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Drawing & Painting

Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or returning to art after a long break, our drawing and painting classes are designed to be welcoming, supportive and beginner-friendly. We start from where you are, helping you build confidence gradually and enjoy the process of making art again. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not creative enough,” our drawing and painting courses are here to prove otherwise.

Drawing and painting aren’t just about learning techniques—they can have a real impact on your wellbeing. Taking time to observe, sketch, mix colours and experiment can be calming and absorbing, offering space to slow down and focus. Many people find that making art helps reduce stress, boosts confidence and supports mental health. “I stopped drawing when I was 12, but picked it up again years later. I’ve learned so much and felt really supported. Now I even sketch to visualise characters in the stories I write.”

Across our drawing and painting courses, you can develop essential skills such as observational drawing, portrait and life drawing, colour mixing, composition and a range of painting techniques, including abstract approaches. We explore different materials and styles in a friendly, encouraging environment, helping you grow creatively at your own pace.

Our Courses

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Drawing and Painting on Location

Learn drawing and painting at various locations across London, including parks, museums, and stations.

Monday, 14:00 to 17:00
20 April 2026 – 13 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0014
Tutor: Nicholas Tonino-Baldion
Location: Off Site
Duration: 11 weeks
Full fee: £322
Concession fee: £159

Portrait

Learn to draw and paint portraits from clothed models, drawings, and photos. Ideal for those interested in portraiture techniques.

Tuesday, 10:00 to 13:00
21 April 2026 – 07 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0032
Tutor: Vincent Milne
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £468
Concession fee: £290

Watercolour: Pen and Ink

Watercolour techniques and ways of combining with pen and ink.

Tuesday, 14:00 to 17:00
21 April 2026 – 07 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0035
Tutor: Joy Girvin
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £369
Concession fee: £191

Portrait L1 & L2

You will create lively portraits from a model. Explore structure, rhythm, and style. Learn from past and present examples.

Tuesday, 18:00 to 21:00
21 April 2026 – 07 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0038
Tutor: John Close
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £408
Concession fee: £230

Drawing: Absolute Beginners

This beginners' course is for anyone wanting to learn basic drawing skills in a friendly and accessible atmosphere.

Tuesday, 10:00 to 13:00
21 April 2026 – 30 June 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0744
Tutor: Nicholas Tonino-Baldion
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 11 weeks
Full fee: £322
Concession fee: £159

Abstract Painting

A practical introduction to abstract art, suitable for beginners and more experienced artists.

Wednesday, 18:00 to 21:00
22 April 2026 – 08 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0053
Tutor: Theokritos Papadopoulos
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £354
Concession fee: £176

Painting: Colour

This course will give you a broad introduction to the uses and theories of colour and a range of materials, including paint, collage and pastels.

Thursday, 10:00 to 13:00
23 April 2026 – 28 May 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0457
Tutor: Anna Robertson
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 6 weeks
Full fee: £177
Concession fee: £88

Inspiration: Henri Matisse

In this one-day workshop you will create one or more artworks inspired by the artist Henri Matisse.

Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00
09 May 2026 – 09 May 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0680
Tutor: Hanelle Levine
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £64
Concession fee: £64

Painting: Colour

This course will give you a broad introduction to the uses and theories of colour and a range of materials, including paint, collage and pastels.

Thursday, 10:00 to 13:00
04 June 2026 – 09 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0867
Tutor: Anna Robertson
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 6 weeks
Full fee: £177
Concession fee: £88

Exploring Trees in Art

In this one day workshop you will create art works inspired by Trees.

Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00
13 June 2026 – 13 June 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0771
Tutor: Hanelle Levine
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £79
Concession fee: £79

Watercolour Encounters; Sea and Rivers inspired by Kurt Jackson.

This course covers Watercolour techniques, colour composition , using glazes and resists.

Saturday, 10:30 to 16:30
27 June 2026 – 27 June 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0842
Tutor: Joy Girvin
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £50
Concession fee: £50

Watercolour Encounters; Watercolours inspired by Raol Dufy

This course covers Watercolour techniques with line in coloured inks, colour composition and movement through line and colour.

Saturday, 10:30 to 16:30
04 July 2026 – 04 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0841
Tutor: Joy Girvin
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £50
Concession fee: £50

Urban sketching

This one-day workshop introduces the practice of urban sketching: drawing directly from observation to record places, spaces and the everyday life of the city. The focus is on sketching as a way of quickly gathering visual information, exploring ideas and developing confidence in working in a sketchbook.

Monday, 10:00 to 16:30
20 July 2026 – 20 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0819
Tutor: Philip Elbourne
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £55
Concession fee: £55

Sight-sized painting/drawing

Learn to draw realistically using the sight size method!

Tuesday, 10:00 to 16:30
21 July 2026 – 21 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0822
Tutor: Nicholas Tonino-Baldion
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £55
Concession fee: £55

Introduction to Drawing

This one-day workshop offers a friendly and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of drawing. It is designed especially for absolute beginners, people who may not have drawn since school, or anyone who would like to refresh and strengthen their basic drawing skills.

Wednesday, 10:00 to 16:30
22 July 2026 – 22 July 2026

Course Detail Enrol
Course Code: AD0827
Tutor: Philip Elbourne
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 1 weeks
Full fee: £55
Concession fee: £55

Drawing: Absolute Beginners

This beginners' course is for anyone wanting to learn basic drawing skills in a friendly and accessible atmosphere.

Monday, 14:00 to 17:00
20 April 2026 – 13 July 2026

This course is now full
Course Detail
Course Code: AD0017
Tutor: Anna Robertson
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 11 weeks
Full fee: £322
Concession fee: £159

Art in Retirement

Use simple, fun techniques, and gain skills and confidence in a range of materials while developing a personal style.

Thursday, 10:00 to 13:00
23 April 2026 – 09 July 2026

This course is now full
Course Detail
Course Code: AD0345
Tutor: Zohreh Korangi
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 12 weeks
Full fee: £162
Concession fee: £162