Beginner Art Courses: Frequently Asked Questions

No previous experience is needed. Our beginner art courses are designed for students who are new to drawing or painting, as well as those who have studied before but would like to rebuild their confidence from the basics.

Your tutor will guide you step by step and help you work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Yes. Many of our students join as complete beginners. You do not need to know how to draw, paint or use art materials before starting.

Our tutors will help you understand the fundamentals, including observation, proportion, tone, colour, composition and basic techniques depending on the course you choose.

If you are completely new, we recommend beginning with a beginner drawing course or booking a free consultation so we can advise you personally.

If you already know which medium you want to study, you can choose a drawing, oil painting, acrylic or watercolour course and begin from there.

Yes. We are happy to advise you before you book.

You can contact our team or book a free consultation to discuss your level, interests, materials and the best course option for you.

No. Art is a skill that can be developed through practice, guidance and patience. You do not need to feel “talented” before joining.

Our courses focus on helping students build strong foundations, understand techniques clearly, and develop confidence over time.

You can begin by choosing a suitable beginner course, booking a free consultation, or contacting our team for advice.

We will help you find the right starting point and guide you through your first steps with confidence.

You are welcome to join for any reason. Some students come for relaxation and personal enjoyment, while others want to develop strong technical skills or prepare for future creative study.

Our tutors will adapt their guidance to your personal goals.

Sunny Art Centre offers small group teaching, individual tutor feedback, flexible booking and a supportive studio environment.

Beginners are guided step by step, while still having the freedom to develop their own interests and creative direction over time.

You do not need to prepare any artwork in advance. However, it can be helpful to think about what you would like to learn, such as drawing, oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolour, portraiture, still life or general foundation skills.

If you already have previous artwork, you are welcome to bring images of it so your tutor can better understand your level.

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.

No, you do not need to buy every possible material before your first class.

We recommend choosing one of our course options that includes a materials pack, especially if you are a beginner and are unsure what to prepare.

Alternatively, when you click “Book Now” on the course page, you will be redirected to the next page where you can view the recommended materials packages. These packs have been designed by our art tutors specifically for each course, so students can prepare the correct materials without unnecessary spending.

If you are unsure which materials package is suitable for your course, please contact us before your first lesson and we will be happy to advise you.

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

Yes. We have an on-site materials shop at the studio, where students can purchase essential materials for each course.

Students can also order materials online through our website and collect them at the studio. This can be a convenient option if you would like to prepare your materials in advance before your class.

Our materials are selected to support the needs of our drawing and painting courses, making it easier for students to prepare correctly without unnecessary spending.

Please note that stock may vary, so if you require specific materials, we recommend checking with us before your class.

Yes. The studio provides easels, tables and basic studio furniture for use during class.

Students are still expected to bring their own personal art materials unless otherwise stated in the course description.

Drawing is often the best foundation for painting because it helps you understand proportion, structure, light, shadow and composition. However, you do not always need to complete a drawing course before starting painting.

If your main interest is painting, your tutor can still introduce drawing principles as part of your painting practice.

Drawing focuses on observation, line, tone, proportion and structure. It is a strong foundation for all visual art.

Oil painting is ideal for students interested in traditional painting techniques, depth, blending and classical approaches.

Acrylic painting is flexible, fast-drying and suitable for students who want to explore colour, composition and modern painting methods.

Watercolour is lighter and more fluid, and is suitable for students who enjoy delicate washes, transparency and expressive mark-making.

If you are completely new to art, beginner drawing is often the best starting point. It helps you build confidence with observation, proportion, tone and form.

If you are more interested in colour and painting, you may prefer to start with oil painting, acrylic painting or watercolour. Each medium has a different character, and our team can help you choose the most suitable option.

If you have purchased a course in a specific medium, such as oil painting, acrylic, watercolour or drawing, your lessons will need to follow the medium you selected at the time of booking. Course packages cannot usually be changed to a different medium after purchase.

If you are unsure which medium you would like to study, we recommend starting with a smaller introductory package before committing to a longer course. Our Introduction to Painting and Drawing for Beginners course is a good option if you would like to explore the basics and receive guidance before choosing a more specific pathway.

You can view the introductory course here:

Introduction to Drawing & Painting 

For complete beginners, we often recommend starting with drawing first, as it helps build essential skills in observation, proportion, composition and confidence before moving into painting.

Yes. If you are unsure which course is right for you, we recommend booking a free consultation with our team.

During the consultation, we can discuss your level, interests, goals and availability, then recommend the most suitable course or learning pathway.

In your first lesson, your tutor will usually begin by understanding your current level, interests and goals. They may ask whether you have studied art before, what kind of work you would like to create, and which materials or techniques you are interested in.

You will then begin with a suitable exercise or project. Your tutor will provide demonstrations, explanations and one-to-one feedback during the class.

Our classes are taught in small groups with individual tutor guidance. Students may work on different exercises or projects depending on their level and goals.

