Art Courses in London — FAQ

You can study art in London at Sunny Art Centre, a classical art school in Covent Garden, central London (Kemble Street, WC2B 4AW). We teach drawing, watercolour, acrylic and oil painting to all levels — from absolute beginners to advanced students — in small, tutor-led groups, and we are rated 4.7 out of 5 from over 300 Google reviews.

Courses include beginner intensives, part-time evening and weekend short courses, life drawing and portrait painting, children's and teens' classes, portfolio preparation for art-school applications, and one-to-one private tuition. Teaching is observation-based and traditional, you can start at any time, and you book online.

Yes. Complete beginners are very welcome at Sunny Art Centre. You do not need any previous experience, existing artwork or natural “talent” to join our art classes.

Many students come to us because they want to start properly from the beginning and learn drawing or painting step by step. Our tutors give individual guidance during the lesson, so each student works at a suitable level.

Beginners can focus on essential foundations such as observation, proportion, tone, composition, colour mixing and brush control. More experienced students can work on advanced projects and receive more detailed technical feedback.

This makes our art classes suitable for complete beginners, improvers and experienced artists at the same time. If you are unsure where to begin, we usually recommend starting with drawing, acrylic painting, watercolour or oil painting, depending on your interests and goals.

Sunny Art Centre is based in Covent Garden, Central London. Our studio is located at Bruce House, Kemble Street, London, WC2B 4AW.

The location is convenient for students travelling from across London, especially those looking for art classes near Covent Garden, Holborn, Soho, Bloomsbury, King’s Cross, Charing Cross, Leicester Square or the West End.

Because we are in Central London, many students attend our art courses before work, after work, during the day or at weekends. The studio is also close to galleries, museums, theatres and cultural institutions, making Covent Garden an inspiring location to study art.

Our central location is especially helpful for students looking for flexible art courses in London that are easy to reach by Underground, bus or train.

Classes are held at Sunny Art Centre, Kemble Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4AW, within easy reach of several Underground stations and transport links.

Nearest Underground stations

Covent Garden: Piccadilly line
Holborn: Central and Piccadilly lines

Nearby bus stop

Aldwych/Kingsway, Stop F
Routes: 1, 68, 91, 168, 188, N1, N68, N91, N171 and SL6

Nearby car parks

Lincoln’s Inn Fields Car Park — open 24 hours
Urban Parking, Shelton Street — open 24 hours
NCP London Covent Garden — open 24 hours
Intelli-Park Covent Garden — open 24 hours

Our central London location makes it convenient to attend art classes after work, during the daytime or at weekends.

Sunny Art Centre offers a wide range of art courses in London, including drawing, oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolour painting, life drawing, portrait drawing and painting, Chinese painting, children’s art classes, teen art classes, portfolio preparation and private one-to-one tuition.

Students can choose a course based on their level, preferred medium and long-term goals. For example, a complete beginner may start with drawing, acrylic painting or watercolour, while someone interested in traditional techniques may prefer oil painting, life drawing or portrait painting.

Students preparing for art school, university, foundation courses, GCSE, A-Level or IB Art may benefit from portfolio preparation or private tuition.

Each course is taught by professional tutors and can be adapted to the student’s level. This means you do not need to fit into a rigid class structure; the tutor will help guide your learning according to your needs.

For complete beginners, drawing is often the best starting point because it teaches the foundations that support almost all visual art. Drawing helps you understand observation, proportion, shape, line, tone and composition.

However, the best course also depends on what excites you. If you are interested in colour and painting, acrylic painting can be a friendly first medium because it dries quickly and is easier to correct. Watercolour is beautiful and accessible, although it requires patience and control. Oil painting is ideal for students interested in traditional techniques, rich colour and slower blending.

There is no single correct starting point for everyone. The best beginner art course is the one that matches your goals, confidence and interests. If you are unsure, a consultation can help you choose the most suitable route.

The right art course depends on your current level, interests and reason for learning. If you are a complete beginner, drawing is often a strong place to start because it builds observation, proportion, tone, composition and confidence.

However, you can also begin directly with oil painting, acrylic painting or watercolour if you are especially interested in a particular medium. If your goal is to paint portraits, still life or landscapes, oil painting or acrylic painting may be suitable. If you prefer a lighter and more fluid medium, watercolour may be a good choice.

If you are preparing for art school, university, GCSE, A-Level or IB Art, portfolio preparation or private tuition may be more appropriate.

If you are unsure, we recommend booking a consultation so we can understand your goals and advise you on the best route.

