Advertisement

Evening Standard Contemporary Art Prize: Where to learn to paint in London

Paintbrushes at the ready: Entries for the Evening Standard Contemporary Art Prize close in just over a month: Shutterstock
Paintbrushes at the ready: Entries for the Evening Standard Contemporary Art Prize close in just over a month: Shutterstock

With entries for the first Evening Standard Contemporary Art Prize closing in just over a month, it’s time to grab your paintbrush and put yourself in the running.

The prize, created in association with Hiscox, will see one artist win £10,000 for a painting inspired by the theme of ‘London’. The winner, to be named at an event at the National Gallery in October, will also receive a year’s free Hiscox Fine Art Insurance and lifetime National Art Pass.

If you’re a budding artist looking to enter but want to brush up on your skills (no pun intended), we’ve rounded up some of the best places to learn to paint in London.

Whether you’re a pure beginner or just looking to develop your work, these classes and courses offer a great way to enjoy creating art in an inspiring, collaborative environment.

If you’re looking for that extra push to enter the prize (entries close on September 24!), read on to find out which is the right art class for you.

Entering the prize and want to know how? Head to standard.co.uk/artprize

London Art Classes

Professional artist Nick Malone, whose work has previously been included in the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition, holds classes in his studio near London Bridge. Group classes include time for studio work as well as lessons on technique and a short film or talk on an artist, and he also offers private tuition and life drawing classes. You can pay as you go, so you can attend as little or often as you like, and all the materials are included in the cost. londonartclasses.com

Hampstead School of Art

There are over 50 types of painting courses to sign up for at Hampstead School of Art. From abstract to portraits, and silk painting to Chinese brush painting, this North London creative spot leaves you spoilt for choice.

Most courses run for around 12 weeks, with classes around 3 hours long and at very good value for money. hampstead-school-of-art.org

The Art Academy

Take a class at the Art Academy that fits into your schedule - you can do weekend or weekend classes and short courses, as well as standard courses. The bonus is that it’s based on Borough High Street, meaning you can pop out for foodie heaven and maybe paint a still life of your lunch. artacademy.org.uk

Sunny Art Centre

Not far from Chancery Lane, this historic road was home to Sir Francis Bacon as well as being where Shakespeare first performed his plays.

But most importantly, it’s a great place to go to drop-in art lessons and courses (there are talks and exhibitions too). It’s a bit more expensive than some, but it comes with a sterling reputation - the centre has collaborated with all the major broadcasters, as well as the Royal Academy and the Southbank Centre. sunnyartcentre.co.uk

Pop-Up Painting

Want something a bit more informal? You can do some painting with a glass of wine in your hand (we’re not sure how that will turn out) with this art company that pops up at restaurants and bars across the country. The events are led by practicing artists and have themes ranging from Hockney to Banksy. popuppainting.com

Royal Drawing School

If you want to practise your sketching before you get the brushes out, the Royal Drawing School holds public courses for all levels. With many of the courses taking place in museums and galleries, the surroundings will provide plenty of inspiration.

Courses are subsidised too, meaning you’ll get top class tuition for a smaller price. royaldrawingschool.org