Autumn Courses To Help You Become A Renaissance Man, October 2026
We do this article every so often to try and whet your appetite for something new. One's life can take the form of a washing machine, going round and round, with no time to rinse and dry out that brain of yours. Here, these courses offer you a moment to yourself, where one can try and add a string to what I imagine is an already overcrowded bow, but who wouldn't like to know more about ironwork, joinery or framing?
London
Over a year across three 10-week terms, this V&A course explores European art from 1650 to 1930, from Baroque and Rococo through to Impressionism, Modernism and Surrealism. Expert led lectures, gallery talks and object study sessions explore key artists, movements and their wider cultural contexts.
Price: £1,600
The Story of European Art at the V&A 1650 to 1930, V&A Academy The Story of European Art at the V&A 1650 to 1930, V&A Academy
South
Led by portrait artist Wendy Barratt at West Dean, this practical oil painting course explores capturing both the likeness and character of a sitter. Working from a live model, develop observational skills, experiment with mark-making and painting techniques, and create finished portraits with demonstrations, group tuition and one-to-one guidance.
Price: £461
Online
This online study day explores the hidden stories held within historic clothing and accessories, uncovering traces of their makers and wearers. Through object-based research, participants will discover how fashion can reveal new insights into the past and inspire creative work.
Price: £49
South
Led by blacksmith Joe Tyler at West Dean, this practical course explores historical blacksmithing techniques from the Saxon and Viking eras. Learn traditional forging skills while creating authentic-style ironwork such as medieval hinges, cooking utensils, hooks or arrowheads.
Price: £234
London
This in person course explores the work and cultural impact of revolutionary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, from her celebrated couture to collaborations with artists including Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. Discover iconic garments, accessories and jewellery, alongside exclusive insight into the V&A exhibition Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art.
Price: £100
Online
This five week online course explores Georgian art and architecture, from grand country houses, gardens and the Grand Tour to the flourishing art scene of Hanoverian London. Discover classical architecture, decorative arts, the founding of the Royal Academy and the rise of fashionable resorts across Britain.
Price: £125
London
This 10 week course at Leighton House explores the achievements of British women artists from the Victorian era to the early 20th century. Discover artists including Evelyn De Morgan, Gwen John, Vanessa Bell and Laura Knight, while examining how women built successful artistic careers despite the social and institutional barriers of the period.
Price: £266
Online
This 10 week online course introduces hundreds of years of European art history, from Classical and Medieval art to Impressionism, Cubism and beyond. Led by V&A experts, it explores key artistic styles and movements alongside the social, historical and technological changes that shaped them.
Price: £250
London
Led by textile conservator Rebecca Bissonnet and art historian Francesca Herrick, this West Dean study day explores the care and preservation of historic textiles. Learn key conservation techniques, pest management and restoration principles before visiting the V&A to explore historic tapestries, embroideries and other textiles in the collection.
Price: £185
London
This four evening practical woodworking course introduces essential joinery techniques, including biscuit joints, mortise and tenon joints, mitres and dovetails. Participants will work with hand tools and machinery while developing practical skills for furniture making, framing and their own woodworking projects.
Price: £205
West Midlands
This intensive half day course is designed for those who have already completed the three day gilding course. Learn how to make compositions, create moulds, and take casts to replace and gild missing sections of ornate frames.
Price: £120
West
Led by RHS Gold Medal-winning botanical artist Laura Silburn at RHS Garden Rosemoor, this three-day workshop explores botanical drawing and watercolour painting inspired by autumnal fruit and vegetables from the garden. Learn step-by-step techniques for drawing, light and shade, colour and tone to create your own detailed botanical artwork.
Price: £250
London
This two day art history course explores Shakespeare’s influence on visual culture, from Georgian Britain and Victorian fairy painting to film and contemporary art. Led by academics, curators and artists, talks explore the supernatural, Shakespearean characters and the many ways his works have inspired artists across centuries.
Price: £420
South
Led by artist and designer maker Moji Salehi, this full day workshop explores hand painted lampshade making, inspired by Charleston’s colourful interiors and gardens. Experiment with flowers, patterns, expressive brushwork and bold colours before constructing your own unique lampshade, with a tour of Charleston and lunch included.