Oil paint is rich, slow-drying and highly flexible. It is excellent for blending, layering, glazing and traditional painting techniques. Oil painting is often ideal for students interested in realism, portraiture, still life, figure painting and Old Master-inspired techniques.

Acrylic paint is water-based, fast-drying and versatile. It is practical for beginners because it dries quickly, is easier to clean and can be used in many different ways, from thin layers to thicker textures.

Watercolour is transparent, light and fluid. It requires careful control of water, timing and paper. It is excellent for sketchbooks, landscapes, botanical studies, illustration and atmospheric painting.

Each medium has its own character. If you are unsure which medium to choose, think about the type of artwork you enjoy most, or book a consultation so we can advise you.

Sunny Art Centre combines flexible booking with serious artistic training. Our students can attend classes around their schedule while still receiving structured, individual guidance from professional artist tutors.

Unlike large classes where everyone follows exactly the same project, our teaching is personalised. Each student works at a suitable level, receives feedback during the lesson and can progress through drawing, oil painting, acrylic, watercolour, life drawing or portfolio preparation according to their goals.

Our Covent Garden location, small class sizes, traditional drawing and painting focus, flexible timetable and professional tutor support make Sunny Art Centre a strong choice for anyone looking for art courses in Central London.

Whether you are a complete beginner, hobbyist, portfolio student or experienced artist, we aim to help you develop real skills and confidence in a supportive studio environment.

No. Natural talent can help, but it is not the most important factor. Drawing and painting are practical skills that can be taught, developed and improved through structured practice.

Many people believe they “cannot draw” because they were never taught how to observe properly. Once you learn how to measure proportion, compare shapes, understand tone and simplify complex forms, drawing becomes much more manageable.

Painting also becomes easier when you understand colour mixing, layering, edges, brushwork, materials and composition.

Our tutors help students break these skills down step by step, so you can develop confidence even if you do not consider yourself naturally artistic. Patience, regular practice and good guidance are much more important than being “born talented”.

Drawing is a very useful foundation for painting because it helps you understand proportion, structure, composition and tone. Many painters benefit from strong drawing skills, especially if they want to paint portraits, figures, still life or realistic subjects.

However, you do not always have to complete a drawing course before starting painting. Some students prefer to begin directly with oil painting, acrylic or watercolour and learn drawing skills alongside the painting process.

If your goal is long-term artistic development, we usually recommend including drawing in your training. Drawing strengthens your observation and gives you more control over your paintings.

If your main interest is a specific painting medium, your tutor can still help you build the relevant drawing skills as part of the course.

Yes. Our art courses are flexible, so you do not usually need to wait for a fixed term to begin.

After purchasing a course package, your lesson credits will be added to your online student account. You can then book available lessons through the timetable and choose the sessions that suit your schedule.

This flexible structure is helpful for students who work full-time, travel often, study at university or need to fit art classes around family commitments. You can attend different class times depending on your availability and the spaces available.

We recommend booking lessons in advance because popular times, especially evening and weekend classes, can become full. A confirmed online booking is required before attending a lesson.

No. One of the advantages of studying at Sunny Art Centre is that you can book classes flexibly rather than being tied to the same fixed weekly time.

Once your course package is active, you can log in to your online student account and book available sessions. This is ideal for students looking for flexible art classes in London, especially those with changing work, travel or family schedules.

You may attend weekday, evening or weekend classes depending on your course, tutor availability and the current timetable.

Although you can book flexibly, we still recommend attending regularly if possible. Consistent practice helps you build skills faster and allows your tutor to follow your progress more closely.

Yes. Sunny Art Centre offers evening and weekend art classes in London, depending on the current timetable, course type and tutor availability.

Evening art classes are popular with working professionals, university students and people who want to study after work. Weekend art classes are ideal for students who cannot attend during the week or who want to develop their art practice alongside other commitments.

Because evening and weekend places can be popular, we recommend booking in advance through your online student account. A confirmed booking is required before attending the studio.

If you are only available on certain evenings or weekends, please check the latest timetable or contact us before purchasing so we can advise you on the most suitable course package.

Our group art classes are small, with a maximum of around 10 students. This allows tutors to spend time with each student and provide personal feedback during the lesson.

Most regular group lessons are 2 hours long. Private tuition, portfolio preparation and bespoke programmes may have different lesson lengths depending on the student’s needs and the agreed schedule.

