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Spring Courses To Help You Become A Renaissance Man, March 2026
I saw somewhere a post saying "The Economy Is So Bad You Might As Well Follow Your Dreams." Yes, glib and with many potholes, but the gist is good. Although we all still need to eat and have a roof over our heads, we perhaps could look at injecting our energy into something that exists in the real world. So why not take the plunge and have a go at one of the below.
London
Collagraph and Carborundum, led by Course Leader Amanda Taylor, introduces participants to experimental printmaking through textured collaged plates. Using accessible, low-impact materials, students will learn how to create, ink, and print collagraphs in both monotone and colour. Suitable for all levels, this hands-on workshop offers the opportunity to develop a range of expressive techniques and produce multiple finished prints, building confidence to continue printmaking independently.
Price: £282
Spring 2026 Upholstery Leisure Course, 7th - 10th April, Shoreditch Design Rooms, 2-4 Scawfell Street, London, E2 8NG
This spring, the Upholstery Leisure Course at Shoreditch Design Rooms offers a four-day, hands-on, bring-your-own-project experience. With expert guidance, participants will develop practical upholstery skills while working on a piece of their choice, whether they are complete beginners or looking to refine their technique. Set in a supportive, creative environment, the course provides a valuable opportunity to learn, create, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Price: £600
Introduction to Blacksmithing (inc. Forge Induction) at Blackhorse Workshop offers a hands-on introduction to the ancient craft, led by blacksmith Stephen Lock. Participants will learn traditional forging techniques to shape steel into functional objects, including a personalised bottle opener. This engaging Sunday course provides a practical and rewarding experience, with a forge induction included, enabling participants to return and continue working independently after completion.
Price: £195
Monoprint: Monotype, 8th & 15th April, East London Printmakers, 42 Copperfield Rd, Mile End, London, E3 4RR
Monoprint: Monotype, led by Course Leader Fiona Fouhy, explores the expressive and painterly possibilities of printmaking. Participants will experiment with oily inks and a range of tools to create unique, one-off prints rich in texture and gesture. Suitable for all levels, this flexible and liberating workshop offers a dynamic introduction to printmaking, with participants leaving with a collection of original prints and new techniques to build on.
Price: £100
Intermediate Bookbinding: Stab-binding with Hard Cover is an ideal workshop for those with some prior experience looking to further develop their skills. Led by Simon Goode, co-founder of the London Centre for Book Arts, participants will learn traditional stab-binding techniques and create a hardcover book using the “yotsume” style. With all materials and tools provided, this hands-on course offers the opportunity to refine techniques and leave with a beautifully hand-bound book, as well as the confidence to continue bookbinding at home.
Price: £150
Pewter Casting at London Sculpture Workshop is a four-session course that introduces the ancient lost-wax method. Participants will model in wax, create moulds, and cast their own pewter artwork, learning each stage from design to finishing. Suitable for all levels, this hands-on course offers a unique opportunity to explore metal casting techniques and leave with a finished piece, along with the knowledge to continue working independently.
Price: £500
At the National Portrait Gallery, this evening's life drawing session with Irene Pulga explores movement and the human figure in an engaging, dynamic way. Participants are encouraged to capture both fleeting gestures and sustained poses, developing confidence and expressive skills through guided observation. Suitable for all levels, it offers an inspiring way to deepen drawing practice in a unique gallery setting.
Price: £20
At the Royal Academy of Arts, this thought-provoking weekend course, led by Dr Catherine McCormack, explores how womanhood has shaped art throughout history. Through engaging talks and discussion, participants encounter women as artists, subjects and patrons, from Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun to Barbara Hepworth, uncovering powerful and often overlooked perspectives. Open to all, it offers a compelling, enriching way to rethink art history through a fresh, vital lens.
Price: £420
Wheel Thrown Pottery, led by Tutor Diana Ambida, is a six-session course designed to introduce participants to working on the pottery wheel. Over a series of three-hour classes, students will develop core skills including centring, throwing, trimming, glazing, decorating, and firing. Ideal for beginners, the course provides a structured and supportive environment to build confidence, with participants leaving able to create and finish their own wheel-thrown ceramic pieces.
