- 3 days ago
- 14 min read
Summer Courses To Help You Become A Renaissance Man, July 2026
Summer is glorious. We may grumble that it's too hot, or that it rains too much, but let's delight in the longer days and the slightly more laissez-faire attitude that comes with the summer months. You may not have a dance card full of holiday activities, and if that's the case, why not fill any extra time doing something very much for yourself? Here we list activities, hobbies and workshops from all over the country to help keep those busy hands occupied.
London
Start your weekend with a relaxed and inspiring drop-in drawing session at the National Portrait Gallery. Suitable for all abilities, this welcoming workshop invites you to explore creative portrait drawing, experiment with new ideas and techniques, and enjoy making art alongside others in a friendly, social setting.
Price: Free
London
Expand your etching practice in this one-day Sugar Lift workshop with Tutor Ann Norfield. Designed for those with previous etching experience, this course will help you learn this printmaking technique to create painterly marks, rich tonal effects, and beautifully detailed prints, opening up exciting new possibilities for your work.
Price: £94
North England
Darkroom Essentials, 8th & 15th July, The Art House, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
Discover the magic of traditional black and white photography in this hands-on darkroom workshop with teaching artist Kelly Rankin. Learn to process your own film, create beautiful silver gelatin prints and gain the essential skills and confidence to continue exploring analogue photography.
Price: £90
London
Discover the fascinating art of pewter casting in this hands-on four-day course, exploring the traditional lost wax process from wax modelling to finished metalwork. Suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike, you'll learn casting, finishing and metal finishing techniques while creating your own unique pewter artwork and gaining the skills to continue casting independently.
Price: £500
The Midlands
Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in the traditional craft of green woodworking with this hands-on oak stool-making experience. Guided by expert craftsman Ian Varley, you'll learn time-honoured carpentry techniques using hand tools and leave with a beautifully handcrafted hardwood stool, along with the skills and confidence to continue your woodworking journey.
Price: £175
South England
Pottery Wheel Workshop, 10th July, Guildford Pottery, New House Art Space, Fays Passage, Guildford, GU1 4SQ
Experience the magic of throwing clay on the potter's wheel in this fun, hands-on workshop, perfect for complete beginners. With expert guidance throughout, you'll learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing and create your own unique pots, which will be professionally glazed and fired for you to collect after the course.
Price: £76.88
London
Weekend Ceramics Workshop, 11th July, Mary Ward Centre, 275-285 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 2TF
Develop your ceramic skills in this one-day workshop with Tutor Diana Ambida, suitable for beginners and those looking to build their experience. Explore both wheel throwing and hand-building techniques, including coiling, slab building and sculpting, while creating functional or decorative pieces and gaining the confidence to continue your ceramics journey.
Price: £74
South England
Develop your drawing skills in this immersive one-day workshop with artists Luke Hannam and Henrietta Roeder at Charleston. Through expressive mark-making, observational techniques and an exploration of 20th-century drawing, you'll gain greater confidence, strengthen your hand-eye coordination and discover new ways to bring energy, emotion and individuality to your work.
Price: £150
South England
Discover the art of relief stone carving in this hands-on workshop with sculptor Patricia Barker, using soft Maltese limestone to create your own human figure composition. Suitable for both beginners and experienced carvers, you'll learn traditional carving techniques, develop your design from sketch to finished sculpture, and gain the confidence to bring expressive forms to life in stone.
Price: £620
London
Discover the rewarding craft of pottery in this Saturday wheel throwing taster, perfect for complete beginners and those looking to build their confidence. With expert guidance throughout, you'll learn the essential techniques of throwing on the wheel and create your own ceramic forms while developing the skills to continue your pottery journey.
Price: £75
The Midlands
Discover the traditional art of Japanese woodblock printing in this inspiring hands-on workshop inspired by the House of Stories exhibition at Chatsworth. Learn how to carve, ink and print your own design, combining woodblock and monoprint techniques to create a beautiful edition of layered prints to take home.