Price: £150
London
Led by writer and artist Katerina Knight at the Garden Museum, this evening workshop celebrates her debut book Stitching with Nature. Using homegrown, dried flowers, participants will explore botanical embroidery and create a small stitched keepsake, alongside a presentation, displays of Katerina’s work and a seed swap.
Price: £35
London
This practical workshop, led by Fiona Fouhy, introduces monotype printmaking, a flexible technique used to create unique, painterly prints. Experiment with inks, textures and mark-making tools to create depth and tone, suitable for complete beginners and experienced printmakers alike.
Price: £94
Monoprint: Monotype, East London Printmakers Monoprint: Monotype, East London Printmakers Monoprint: Monotype, East London Printmakers
London
This two hour pottery workshop introduces the fundamentals of wheel throwing in a professional ceramics studio, suitable for complete beginners and those with some previous experience. In a small group with individual guidance, participants will learn to prepare and centre clay, form and refine vessels, and create simple bowls and cylinders.
Price: £75
Ceramics Sculpture Studio Ceramics Sculpture Studio
North
The Homeware Series: Ceramic Tulip Vase, 17th October, The Art House, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
Led by ceramicist Hannah Way at The Art House, this hands-on workshop uses ceramic handbuilding techniques to create a unique tulip vase. Explore form, proportion, carving, texture and glazing before your finished piece is kiln-fired by the studio team.
Price: £50
The Homeware Series: Ceramic Tulip Vase, The Art House The Homeware Series: Ceramic Tulip Vase, The Art House The Homeware Series: Ceramic Tulip Vase, The Art House
South
Led by sculptor Jon Edgar at West Dean, this three-day course explores creating life-sized portrait heads in terracotta while working directly from live models. Develop observation and clay-modelling skills to capture form, character and likeness, before learning how to hollow, prepare, fire, mount and finish your sculpture.
Price: £655
London
Led by stone carver Tom Nicholls at London Stone Carving, this two-day weekend course introduces the fundamental skills and techniques of carving stone by hand. With small class sizes and individual tuition, participants can develop their own piece while learning skills spanning decorative, sculptural and lettering techniques.
Price: £325
An Introduction To Stone Carving, London Stone Carving An Introduction To Stone Carving, London Stone Carving An Introduction To Stone Carving, London Stone Carving
North
Led by textile printmaker Aidan Liggins at The Art House, this hands on workshop explores block printing and repeat pattern design on fabric. Learn how to carve your own printing block and experiment with composition, shape and colour to create unique fabric samples to take home.
Price: £65
Pattern Play With Block Printing, The Art House Pattern Play With Block Printing, The Art House Pattern Play With Block Printing, The Art House
London
Led by artist Michelle Maddox at The Gallery at Green & Stone, this hands-on oil painting masterclass explores found and everyday objects through colour, form and atmosphere. Working alla prima, experiment with muted palettes, warm and cool greys and whites, and colour-mixing techniques, suitable for beginners and experienced oil painters.
Price: £140
Painting Found Objects, The Gallery At Green & Stone Painting Found Objects, The Gallery At Green & Stone Painting Found Objects, The Gallery At Green & Stone
London
This practical Sunday course introduces the traditional art of blacksmithing, with guidance from an experienced blacksmith. Learn forging techniques including tapering, hot punching, twisting and stamping as you transform steel into a personalised bottle opener and other functional or decorative objects.
Price: £195
South
Led by artist Melissa White, this full day workshop explores painting and decorating a wooden box inspired by Charleston’s distinctive style. Experiment with chalk paints, pattern, mark making and texture before distressing and waxing your box to create an antique finish, with a tour of Charleston and lunch included.
Price: £150
London
Led by woodturning enthusiast Randon Burns, this practical workshop introduces the basics of using a wood lathe and turning between centres. Learn essential techniques while creating your own wooden candlestick to take home.
Price: £75
The Midlands
Led by artist Richard Kitson at Chatsworth House, this beginner friendly workshop introduces the fundamentals of portrait painting in oils. Working from photographic references, learn to mix skin tones, build the portrait with loose brushstrokes and develop techniques for capturing a likeness.
