Summer School - Art Academy

Summer at the Art Academy

Discover the perfect place to nurture your artistic passion this Summer at The Art Academy. Located in the heart of London, next to the iconic Tate Modern, our Summer 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

Wheel Throwing For All Levels: Bowls and Vases

COURSE CODE: SC2504C014

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

TUTOR: Violaine Verry

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

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

SUBJECT: Ceramics

An introduction to the fundamental skills of making pots on the pottery wheel. This is the perfect course for total beginners or those with a little experience who want to practice their core skills. You will start by learning the basics of making bowls on the potters wheel, before moving on to using more clay to create a bigger bowl. Sessions are held in our new purpose built Ceramics studio, where we like to create a fun environment. It is a very messy activity, so please wear old clothes and cut your nails short. This is a fun introductory course on wheel throwing, covering the core skills of centering, opening and pulling a small lump of clay (starting with 500g of clay per piece, working up to 600g – 800g). You will neaten your pots through a process called trimming, and learn some slip decorating techniques. The course includes having 5 of your best pots fired for you to glaze, which can be collected after the course is complete. Learning to use the wheel proficiently is a physical skill which takes time to build. This course will provide a strong foundation in your wheel throwing journey.
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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.  
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Painting

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.    
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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.
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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: Drawing, Portraiture

Exploring the Portrait is a dynamic and thought-provoking mixed media course that invites you to question, expand, and reimagine what a portrait can be.
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Sculpture

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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Contact our short course team if you have any questions or need any help: [email protected]

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At the Art Academy, we offer a wide range of courses across the Fine Art disciplines; ceramics, drawing, digital art, sculpture, painting and printmaking, designed to support artists at every stage of their creative journey.
Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to refine your existing practice, our courses provide the skills, guidance and environment needed to develop confidence and explore new ideas.

Across all disciplines, our courses are taught by experienced artists in a collaborative and inclusive environment. At the Art Academy, we believe in the value of creative education and its ability to inspire, connect and transform.

In ceramics, students have the opportunity to learn a wide range of techniques, including hand-building, glazing and wheel throwing. Working with clay is both tactile and rewarding, offering a slower, more meditative creative process. Our purpose-built studio provides a welcoming and supportive environment, where students can develop their ideas, receive constructive feedback and gain confidence in their making.

Drawing underpins all artistic practice, and our courses focus on observation, mark-making and visual understanding. From life drawing to experimental approaches, students are supported in developing both technical skill and individual expression.

Our sculpture courses are designed to ignite creativity while teaching essential techniques for creating compelling three-dimensional work. From clay modelling to mixed media construction, students are encouraged to experiment with form, structure and material. Our tutors are practising artists with extensive knowledge of both traditional and contemporary approaches, offering insight and support throughout the process.

Our painting courses explore colour, composition and technique across a variety of media, including oil, acrylic and watercolour. Students are guided through both observational and expressive approaches, helping them to build a personal visual language while developing strong technical foundations.

Our portraiture courses offer you a unique opportunity to learn from practicing portrait artists, many of them eminent in the field of portraiture, including members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and artists whose work appears in national collections including the National Portrait Gallery.

Through printmaking, students can engage with a rich and versatile discipline that includes techniques such as etching, lino cut and wood cut. These courses encourage experimentation and process-led learning, allowing students to explore texture, layering and repetition while producing unique and editioned works.