Small class sizes are especially important in art education because students need individual guidance, not just general demonstrations. A beginner may need help with basic drawing structure, while an advanced student may need advice on colour harmony, composition, brushwork or finishing techniques.

By keeping groups small, we create a focused studio environment where students receive meaningful support while still benefiting from the atmosphere of learning alongside others.

Materials are not generally included unless the course description specifically says otherwise. Most students bring their own materials, such as paper, sketchbooks, pencils, paints, brushes, canvases or other tools depending on the course.

To make this easier, Sunny Art Centre offers carefully selected art materials packs for students who would like to arrive fully prepared. These packs are designed to include the essential materials needed for your chosen course, helping beginners avoid buying unnecessary or unsuitable products.

You can view and add materials packs here:
Add Art Materials

Each course also has a recommended materials list, and our team can advise you before your first lesson. If you are unsure what to bring, please contact us before your class so we can help you choose the right materials and prepare properly.

Yes. Individual feedback is central to the way we teach at Sunny Art Centre.

Our tutors work closely with each student, helping them understand what needs improvement and how to move forward. Feedback may include drawing corrections, demonstrations, advice on tone, colour, composition, brushwork, materials, proportion or the overall direction of your project.

For beginners, this helps build confidence and prevents bad habits from forming. For more advanced students, it helps refine technique and develop a stronger personal artistic direction.

Because every student learns differently, personal feedback is one of the most valuable parts of studying in a small art school environment. You will not simply be left alone to practise; your tutor will guide you according to your level, goals and chosen medium.

Yes. You can cancel or reschedule a booked class by logging in to your online student account and going to your dashboard, where you can manage your bookings.

Students need to give at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule a booked class. If you cancel within the required notice period, your lesson credit can usually be returned to your account for future use.

Late cancellations or missed lessons may result in the loss of that lesson credit. This policy helps us manage tutor time, class capacity and fairness for other students who may want to book the space.

All bookings, cancellations and rescheduling should be managed through your online student account. We recommend planning ahead and cancelling early if you know you cannot attend.

Yes. Course credits have a validity period, and the length depends on the package purchased. The validity period should be checked before booking, and all lessons must be booked and completed before the expiry date.

Credit validity is important because it allows us to manage class capacity, tutor scheduling and course administration fairly for all students.

Unused lessons may expire after the validity period, so we strongly recommend planning your bookings in advance and choosing a package that fits your availability.

Extensions or freezes may be considered only in exceptional circumstances and are not automatic. If you are unsure how often you can attend, please speak to us before purchasing so we can recommend a suitable package.

This depends on the package. Some packages may allow family or sibling sharing if this is agreed in advance, while other packages are assigned to one named student only.

Please confirm the sharing rules before purchasing if you plan for more than one person to use the credits. This is especially important for parents booking for siblings, or families who want to attend classes together.

Once a package has been purchased, the terms of that package will apply, so it is always better to check in advance.

If sharing is possible for your chosen package, our team can explain how the credits can be used and how bookings should be managed.

Yes. Sunny Art Centre offers portfolio preparation for students applying to art schools, foundation courses, university degrees, GCSE, A-Level, IB Art or other creative pathways.

Portfolio preparation may include drawing and painting development, sketchbook work, idea generation, research, experimentation, project planning, final pieces, presentation and interview preparation.

A strong portfolio should show more than finished artwork. It should demonstrate how you think, research, develop ideas, test materials and refine your work over time.

Our tutors help students build a more personal, thoughtful and technically confident portfolio. We can support students applying to a range of art and design courses, but admission decisions are always made by the schools or universities themselves.

Yes. Sunny Art Centre offers art classes for children and teenagers, including drawing, painting, creative projects, technical training and portfolio support depending on the student’s age and goals.

Children’s art education should be both enjoyable and structured. We aim to help younger students build real drawing and painting skills while encouraging imagination, confidence and personal expression.

Teenagers may attend suitable teen classes, portfolio preparation or private tuition depending on their age, maturity, level and goals. Teen students often come to us to improve technical skills, prepare for GCSE or A-Level Art, build a portfolio or develop a more serious artistic practice.

For younger students, please check the course age guidance before booking, or contact us so we can recommend the most suitable option.

If you are unsure which course is right for you, we recommend booking a consultation with Sunny Art Centre. We can discuss your level, goals, availability and preferred medium, then help you choose the most suitable art course in London.

Whether you are a complete beginner, a returning artist, a parent looking for children’s art classes, a teenager preparing for art school, or an experienced painter wanting to refine your technique, we will be happy to guide you.