Price: £120
London
Led by Lydie Gallais and Susan Vera Clarke, this practical course introduces screenprinting on fabric, from preparing and exposing screens to mixing inks and creating designs using stencils and hand-drawn or digitally printed images. Suitable for beginners and those refreshing their skills, participants will experiment with different colours and effects while printing onto fabric and garments.
Price: £282
Screenprint On Fabric Beginners, East London Printmakers Screenprint On Fabric Beginners, East London Printmakers
London
This three week practical course explores traditional goldwork embroidery, inspired by the National Gallery’s historic frames. Learn techniques including raised goldwork, passing thread, cloth of gold and pearl purl while creating your own piece, with a behind-the-scenes visit to the Gallery’s Framing Department.
Price: £540
Sculptural Goldwork, Crafting The Frames Of The National Gallery, The Nat Sculptural Goldwork, Crafting The Frames Of The National Gallery, The Nat
London
Led by textile artist Alexandra Lucas at West Dean, this hands on workshop introduces the ancient technique of backstrap weaving, where the weaver’s body creates the loom’s tension. Learn to set up and use a backstrap loom, explore tapestry and band-weaving techniques, and create your own decorative woven piece to take home.
Price: £165
West
Led by ceramic artist Phil Root, this one day practical workshop explores the dramatic process of Raku firing, creating distinctive crackled, smoky and metallic finishes. Learn glaze application, firing and reduction techniques, with participants bringing their own bisque-fired stoneware pieces to transform.
Price: £150
Raku Workshop, Phil Root Studio Raku Workshop, Phil Root Studio Raku Workshop, Phil Root Studio
Online
This three week online course explores Renoir’s work within the changing society of late 19th Century France. Inspired by the National Gallery’s Renoir and Love exhibition, it examines themes of leisure, fashion, gender, class and modern identity through some of the artist’s most celebrated works.
Price: £45
Image: Detail from Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 'The Umbrellas', about 1881-6 Image: Detail from Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 'The Skiff (La Yole)', 1875
London
Introduction To Framing, 10th, 17th & 24th November, Blackhorse Workshop, 1–2 Sutherland Rd Path, Walthamstow, E17 6BX
Led by professional picture framer Joe Fergey, this three-evening practical course introduces the essential skills of bespoke picture framing. Learn to cut and join timber, stain and wax wood, cut glass and mount artwork while creating your own A4 picture frame to take home.
Price: £235
South
Hosted by Curious House at The Bell, this two-day workshop is led by Philippa King, Elspeth and decorative artist Melissa White. Inspired by Melissa’s mythical Hedgerow design, participants will combine painting and stitching on linen before learning decorative painting, ageing and distressing techniques to create a bespoke frame for their finished artwork.
Price: £280
Mythical Creatures Stitching And Painting With Philippa King And Medlissa White, Curious House Mythical Creatures Stitching And Painting With Philippa King And Medlissa White, Curious House Mythical Creatures Stitching And Painting With Philippa King And Medlissa White, Curious House
Online
This five week online course explores the creative relationship between gardens and art, from botanical studies and garden paintings to iconic landscapes and Land Art. Discover works by artists including James Tissot, Beatrix Potter and Fantin Latour, alongside gardens represented within the V&A collection.
Price: £125
South
Led by photographer and printmaker Peter Renn at West Dean, this practical course explores analogue photography using vintage cameras, from Box Brownies to large-format plate cameras. Learn exposure, darkroom processes, paper negatives, contact printing and historic techniques while experimenting with a range of traditional cameras.
Price: £422
Online
Led by artist Jeanette Barnes, this online drawing workshop explores the character and atmosphere of Venice through its waterways, reflections and distinctive architecture. Suitable for beginners and practising artists, the live session takes inspiration from a city celebrated by artists including Bellini and Canaletto.
Price: £10
South
Led by ceramic artist Jo Taylor at West Dean, this three day course explores creating and decorating ceramic vessels using coiling or wheel-throwing techniques. Develop form, texture and surface decoration by designing and applying detailed sprigs, with finished pieces professionally glazed and fired.
