Morning, afternoon and evening sessions, Tuesday to Saturday — find your slot and book in three minutes.
COURSE
Watercolour Courses in London
London’s premium watercolour 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
Water does half the painting — learning to let it is the art.
Watercolour painting, with its rich history and myriad applications, is an ideal medium for artistic expression. Guided by expert art tutors with backgrounds from esteemed academies worldwide, lessons are tailored to individual needs, providing a bespoke learning journey.
The course covers a spectrum of directions, from traditional landscape painting to imaginative, illustrative or abstract work. Foundational skills — colour theory, tone, composition and principal techniques — are explored in depth, drawing inspiration from renowned 19th and 20th-century watercolour artists.
Structured step by step with illustrations, demonstrations and practical exercises, the course suits absolute beginners and experienced painters alike, and encourages experimentation that expands your technical repertoire.
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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
Wet-on-wet, dry-on-dry and wet-on-dry; colour fading, light and shadow, and the handling of transparency.
Foundations
Colour theory, tone and composition, observation and interpretation, planning and forethought.
Subjects
Landscapes, skies and water, still life, portraiture and figure, imaginative and limited-palette work.
Details
All levels in Covent Garden · weekday & weekend timetable · online booking in three minutes · open to all art lovers aged 16+.
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Studying here
Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned artist, this flexible course caters to students of all levels, with personalised tutor feedback ensuring a supportive learning environment. Classes are small — a maximum of 10 students — with bespoke guidance at every easel.
Each part of the course is accompanied by resources and assignments for a comprehensive learning experience. Your package integrates into your online account — log in and book any available class, on weekdays or weekends, 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 Watercolour Control Builds From Lesson to Lesson
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Choose Your Course Package
HOW FAR WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE YOUR WATERCOLOUR 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 35-lesson Complete Programme.
Most Popular · Best Value35 Lessons70 hours of professional art tuitionValid for 8 monthsProgramme IncludesWatercolour Pack — worth £85 · Certificate of Completion · Flexible online booking · Personalised tutor guidanceChoose 35 Lessons★ 4.7 · 313 Google Reviews
£30.29 per 2-hour class£1,060 total · VAT includedSave £413
What you’ll learn
A full-length beginners course will allow watercolour art students to delve into the foundational aspects of handling this delicate medium. This course is intended to provide the student with a wide range of skills which would serve as the basis of a watercolour portfolio. In fact, upon completion of this course, most students will choose to continue to an intermediate level where they can focus on a specific subject or genre.
25 Lessons50 hours of professional art tuitionValid for 6 monthsProgramme IncludesPremium Drawing Pack — worth £42 · Certificate of Completion · Flexible online booking · Personalised tutor guidanceChoose 25 Lessons★ 4.7 · 313 Google Reviews
£33.60 per 2-hour class£840 total · VAT includedSave £193
What you’ll learn
In this extended beginners course, art students will learn to further vary the application of watercolour paint through layering. Building on the skill set learnt in the early lessons of the course, students will have the opportunity to experiment with layering, opacity, drawing and mark-making.
15 Lessons30 hours of professional art tuitionValid for 4 monthsProgramme IncludesFlexible online booking · Personalised tutor guidanceChoose 15 Lessons★ 4.7 · 313 Google Reviews
£39.67 per 2-hour class£595 total · VAT included
Materials not included · No certificateWhat you’ll learn
This course offers a basic introduction to the techniques and materials involved in watercolour painting, followed by the development of these techniques. Students will learn colour mixing and begin to explore methods of creating differing edges and textures. Discussion of both historical and contemporary masters and practices will inform the development of students’ work.
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Advantages
Credit drawn as you go
Your lessons sit as a balance, and one is drawn down only when you book a class. There is no weekly commitment to keep up with, so you set the rhythm of your own course.
Notes after every lesson
Your tutor records feedback each time you paint, so the next tutor picks up exactly where the last left off. Nothing is lost over a break; your full history is waiting when you come back.
Booked and changed online
Book, cancel and reschedule from your own account rather than by phone or email. The 48-hour policy applies to any change, and the studio fills quickly, so two or three days’ notice serves you best.
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Your study plan
Tailored to you
Your first lesson is an assessment. A tutor watches how you handle water as much as pigment, how wet you work and how you judge the strength of a wash, then writes a bespoke Study Plan from what they see.
Expert guidance
Tutors with backgrounds from the Royal Academy of Art and Central Saint Martins, and years of teaching abroad, stage the plan so that transparency, controlled washes and reserving the white of the paper arrive in the right order.
Intimate classes
Fewer than ten students means a tutor can be at your shoulder in the few minutes a wet-in-wet passage allows. Each lesson follows your Study Plan, so beginners and returning painters can work side by side.
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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 watercolour painting in London?
You can learn watercolour painting at Sunny Art Centre in Covent Garden, Central London. We offer in-person watercolour classes for complete beginners, intermediate students and advanced artists, with individual demonstrations, technical guidance and feedback from experienced artist tutors. Our studio is on Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AW, within walking distance of Covent Garden and Holborn Underground stations. Each two-hour lesson is taught in a small group of no more than 10 students.
Are your watercolour classes suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Our beginner watercolour classes are suitable for complete beginners, including students who have never painted before. You do not need to prepare a portfolio, complete an assessment or bring examples of previous artwork. Your tutor will help you begin with suitable materials, exercises and subjects, guiding you through the essential techniques step by step — colour mixing, brush control, washes, layering, edges, tone and water control.
Do I need any previous painting experience?
No previous drawing or painting experience is required. Your tutor will assess your current level and recommend a suitable starting point. Complete beginners can begin with simple exercises, while students with previous experience can work on more advanced techniques and personal projects. Each student follows an individual study plan, so you will not be expected to work at the same level or speed as everyone else.
Do I need to be able to draw before learning watercolour?
No. You do not need strong drawing skills before starting watercolour painting. Basic drawing can help with proportion, composition and planning, but your tutor can guide you through the drawing required for each project, and many students develop their drawing and painting skills at the same time. Students who want to build a stronger foundation can also combine watercolour study with a separate drawing course.
Is watercolour painting difficult for beginners?
Watercolour can feel challenging because the paint is transparent, moves with the water and can be difficult to cover once it has dried. However, these qualities become easier to manage when you understand water control, timing, pigment strength and layering. Your tutor will demonstrate each technique and help you recognise how wet the paper and brush should be at different stages. Beginners are not expected to create a perfect finished painting immediately — the course develops control and confidence gradually through practical exercises and guided projects.
Is watercolour easier than acrylic painting?
Watercolour and acrylic have different advantages. Watercolour is transparent, portable and easy to clean, but it requires careful control of water and planning of the light areas. Acrylic is more opaque and can usually be painted over, making corrections easier. Watercolour may suit you if you enjoy luminous colour, delicate layers and expressive washes on paper. Acrylic may suit you if you prefer stronger coverage, thicker paint and more freedom to make changes. You can book a free consultation if you are unsure which medium is most suitable.
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