Price: £374
Speedy Sketching – Interiors at West Dean, led by Gianfrancesco De Falco, introduces techniques for capturing interior spaces with speed and confidence. Through practical exercises, participants will explore perspective, visual thinking, and expressive mark-making to create dynamic sketches. Suitable for all levels, this course builds confidence in freehand sketching as a tool for communication, creativity, and idea development.
Price: £275
Candlestick Woodturning, 29th April, Blackhorse Workshop, 1–2 Sutherland Rd Path, Walthamstow, E17 6BX
Candlestick Woodturning at Blackhorse Workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of the wood lathe, guided by resident expert Randon Burns. Participants will learn the basics of turning between centres and create their own beautifully crafted candlestick to take home.
Price: £75
This spring, the Furniture Making Saturday School at Building Crafts College offers a practical, workshop-based introduction to furniture making using both hand and power tools. Participants will build confidence through hands-on experience in a supportive, professional environment. This short summer course is ideal for anyone keen to develop creative and practical woodworking skills. Early enrolment is recommended.
Price: £1,050
Tapestry Weaving at West Dean London, led by Philip Sanderson, is a one-day course introducing the fundamental techniques of this traditional craft. Participants will learn how to set up a frame, use essential tools, and explore weaving methods such as hatching, diagonals, and simple shapes.
Suitable for beginners, this hands-on workshop offers a practical introduction to tapestry, with participants completing their own woven piece to take home.
Price: £130
Join the Royal Academy of Arts online for Saturday Sketch Club: Drawing Venice, a live-streamed session led by artist Jeanette Barnes. Inspired by the city’s rich artistic history and atmosphere, participants capture Venice’s waterways and architecture while building confidence in a supportive, accessible setting. Open to all levels, it is an engaging way to develop drawing skills from anywhere.
Price: £10
Ceramic Sculpture, Experimental Sculpture, 11th May – 6th July, Mary Ward Centre, 275-285 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 2TF
Ceramic Sculpture: Experimental Sculpture at Mary Ward Centre offers an inspiring introduction to both traditional and contemporary clay techniques. Participants will explore hand-building methods such as coiling, slab-building, and modelling, alongside surface decoration and glazing, while developing their own creative style. Open to all levels, this course encourages both guided and self-directed work, supporting students to create a final piece that reflects their individual ideas and artistic journey.
Price: £266
Print Club's Beginners Workshop, 16th May, Print Club London, Unit 3, 10-28 Millers Avenue, London, E8 2DS
At Print Club London, this hands-on workshop offers a clear and engaging introduction to screen printing. Participants learn the core techniques, from preparing and coating screens to understanding the process, before creating their own print editions. With expert guidance and inspiring examples from working artists, it is an ideal way to begin exploring printmaking.
Price: £75
Discover the elegance and global influence of Art Deco with this online course from the V&A Academy, led by design historian Christine Lalumia. Over five weeks, participants explore the movement’s rich materials, iconic designers, and cultural influences, all supported by flexible online learning and access to expert insights. For anyone drawn to style, modernity and design history, it offers an accessible and inspiring way to deepen understanding at their own pace.
Price: £125
At Gather, this introductory half-day glassblowing class offers a rare chance to step into a working hot shop and shape molten glass for yourself. Guided by expert makers, participants create a small vase or carafe from start to finish, learning essential techniques in a vibrant, furnace-powered studio. For anyone curious about glass, it is an engaging and memorable first step into the craft.
Price: £260
At Petersham Nurseries, this inspiring workshop invites participants to explore the art of container gardening with expert guidance. Learning to create the nursery’s signature naturalistic planting style, attendees discover how to bring life and beauty to spaces of any size, from balconies to gardens. With a welcoming atmosphere and refreshments included, it offers a relaxed and rewarding way to elevate planting skills.
Price: £65
Join the V&A Academy online to explore the life and legacy of William Morris, a visionary whose work continues to shape design today. Through this engaging course, participants uncover his extraordinary range of skills and ideas, from craft and storytelling to social reform, all brought to life through the V&A’s unique connection to his work. For anyone interested in design, history or creativity, it offers a rich and inspiring insight into one of Britain’s most influential figures.
