If you’ve already completed our How to Draw – Beginners course or feel comfort able with the basics, this follow-on course is the perfect way to continue developing your skills. How to Draw – Improvers invites you to explore more advanced techniques, experiment with a wider range of materials, and begin to discover your own artistic style.
In a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, you’ll gain confidence in your creative abilities while learning how to draw with more depth, detail, and personal expression. The sessions are a calm space to unwind, explore, and grow as an artist – no pressure, just progress.
What You’ll Learn
Each week offers a fresh focus designed to sharpen your technical ability and creative approach. During this course, you will:
- Learn to draw more accurately by focusing on what you see, not what you think you see
- Improve your use of proportion, guidelines and grids
- Create more dynamic compositions, including how to set up a still life
- Experiment with new materials: charcoal, graphite, pen and ink, felt tip, pastels, and aquarelles (water-soluble colour pencils)
- Explore basic colour theory and colour mixing
- Understand how to make drawings appear three-dimensional through shading and form
- Learn how paper texture and tone affect your final results
- Let go and explore free, imaginative drawing exercises
- Start to develop your own drawing style with gentle guidance from your tutor
You’ll be encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, and push beyond your comfort zone – all while receiving individual feedback to support your progress.
Benefits of Taking This Course
If you’re ready to move beyond the basics, this course offers the perfect next step. It’s a chance to stretch your skills, explore new materials, and start developing your own artistic voice. Whether you're looking to improve your technique or simply want more time to create in a supportive setting, here’s what you’ll gain:
- Build on your foundation: Expand your skills with new tools, techniques, and creative challenges
- Explore colour: Go beyond black and white and learn the basics of colour mixing and expression
- Grow in confidence: Find your voice as an artist and begin developing your own style
- Experiment freely: Try a variety of mediums and find what works best for you
- Relax and recharge: A calm, creative space to escape the rush of everyday life
- Expert feedback: Learn from experienced tutors who tailor guidance to your personal development
Train your eye, not your imagination
Learn to observe closely and translate real objects onto paper with greater accuracy by focusing on what’s actually there, not what your brain assumes.
Build structure and confidence
Use grids, guidelines, and spatial relationships to create more accurate and well-balanced drawings.
Expand your artistic toolkit
Work with a variety of mediums – charcoal, graphite, pen and ink, felt tips, pastels, and aquarelles – and discover what works best for your personal style.
Introduction to Colour Theory
Learn the basics of colour mixing and how different hues, tones, and combinations can bring emotion and energy into your work.
Develop Your Own Style
With personalised feedback from your tutor, begin to shape a drawing style that feels natural and true to you.
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Sep 2025 - 10 Oct 2025 | Fri | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | Dominic Kennedy | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 18 Oct 2025 | Sat | 10:30-16:30 | 1 day | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £110.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 21 Nov 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | Fri | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 10 Jan 2026 - 24 Jan 2026 | Sat | 14:00-18:00 | 3 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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Useful information
Not necessarily. If you’re confident with the basics of drawing (line, tone, proportion, shading), you’re welcome to join. The course is ideal for those ready to explore more advanced techniques and materials.
You’ll work with a range of drawing media including charcoal, graphite, pen and ink, felt tips, soft pastels, and aquarelles (water-soluble colour pencils). Paper is provided, and you’ll even get to explore how different papers impact your results.
All materials are provided, so you only need to bring yourself. Charcoal and pastel can get messy, so we recommend wearing washable clothes or bringing an apron. We have a few aprons available if you're coming straight from work.
Yes, this is a safe and supportive space to continue developing your skills, no matter your pace. You'll receive friendly feedback and guidance to help you move forward with confidence
Depending on your interests, your tutor may recommend moving on to a themed or specialist course such as:
Drawing on Location
Still Life Drawing
Introduction to Painting
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Sep 2025 - 10 Oct 2025 | Fri | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | Dominic Kennedy | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 18 Oct 2025 | Sat | 10:30-16:30 | 1 day | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £110.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 21 Nov 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | Fri | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 10 Jan 2026 - 24 Jan 2026 | Sat | 14:00-18:00 | 3 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 16 Feb 2026 - 16 Mar 2026 | Mon | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Sep 2025 - 10 Oct 2025 | Fri | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | Dominic Kennedy | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 18 Oct 2025 | Sat | 10:30-16:30 | 1 day | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £110.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 21 Nov 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | Fri | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 10 Jan 2026 - 24 Jan 2026 | Sat | 14:00-18:00 | 3 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Feb 2026 - 16 Mar 2026 | Mon | 18:45-21:15 | 5 weeks | City Academy Art Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £225.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
City Academy's art studio has everything you need to get creative.
All materials, including paper, brushes and other art supplies, will be provided.
ENJOY WITH FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES
City Academy delivers bespoke workshops for groups and teams! Enjoy this course at a time and place to suit you. Whether you're a group of friends or a team looking for a creative activity, get in touch to explore ideas today.
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