Price: £95
London
Journey through 2,500 years of art history in this immersive course, combining expert-led lectures with visits to London's world-renowned museums and galleries. From Classical Greece to modernism and the avant-garde, you'll explore the ideas, movements and masterpieces that have shaped Western art while developing the skills to analyse and interpret artworks with confidence.
Price: £1,950
London
Immerse yourself in the colourful world of the Bloomsbury Group in this inspiring two-day painting course with Louise Rainbow. Explore the distinctive style of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant while experimenting with expressive colour, decorative design and modernist techniques to create your own Bloomsbury-inspired artwork.
Price: £275
The Midlands
Develop your landscape painting skills in this immersive weekend oil painting masterclass, where you'll explore colour, composition and expressive brushwork with expert guidance. Through studio sessions and, weather permitting, painting en plein air in the Chatsworth gardens, you'll gain the confidence and techniques to create more dynamic and accomplished landscapes.
Price: £260
London
Learn to capture interior spaces with confidence in this practical sketching workshop with Gianfrancesco De Falco. Through a series of engaging exercises, you'll develop faster, more expressive sketching techniques, explore perspective and visual communication, and gain the confidence to turn ideas into clear, dynamic drawings.
Price: £275
South England
Explore the art of lost-wax bronze casting in this imaginative summer school with artist Necole Schmitz, creating a surrealist-inspired candlestick from concept to finished piece. Suitable for all abilities, you'll learn wax modelling, bronze casting, patination and candle making, leaving with a unique artwork and a deeper understanding of this remarkable traditional process.
Price: £1,551
South England
Celebrate the beauty of early summer with this botanical bas-relief casting workshop at RHS Garden Rosemoor. Guided by artist Lisa Richards, you'll forage seasonal flowers from the gardens and learn how to transform them into a beautifully detailed plaster cast, creating a unique piece of botanical art to display at home.
Price: £100
The Midlands
Create your own striking Green Man sculpture in this inspiring clay workshop with professional sculptor Miranda. Suitable for all abilities, you'll learn how to model expressive facial features and bring character to your design, leaving with a unique handmade sculpture and the skills to continue exploring clay sculpture.
Price: £70
North England
Discover the art of wheel throwing in this hands-on pottery taster day with ceramicist Hannah Way. Perfect for beginners, you'll learn the fundamentals of throwing on the wheel, develop essential techniques and create your own ceramic pieces to be professionally glazed and fired for you to collect.
Price: £130
London
Discover the rewarding craft of woodturning in this hands-on introduction with resident maker Randon Burns at Blackhorse Workshop. Learn the fundamentals of turning on a wood lathe and leave with a beautifully handcrafted wooden candlestick, along with the confidence to continue developing your turning skills.
Price: £75
South England
Drawing To Painting In Oils – The Figure In Summer With Tim Patrick, 7th - 13th August, West Dean, Nr Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ
Explore the timeless relationship between the figure, light and landscape in this immersive summer oils course with Tim Patrick. Working from life in both the studio and the beautiful grounds of West Dean, you'll develop your drawing and painting skills, strengthen your observational practice, and create expressive figure paintings inspired by the atmosphere of summer.
Price: £1,440
London
Discover the creative possibilities of screen printing in this fun, beginner-friendly workshop at Print Club. Learn the fundamentals of the process, print your own original designs and leave with the skills, confidence and inspiration to continue exploring this versatile craft.
Price: £75
London
Discover the timeless craft of Japanese woodblock printing in this immersive three-day workshop with Course Leader SooMin Leong. Using traditional Mokuhanga techniques, you'll learn to carve, register and hand-print your own multi-coloured edition, gaining the skills and confidence to continue exploring this beautiful, non-toxic printmaking process.
Price: £282
North England
Create a beautiful set of handcrafted ceramic candlesticks in this inspiring homeware workshop with ceramicist Hannah Way. Learn essential handbuilding, carving and glazing techniques as you design functional, sculptural pieces that will be professionally fired and ready to display in your home.
Price: £50
South England
Discover the joy of pottery in this relaxed half-day taster workshop, perfect for complete beginners or anyone curious to try ceramics. With expert guidance, you'll create and decorate your own handmade piece while learning the fundamentals of clay, glazing and ceramic decoration in a friendly, small-group setting.