Price: £640
London
This nine week practical course at Shoreditch Design Rooms allows participants to bring their own furniture project and learn at their own pace. Develop skills in traditional and modern upholstery, recovering, sewing and basic wood restoration while bringing a piece of furniture back to life.
Price: £695
Upholstery Leisure Daytime Course, Shoreditch Design Rooms Upholstery Leisure Daytime Course, Shoreditch Design Rooms Upholstery Leisure Daytime Course, Shoreditch Design Rooms
London
This practical workshop explores botanical gelli printmaking, inspired by the National Gallery’s Dutch flower paintings. Create drawings before experimenting with colour, layering, stencils and natural materials to produce a series of richly textured botanical prints.
Price: £45
London
This three hour beginner glassblowing class offers the chance to work with molten glass in a working London studio. Choose your colours and learn traditional glassblowing techniques as you shape and blow your own small vase or carafe, guided by expert glassmakers.
Price: £260
Introductory Half Day Glassblowing Class, Gather Introductory Half Day Glassblowing Class, Gather Introductory Half Day Glassblowing Class, Gather
London
Led by artist Jane McCall of Bloomsbury Revisited at Tate Britain, this one day workshop explores lampshade painting inspired by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Experiment with colour, pattern and chalk paints to transform a handmade lampshade into your own unique decorative piece.
Price: £175
London
Led by Sophie Cole at The Gallery at Green & Stone, this hands-on workshop explores the expressive possibilities of charcoal through still-life drawing. Experiment with line, charcoal powder, mark-making and layering techniques to create atmospheric drawings, suitable for complete beginners.
Price: £90
Charcoal: Exploring Line, Texture & Tone With Sophie Cole, The Gallery At Green & Stone Charcoal: Exploring Line, Texture & Tone With Sophie Cole, The Gallery At Green & Stone Charcoal: Exploring Line, Texture & Tone With Sophie Cole, The Gallery At Green & Stone
South
Led by traditional letter-cutter and stone carver Matt Loughlin at West Dean, this practical course explores drawing and carving lettering in limestone using traditional tools and techniques. Learn letter design, carving, simple linework and tool sharpening, with individual guidance for both beginners and more experienced carvers.
Price: £615
South
Led by traditional upholsterer and chair caner Rachael South at West Dean, this practical course explores traditional chair seating using cane, rush, willow or cord. Bring your own chair or stool and learn how to prepare materials, weave traditional patterns and finish or restore its seat.
Price: £624
North
Led by artist Saima Rasheed at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, this hands-on workshop explores creating atmospheric landscapes using oil and cold wax. Experiment with layers of colour, texture and expressive mark-making techniques to create your own contemporary landscape, suitable for beginners and experienced painters alike.
Price: £65
London
This hands on glassblowing experience offers complete beginners the chance to create their own unique glass bauble in a working production studio. Choose your colours, apply them to molten glass and learn how to blow and shape your own festive bauble with guidance from the studio team.
Price: £75
Blow Your Own Bauble Experience, Gather Blow Your Own Bauble Experience, Gather Blow Your Own Bauble Experience, Gather
North
Led by floral designer Hollie Latham at The Art House, this hands-on workshop guides you through creating your own fresh festive wreath using traditional moss and wire techniques. Work with seasonal foliage, dried decorations and decorative ribbon to create a unique wreath for your home.
Price: £55
Make A Floral Christmas Wreath, The Art House Make A Floral Christmas Wreath, The Art House Make A Floral Christmas Wreath, The Art House
London
Led by artist Gosia Hobson of StudioSosenka at the Garden Museum, this hands-on workshop explores traditional Eastern and Central European folk patterns and decorative painting. Learn chalk paint and brushwork techniques while creating your own hand-painted wooden box, perfect as a unique keepsake or Christmas gift.
Price: £45
London
Led by artist Louisa Loakes at her Peckham studio, this full day workshop explores the art of block printing and repeat pattern design, inspired by Indian textiles and contemporary artists and designers. Carve your own lino block, experiment with pattern and print your final design onto natural linen fabric to take home.
Price: £145
Block Printing Workshop, Louisa Loakes Block Printing Workshop, Louisa Loakes Block Printing Workshop, Louisa Loakes
