feels more emotive, alive and personal. Throughout the course, themes and ideas are broken down into easy to follow steps.

Landscape Painting Outdoors

COURSE CODE: SC2504024

COURSE DATES: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026

TUTOR: Natasha Lien

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

Landscape Painting Outdoors is a fun course that offers the fantastic opportunity to paint in and around London’s urban landscape.

Young Artists: Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media (11 – 14)

COURSE CODE: SC2504128

COURSE DATES: Monday 10th – Friday 14th August 2026

TUTOR: Farnoush Amini MRSS, Gail Seres-Woolfson

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11 – 14, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture

In this exciting Young Artist course for ages 11 – 14 you will experiment with a range of materials including; paints, textiles, plaster casting and mixed-media. This course aims to help students develop a new range of skills and expand your artistic skillset.

Abstract Painting

COURSE CODE: SC2504041

COURSE DATES: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026

TUTOR: Benat Olaberria

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

This is a fun, engaging, and relaxing course offering a structured introduction to abstract painting. This course will be focusing on how to represent forms, ideas and images that deviate from traditional representational image making, using acrylic paint.

Portrait Painting Masterclass with Andy Pankhurst

COURSE CODE: SC2504050

COURSE DATES: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026

TUTOR: Andy Pankhurst

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Intermediate/Advanced

FEE: £540

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting, Portraiture

The concept of a portrait can be about many different aspects with a possible main concern for a ‘likeness’. Under the tuition of Andy Pankhurst you will be encouraged to explore a pictorial language towards such concepts and question what a ‘likeness’ can mean and involve while working from a portrait model throughout the week.

Young Artist: Fine Art (15 – 18)

COURSE CODE: SC2504120

COURSE DATES: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026

TUTOR: Alice Perse Clarke

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 15 – 18, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture

Young Artist: Fine Art Workshop is an inspiring five day course for ages 15-17 providing a skills-based experience and expert tuition in a range of materials and techniques. The programme is taught by specialist tutors who are also professional, practicing artists. Access to models and contemporary painting and sculpture techniques provides a unique opportunity to develop new skills.

Painting the Figure in Space

COURSE CODE: SC2504033

COURSE DATES: Monday 10th – Friday 14th August 2026

TUTOR: Carl Randall

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner +

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

This engaging course covers a range of ways to paint the human figure in different spaces, suitable for those with some painting experience or a refresher for those who wish to refine their skills.

Watercolour & Ink

COURSE CODE: SC2504162

COURSE DATES: Monday 10th – Friday 14th August 2026

TUTOR: Laura Ribbons

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing, Painting

This course will introduce students to a range of techniques using both watercolours and inks. Students will be able to experience working outside around the local area and in the studio, exploring composition and combining traditional and contemporary approaches to the mediums.

Young Artists: Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media (15 – 18)

COURSE CODE: SC2504028

COURSE DATES: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026

TUTOR: Usva Inei

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 15 – 18, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Printmaking, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture

In this course, you will get to experiment with various different art-making approaches, including drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking. You will be introduced to artists and artwork, as well as learn new skills and approaches to making. This course can be a fun way to explore your creativity and develop your own style, but can also be used to build up portfolios for school work.

Introduction to Oil Painting

COURSE CODE: SC2504137

COURSE DATES: Monday 17th – Friday 21st August 2026

TUTOR: Gail Seres-Woolfson

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting

The perfect introductory course for those who are new to oil painting. Throughout the week the tutor will guide you in exploring a range of different subject matters and techniques that will provide you with the confidence to paint gratifying and complete paintings with this versatile medium. Students will be exploring subjects such as:
  • Shape and tone
  • Volume
  • Colour
  • Still Life
  • Portraits
  • Figure
  • Landscapes
You will learn to relate these elements together in compositions and paint from a life model under the guidance of your tutor. This course offers a structured introduction in a stimulating, fun and relaxing environment.    

Painting: Fundamentals of Still Life

COURSE CODE: SC2504064

COURSE DATES: Monday 17th – Friday 21st August 2026

TUTOR: Joni Duarte

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting


This is an exciting structured course, which aims to help you focus on still life painting techniques. The course structure is designed in a progressive sequence from beginning to end, with specific exercises following on from previous sessions.

Exploring the Portrait

COURSE CODE: SC2504072

COURSE DATES: Monday 17th – Friday 21st August 2026

TUTOR: Charlie Schaffer

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £425

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting, Portraiture

This course will aim at exploring different approaches to making portraits. It will be a mix of using various mediums, as well as looking into varying philosophies as to what a portrait should be and how to go about it.

Sculpture

SCULPTING A PORTRAIT IN CLAY

COURSE CODE: SC2503053

COURSE DATES: Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April 2026

TUTOR: Laura Postle

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Sculpture

Develop skills in anatomy, proportion, and gesture in this sculpting course for those with previous experience in the medium. Working from a life model, you will combine thoughtful observation with hands-on practice to create a fully reclined figure in clay.

Young Artists: Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media (11 – 15)

COURSE CODE: SC2503028

COURSE DATES: Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April 2026

TUTOR: Various Tutors

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11-15, All Levels

FEE: £350

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Painting, Sculpture

In this exciting course for ages 11-15, students will experiment with a range of materials including; paints, textiles, plaster casting and mixed-media. This course aims to help students develop a new range of skills and expand their artistic skillset.

Figure Sculpture

COURSE CODE: SC2504003

COURSE DATES: Monday 20th – Friday 24th July 2026

TUTOR: Anthony Waters

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner

FEE: £420

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Sculpture

This one-week course offers the opportunity to delve into the extraordinary and intriguing subject of the human figure in sculpture. Offering an opportunity to work in clay to make sketches and more established works from a life model, learning techniques to begin your journey into sculpture.

Portrait Sculpture

COURSE CODE: SC2504053

COURSE DATES: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026

TUTOR: Hazel Reeves MRSS SWA FRSA

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All Levels

FEE: £420

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Sculpture

This one-week Portrait Sculpture course offers the opportunity to delve into the extraordinary and intriguing subject of the human figure in sculpture. Offering an opportunity to work in clay to make sketches and more established works from a life model, learning techniques to begin your journey into sculpture

Young Artists: Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media (11 – 14)

COURSE CODE: SC2504128

COURSE DATES: Monday 10th – Friday 14th August 2026

TUTOR: Farnoush Amini MRSS, Gail Seres-Woolfson

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 11 – 14, All Levels

FEE: £395, £595

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture

In this exciting Young Artist course for ages 11 – 14 you will experiment with a range of materials including; paints, textiles, plaster casting and mixed-media. This course aims to help students develop a new range of skills and expand your artistic skillset.

Printmaking

Relief Printing

COURSE CODE: SC2504PR04

COURSE DATES: Monday 13th – Thursday 16th July 2026

TUTOR: Jackie Smith

DAYS: 4

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £320

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Printmaking

This is an introductory course where students will learn relief and intaglio printmaking, and explore the possibilities from both processes. You will develop the skills and knowledge to develop two print editions.

Printmaking: Etching

COURSE CODE: SC2504PR03

COURSE DATES: Monday 27th – Friday 31st July 2026

TUTOR: Frederic Morris RE

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £370

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

SUBJECT: Printmaking

This course welcomes students of all levels to the creative possibilities of etching. Etching is an intaglio printmaking process where the drawing or design is created using acid into a metal plate in order to hold the ink. In this course you will be using a zinc plate, concentrating on achieving hard ground (fine line) combined with soft ground (textural line) in its various forms and possibilities.