Price: £49
Painting Portraits in Oils for Beginners at West Dean, London, led by Zara Drummond, offers a practical introduction to portraiture and oil painting techniques. Working from a live model, participants will explore colour mixing, light and shadow, and facial structure to build confidence in capturing likeness and expression. Suitable for beginners or those returning to painting, this course provides a supportive environment for developing skills and creating expressive portrait studies.
Price: £325
Bronze Casting at London Sculpture Workshop is an intensive six-day course held over two weekends that guides participants through the complete process of creating a bronze sculpture. From initial wax modelling to mould-making, casting, and final patination, students will learn each stage of this traditional technique. Open to all levels, this hands-on course offers a rare opportunity to experience the full bronze-casting process and leave with a finished sculpture, with expert guidance throughout.
Price: £620
North
At Art House, this intensive two-day masterclass with Daniel Wheeler offers a rare opportunity to refine black-and-white darkroom printing. Focusing on craft over quantity, participants explore tonality, the Zone System and advanced techniques while producing carefully considered silver gelatin prints from their own negatives. Ideal for those ready to deepen their practice, it is a focused and rewarding step towards mastering the darkroom.
Price: £180
At Art House, this four-week evening course with Hannah Way offers a relaxed and supportive introduction to throwing on the wheel. Across four sessions, participants build confidence in shaping, trimming and refining their pots, with the chance to glaze and fire their favourite pieces. With small class sizes and expert guidance, it is an ideal way to develop practical skills and enjoy the rhythm of working with clay.
Price: £200
Botanical Illustration 2 Day Workshop, 26th & 27th June, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, HG3 1QB
At RHS Garden Harlow Carr, this specialist workshop with Bridget Gillespie offers an in-depth exploration of botanical illustration through drawing and watercolour. Working from live plant specimens, participants refine their skills in observation, composition and precise colour mixing to create accurate and expressive plant portraits. Ideal for those with some experience, it is a rewarding opportunity to develop technique within a rich artistic tradition.
Price: £124
South
Glass Engraving at West Dean, led by Tracey Sheppard, is a weekend course that introduces both hand- and drill-based engraving techniques. Participants will explore drawing and lettering on glass, developing skills through practical exercises and personalised guidance. Suitable for beginners and those returning to the craft, this course offers a supportive environment to build confidence, create a finished engraved piece, and develop a personal style.
Price: £314
At West Dean, this hands-on workshop with Stephen Coles introduces the essential skills of silicone rubber mould-making for lost-wax casting. Participants gain practical, professional knowledge while creating their own mould and wax cast, building confidence in a process central to contemporary sculpture. For those ready to refine their craft, it offers a clear and rewarding step into more advanced making.
Price: £571
Leighton Lodge, Leighton, Shrewsbury, SY5 6RN
This half-day Composition (Compo) course is designed for those who have already completed the three-day gilding course. It is an intensive session in which participants learn how to make a composition, take casts, and create moulds. By the end of the course, they will be able to confidently replace and gild missing sections on ornate frames.
Price: £120
This immersive retreat at Merchant & Mills, led by Julius Arthur, offers a relaxed and creative approach to modern quilting. Participants explore improvisational patchwork and appliqué, learning to design and construct a quilt from start to finish in a supportive, small-group setting. With accommodation, meals and expert tuition included, it is a deeply rewarding experience for anyone looking to slow down and make something truly personal.
Price: From £1,650
Gathered Lampshade Making, With A Pleated Lining, 13th & 14th May, Minerva Workshop, Sussex, RH177DH
At Minerva Workshop, this two-day lampshade-making course offers a focused and rewarding introduction to the craft of gathered and pleated designs. With small group sizes and expert guidance, participants learn to create a fully lined, professionally finished lampshade they can proudly take home. Ideal for both beginners and those looking to refine their skills, it provides the confidence to continue making, whether for personal projects or future commissions.
Price: £360
Leighton Lodge, Leighton, Shrewsbury, SY5 6RN
Participants will spend a full day exploring the rich blue world of cyanotype printing through hands-on practice. Using sunlight, natural materials and non-toxic chemistry, they will create their own photographic prints while learning to prepare light-sensitive paper, compose images and experiment with toning and layering. No experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore light and shadow.
