Morning, afternoon and evening sessions, Tuesday to Saturday — find your slot and book in three minutes.
Acrylic Painting Courses in London
London’s premium acrylic painting classes — Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced levels.
SUNNY ART CENTRE I COVENT GARDEN
Organisations We’ve Worked With
Sunny Art Centre has worked with leading organisations, universities and cultural institutions in London and internationally.
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The course
Bold, fast-drying and endlessly versatile — acrylic rewards the painter who experiments.
Discover the world of acrylic painting with our acclaimed course, “Acrylic Techniques and Mediums in Painting.” Developed in the 1940s, acrylic paint has become a prized medium for artists, celebrated for its immediacy and versatility.
This course offers an in-depth exploration of techniques bridging the worlds of oil and watercolour, providing ample freedom of expression in both figurative and abstract realms — from colour mixing, brushwork and mark-making to acrylic’s fast-drying nature and multi-layered techniques.
You will also explore the historical evolution of the medium, from the Mexican Muralists to its contemporary global use, and leave recognising the full creative potential of acrylic painting.
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Your tutors
Benefit from world-leading art tutors trained to proficiently work across various media and subjects. Our expert tutors continuously introduce cutting-edge methods and techniques — a commitment that ensures our students’ sustained engagement with art and the Centre’s first-class reputation in London.
As a leader in art education, Sunny Art Centre has become a preferred destination for studying art in London. We have conducted art workshops and painting courses for prestigious institutions including the National Gallery, Royal Academy of Art, Southbank Centre, BBC, ITV, and more.
Central Saint MartinsChelsea College of ArtThe Slade SchoolRoyal Academy of ArtÉcole des Beaux-Arts, ParisAthens Academy of ArtCharles H. Cecil Studios, Florence
Workshops delivered for: The National Gallery · Royal Academy of Art · Southbank Centre · BBC · ITV
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Curriculum
Techniques
Colour mixing, brushwork and mark-making; fast-drying, multi-layered methods that take acrylic far beyond a non-toxic alternative to oil.
History
The evolution of acrylic painting, from the Mexican Muralists to contemporary global practice.
Method
Tutor demonstrations, practical activities, one-to-one guidance and group discussions.
Details
Beginner to advanced in Covent Garden · weekday & weekend timetable · online booking in three minutes · open to all art lovers aged 16+.
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Studying here
Engage in bespoke art education with small-group courses led by expert fine art tutors. Enjoy personalised guidance with a maximum of 10 students per class, on weekdays or weekends. Each course follows a step-by-step structure covering the concepts and techniques of your chosen package.
For each lesson, your workspace is set up for your arrival and the tutor has your specific subject prepared. You receive group or individual demonstrations plus one-to-one expert guidance, and at the end of each class your progress is recorded. Your package integrates into your online account — log in and book any available class in three minutes.
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Timetable & sign up
Now open for enrolment
Course Timetable & Sign Up
Personalised drawing and painting tuition in a small-group studio in Central London. Flexible start dates — join at any time.
- Learn to draw with professional artists
- Small groups, personal guidance at every easel
- Limited spaces available this term
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | 1:30 – 3:30 pm4:00 – 6:00 pm | 6:30 – 8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | — | 4:00 – 6:00 pm | 6:30 – 8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | 1:30 – 3:30 pm4:00 – 6:00 pm | 6:30 – 8:30 pm |
| FridayToday | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | 1:30 – 3:30 pm4:00 – 6:00 pm | 6:30 – 8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 – 11:00 am11:30 am – 1:30 pm | 2:00 – 4:00 pm4:00 – 6:00 pm | — |
Two-hour sessions · book any slot within your package
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Choose your course
Select your preferred programme and purchase your lesson package.
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Access your account
Your lessons are added to your online account after booking.
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Book your classes
Choose your preferred time slots each week.
Two-hour sessionsMaximum 10 students per classAll levels welcomeFlexible schedulingCertificate on completion
How Acrylic Study Progresses at Each Level
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Choose Your Course Package
HOW FAR WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE YOUR ACRYLIC PAINTING?
Every programme gives you access to the same professional tutors, personalised tuition and flexible booking.
The difference is the depth of study, the time available for development and the breadth of the curriculum you can complete.
For students seeking substantial, long-term development, we recommend the 50-lesson Complete Programme.
Most Popular · Best Value50 Lessons100 hours of professional art tuitionValid for 11 monthsProgramme IncludesAcrylic Painting Pack — worth £95 · Certificate of Completion · Flexible online booking · Personalised tutor guidanceChoose 50 Lessons★ 4.7 · 313 Google Reviews
£30.40 per 2-hour class£1,520 total · VAT includedSave £562
What you’ll learn
Upon completion of a full-length beginner’s course for acrylic painting, art students are expected to have a sound knowledge of the foundational elements of composition and technique. This course is also intended to allow the student to experiment with a variety of genres by completing a series of works of selected subjects. Most art students continue into an intermediate level where they can expand upon their technical handling of the medium as well as explore their own unique painterly touch.
40 Lessons80 hours of professional art tuitionValid for 9 monthsProgramme IncludesDrawing Pack — worth £35 · Certificate of Completion · Flexible online booking · Personalised tutor guidanceChoose 40 Lessons★ 4.7 · 313 Google Reviews
£34.88 per 2-hour class£1,395 total · VAT includedSave £230
What you’ll learn
This extended series of lessons will expand upon the basic techniques, allowing students the time to explore the immediacy that makes acrylic paint such a unique medium. Through practice, students will gain confidence in the application of paint and in the creation of a greater sense of form and depth.