The tutor will circulate during the class, giving demonstrations, corrections, advice and feedback to each student.

The classes are structured but personalised. Beginners can follow a clear foundation pathway, while students with more experience may work on individual projects.

This means you can build skills step by step while still receiving guidance that suits your own level and interests.

Not necessarily. Our group classes often include students of different levels, including complete beginners, improvers and more experienced students.

Because the teaching is personalised, each student works on suitable exercises or projects based on their own level and goals.

You can book your course online through our website. After purchasing a package, you will be able to book your lessons through your online account.

All students must book their lessons before attending class.

No. Our group courses are designed to be flexible, so students can usually choose different class times each week depending on their availability and our current timetable.

Students can log in to their online account, access the live timetable, and book their preferred time slot each week.

All bookings are subject to availability, so we recommend booking in advance whenever possible.

Yes. Many students start with beginner exercises and gradually move on to more advanced projects, such as portraiture, figure drawing, still life, landscape, oil painting techniques, colour studies or personal projects.

Your tutor will help you progress step by step.

Not always. Because our classes are personalised, students may work on different exercises, subjects or media within the same session.

This flexible structure allows beginners and more experienced students to learn in the same class while still receiving suitable guidance.

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.

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

Yes. Our studio is located in central London and is easy to reach by public transport.

The nearest Underground stations are:

Covent Garden — Piccadilly line
Holborn — Central and Piccadilly lines

The nearby bus stop is Aldwych/Kingsway, Stop F, served by routes 1, 68, 91, 168, 188, N1, N68, N91, N171 and SL6.

There are also several nearby car parks, including:

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 for students to attend art classes after work, during the daytime or at weekends.

This depends on the course you choose. For drawing courses, students usually need basic materials such as paper, pencils, an eraser and other drawing tools. For painting courses, you may need paints, brushes, surfaces and course-specific materials.

Each course has a recommended materials list, and we will be happy to advise you before your first lesson if you are unsure what to bring.

To make preparation easier, we also offer a recommended art materials pack, which includes essential materials suitable for students starting their course with us. This is especially helpful for beginners who may not yet know which materials to buy.

You can view and purchase our materials pack here:
Art Materials Packs 

We recommend preparing your materials before your first class so you can get the most out of your lesson from the beginning.

Yes. We have an on-site materials shop at the studio, where students can purchase essential materials for each course.

Students can also order materials online through our website and collect them at the studio. This is a convenient option if you would like to prepare your materials in advance before your class.

Our tutors have also designed recommended materials packages for each course, helping students prepare the correct materials without unnecessary spending.

Please note that stock may vary, so if you require specific materials, we recommend checking with us before your class.

Yes. You can cancel or reschedule your class through your online account, but you must give at least 48 hours’ notice.

Late cancellations or missed classes may result in the lesson credit being lost.

If you miss a booked class without cancelling in time, the lesson may still be counted as used. This is because the space has been reserved for you and may not be available to another student at short notice.

Please always manage your bookings through your online account.

Yes. Course credits have a validity period depending on the package purchased. All lessons must be booked and completed before the expiry date.

We recommend checking the validity period before purchasing and planning your lessons in advance.

Progress depends on your starting level, how often you attend, and how much you practise between lessons.

Many students begin to notice improvement after a few classes, especially in observation, confidence and understanding of basic techniques.

Yes. Our tutors can help you build a longer-term study plan based on your goals, whether you want to improve as a hobby, develop a personal style, prepare a portfolio or study traditional techniques in more depth.

Yes. Students with personal projects are welcome to bring them to class. Your tutor can advise you on composition, technique, materials and next steps.

For complete beginners, we may recommend starting with foundation exercises before moving into personal projects.

Yes. Many students begin with foundation drawing or painting before moving into portfolio preparation.

If your long-term goal is to apply for art school or develop a portfolio, please let us know so we can recommend the most suitable pathway.

Our art short courses in drawing, watercolour, acrylic painting and oil painting are designed for adults. The minimum age requirement for these adult courses is 17 years old.

For students under 16, we offer dedicated Children and Teen Art Courses on Sundays, as well as seasonal summer art courses and half-term art courses for children and teenagers.

If you are unsure which course is most suitable, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to advise.

Yes. Sunny Art Centre offers dedicated children’s and teenagers’ art classes.

These classes are separate from the adult beginner courses and are designed to support young students with age-appropriate teaching and projects.

We offer dedicated Children and Teen Art Courses on Sundays, as well as seasonal summer art courses and half-term art courses for children and teenagers.

If you are unsure which course is most suitable, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to advise.

Children must be properly checked in with the tutor or staff member before the parent or guardian leaves. Parents should not simply leave children at the front door without confirming attendance with the tutor.

This is important for safeguarding and student safety.

Yes. Private art tuition is available for students who prefer one-to-one guidance, have specific goals, or want a more intensive learning experience.

Private lessons can be especially helpful if you want focused support, faster progress, or a programme designed around your personal schedule.