Price: £140
Join Curious House for Peculiar Arcana: Lino Cut with Alexi Marshall this spring at The Bell in Ticehurst. Participants will design, carve, and print their own tarot card in a relaxed and inspiring environment, learning linocutting techniques step by step. With all materials and lunch provided, this one-day workshop offers a unique opportunity to create a personalised piece to take home.
Price: £140
Decorative Painting With Jane McCall, 24th June, Curious House, High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN5 7AS
Hosted by Curious House, Decorative Painting with Jane McCall takes place at The Bell in Ticehurst, offering a creative introduction to loose, lyrical painting inspired by the Bloomsbury Group. Participants will design and paint a unique lampshade or small piece of furniture under expert guidance.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Big Room, this course provides a relaxed and inspiring opportunity to explore pattern, develop painting techniques, and create a distinctive piece of interior design to take home.
Price: £150
Block Printing Cushion Workshop at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex, led by printmaker Molly Mahon, offers a creative one-day introduction to block printing on fabric. Participants will design and print their own cushion cover using hand-carved wooden blocks and eco-friendly paints, experimenting with colour and pattern. Suitable for all levels, this relaxed workshop includes a two-course lunch and the opportunity to embellish your design with decorative stitching, creating a unique piece to take home.
Price: £185
At West Dean College, this immersive course with Michel François invites experienced potters to rethink their approach to scale, using movement and core strength to throw larger forms with confidence. Through a dynamic, step-by-step process, participants learn to build and assemble sections of a Moon Jar, mastering both technique and form. For those ready to push their practice further, it offers a powerful and transformative making experience.
Price: £1,409
East
Hosted by Craft Courses, Introduction to Woodworking is a one-day course designed for beginners, while also offering experienced woodworkers the chance to refine core skills. Led by expert tutor Bill, participants will learn essential techniques including tool selection, accurate marking out, and hand-tool woodworking in a supportive, small-group environment. Set in a relaxed and well-equipped workshop, this hands-on course provides a rewarding introduction to the craft, whether for creative enjoyment, skill development, or the first step towards further training.
Price: £149
West
At Charleston House, this creative workshop with Moji Salehi invites participants to explore block printing in a relaxed, inspiring setting. Through playful experimentation, they design and assemble their own lampshade, guided by expert tuition and inspired by Charleston’s house and gardens. With all materials, a house tour, and lunch included, it offers a rewarding day of making for both beginners and experienced creatives.
Price: £150
Join the Green Man Ceramics Workshop for a creative day exploring this ancient myth through clay sculpture. Beginning with a guided meditative walk, participants will gather natural inspiration before sculpting their own Green Man using a range of techniques with expert guidance. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Haybarn, this relaxed workshop includes a nourishing lunch and is suitable for all levels, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature while creating a lasting, frost-proof sculpture.
Price: £159.30
Join Lyde Green Pottery for a three-day immersive workshop exploring the dynamic process of wood firing. Participants will load and fire a fast-fire wood kiln using their own work, discovering the unique tones and natural ash effects achieved at high temperatures. Ideal for those interested in ceramic firing, this hands-on course offers practical experience of kiln processes, materials, and techniques, along with insight into sustainable firing methods.
Price: £220
Pastel And Paint With Jane Hindmarch, 16th June, Hay Barn, Charleston in Firle, East Sussex, BN8 6LL
At Charleston House, this expressive workshop with Jane Hindmarch invites participants to explore pastel and paint through personal response and experimentation. Inspired by the Charleston garden, they move from pastel studies into acrylic on canvas, guided by the artist’s thoughtful and encouraging approach. With all materials, a house tour and lunch included, it offers a rich and inspiring day for makers of all levels.
Price: £150
Relief Carving is a one-day course ideal for absolute beginners looking to explore the fundamentals of stone carving. Participants will learn how to transfer a design onto a limestone tile, use a range of masonry tools, and apply techniques to achieve a refined finish. With all materials, tools, and refreshments provided, this hands-on workshop offers a supportive introduction to relief carving and the chance to create a finished piece to take home.
Price: £75
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