20 Lessons40 hours of professional art tuitionValid for 5 monthsProgramme IncludesFlexible online booking · Personalised tutor guidanceChoose 20 Lessons★ 4.7 · 313 Google Reviews
£39.75 per 2-hour class£795 total · VAT included
Materials not included · No certificateWhat you’ll learn
This series of lessons will introduce the student to the materials and basic techniques of acrylic painting. Colour mixing and the basics of paint application and blending will be covered. Experimentation with mark making will be encouraged as the student grows more comfortable with the medium.
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Advantages
Credit, not a timetable
Nothing is spent until you choose a class. A lesson leaves your balance at the moment you book it, so you can paint intensively one month and step back the next without losing anything.
Progress on record
Feedback is written up after each lesson and shared between tutors, so nobody starts from scratch with you. Your history stays on file through any break, and the tutor who welcomes you back already knows your work.
Everything in one account
Your account holds every booking, cancellation and reschedule, with no phone call needed. A 48-hour policy governs changes, so give at least two days’ notice and book early to have the widest choice of sessions.
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Your study plan
Tailored to you
The first lesson is an assessment. A tutor sees how quickly you work, how you mix and how you handle a paint that dries in minutes, then writes a Study Plan around that, from thinned glazes to colour used straight from the tube.
Expert guidance
Tutors with backgrounds from the Royal Academy of Art and Central Saint Martins, and years of international teaching, judge when you move on from underpainting and flat blocking to blending against the clock and building real body and texture.
Intimate classes
With fewer than ten students in the room, a tutor can reach you in the short window before acrylic sets. Every lesson follows your Study Plan, so the room can work at different levels at once.
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Examples of students’ work
Work by our students — from first drawings to gallery-ready pieces.
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Our art tutors
Our tutors have exceptional skills and unparalleled experience when it comes to advising students on their portfolios. They honed their craft at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, exhibit in the UK and internationally, and have appeared in publications and programmes including those of the BBC — qualities that guarantee the high success rate our students achieve in entering the programmes of their choice.
Their extraordinary efforts ensure we continuously deliver bespoke, cutting-edge art tuition — on site at our London studio and remotely online.
Royal College of ArtRoyal Academy of ArtsÉcole des Beaux-Arts, ParisCentral Saint MartinsChelsea College of ArtBartlett School of ArchitectureGoldsmiths, LondonAthens AcademyFlorence Academy of Art
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Frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most, answered. The full list lives on the course FAQ page.
Where can I learn acrylic painting in London?
You can learn acrylic painting at Sunny Art Centre in Covent Garden, Central London. We offer in-person acrylic painting classes for complete beginners, intermediate students and advanced painters, taught in a professional art studio with individual demonstrations, technical guidance and feedback throughout every lesson. Our studio is on Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AW, within walking distance of Covent Garden and Holborn Underground stations. Classes are limited to a maximum of 10 students, so every painter receives regular one-to-one support from a professional artist tutor.
Are your acrylic painting classes suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Our beginner acrylic painting classes are suitable for complete beginners, including people who have never painted before or have not made art since school. You do not need to prepare a portfolio, complete an assessment or bring examples of previous work. During your first lesson, your tutor will discuss your experience and goals before helping you begin with an appropriate exercise or painting subject. You will be introduced gradually to colour theory, colour mixing, brush control, paint application and composition.
Is acrylic painting good for beginners?
Yes. Acrylic is one of the most accessible painting mediums for beginners. It is water-based, dries relatively quickly and can normally be painted over once it is dry. Brushes and palettes can be cleaned with water, and students do not need to use traditional oil-painting solvents. Acrylic can be applied in thin layers or with stronger, more solid colour, making it suitable for learning a wide range of painting techniques. Because every student follows an individual study plan, you will not be expected to work at the same level or speed as everyone else in the class.
Do I need to learn drawing before acrylic painting?
No. You can begin acrylic painting without completing a drawing course first. Basic drawing skills can help with proportion, composition and planning, but your tutor can guide you through the drawing required for each painting project. Some students choose to develop drawing and acrylic painting together, while others focus primarily on painting. If you would like to strengthen the foundations, you can also take a dedicated drawing course alongside your painting.
Is acrylic or oil painting better for beginners?
Both acrylic and oil painting can be suitable for beginners, but they behave differently. Acrylic paint dries quickly, cleans with water and allows you to add new layers during the same lesson. Oil paint dries much more slowly, providing more time for blending and adjusting colours. Acrylic may suit students who prefer quicker drying times, direct colour and simpler cleaning. Oil painting may suit students who prefer gradual blending and traditional techniques. If you are unsure which medium to choose, you can book a free consultation before enrolling.
What is the difference between acrylic and watercolour painting?
Acrylic paint can be applied transparently or opaquely and forms a permanent layer once it has dried, allowing you to build layers, strengthen colours and paint over previous areas. Watercolour is usually transparent, relies more heavily on the white paper to create light, and requires careful control of water, timing and transparency. Acrylic may suit you if you enjoy painting on canvas, layering colours and creating both smooth and textured surfaces. Watercolour may be more suitable if you prefer delicate washes and working on paper.
SUNNY ART CENTRE
Plan your visit
ADDRESS:
Sunny Art Centre, Covent Garden,
Kemble St, London WC2B 4AW
TELEPHONE:
020 8616 5990
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
info@sunnyartcentre.co.uk
OFFICE HOURS:
10am – 6pm, Monday to Friday
Tube
Covent Garden — Piccadilly Line
Holborn — Central / Piccadilly Line
Buses
Aldwych Kingsway (Stop F)
1, 68, 91, 168, 188, N1, N68, N91, N171, SL6
Car parks
Lincoln’s Inn Fields · Urban Parking Shelton Street
NCP Covent Garden · Intelli-Park Covent Garden — all 24/7