Price: £80
The Midlands
Portraiture In Oils Masterclass With Richard Kitson, 15th & 16th August, Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
Refine your portrait painting in this intensive two-day oils masterclass with acclaimed artist Richard Kitson, working directly from a live model. Designed for artists with previous experience, this course will help you develop stronger observational skills, improve your colour mixing and brushwork, and create a finished portrait with expert one-to-one guidance throughout.
Price: £260
South England
Discover the art of decorative paint finishes with renowned artist and furniture designer Jonathon Marc Mendes in this inspiring one-day masterclass at Charleston. Learn a range of professional techniques, from faux marbling and layered finishes to verdigris, rust and aged patinas, and gain the skills and confidence to transform furniture and interiors with beautifully crafted decorative effects.
Price: £150
London
Discover the fascinating world of alternative photographic printmaking in this hands-on workshop exploring cuprotypes and copper halide monoprints. Experiment with sustainable, light-sensitive processes to create richly textured, one-of-a-kind prints, while gaining the skills and confidence to continue exploring these innovative techniques in your own practice.
Price: £55
London
Build a strong foundation in woodworking with this practical weekend introduction to joinery, designed for beginners. Learn essential techniques including mortise and tenon, dovetail, biscuit and mitre joints, gaining the skills, confidence and knowledge to tackle your own furniture and woodworking projects.
Price: £205
London
Learn the art of contemporary bookbinding in this immersive week-long programme at the London Centre for Book Arts. Guided by expert tutors, you'll master a range of traditional and modern book structures, discover specialist tools and techniques, and leave with a collection of beautifully handcrafted books, a presentation box, and the skills to continue making independently.
Price: £650
London
Explore the rich and transformative world of Victorian art in this engaging six-week lecture series, examining the artists and movements that shaped a century of extraordinary change. Led by leading academics and curators, you'll gain fresh insight into the social, cultural and artistic ideas behind iconic works, culminating in a private tour of Leighton House.
London
Tetrapak Printing, 2nd September, East London Printmakers, 42 Copperfield Rd, Mile End, London, E3 4RR
Discover the creative potential of recycled materials in this experimental Tetrapak printmaking workshop with Course Leader Amanda Taylor. Ideal for those with some printmaking experience, this course will help you learn how to transform everyday packaging into richly textured prints while exploring expressive mark-making, colour and sustainable printmaking techniques.
Price: £94
London
Start your weekend with a relaxed evening of drawing at the Royal Academy, inspired by the Richard Dadd exhibition. Guided by professional artists, you'll experiment with new techniques, build confidence in your drawing skills and enjoy a creative, welcoming session suitable for all abilities.
Price: Free
London
Experience the thrill of working with molten glass in this hands-on half-day introduction to glassblowing at Gather's London hot shop. Guided by expert makers, you'll learn the fundamentals of this fascinating craft and create your own beautifully coloured vase or carafe to take home—no previous experience required.
Price: £260
London
Discover the timeless craft of traditional gilding in this intensive five-day masterclass with expert gilder Rian Kanduth. Learn the techniques of water and oil gilding using real gold leaf, and develop the skills to create beautifully burnished, polished and aged finishes on your own objects or practice panels.
Price: £765
London
Bring a favourite piece of furniture back to life in this 15-week evening upholstery course at Shoreditch Design Rooms. With expert tuition tailored to your individual project and skill level, you'll learn professional upholstery techniques, from stripping and reupholstering to sewing and basic restoration, while building the confidence to continue your furniture-making journey.
Price: £990
West England
Spend a creative day with renowned printmaker Molly Mahon at Highgrove, designing and hand-printing your own beautifully personalised cushion cover. Inspired by the royal gardens, you'll explore block printing, colour and simple embroidery techniques, leaving with a unique handmade piece and plenty of ideas to continue creating at home.
Price: £185
London
Discover the art of block printing in this relaxed one-day workshop with textile artist Louisa Loakes at her Peckham studio. Perfect for beginners, you'll carve your own printing block, experiment with pattern and repeat, and create a beautifully hand-printed piece of natural linen while learning the techniques behind this timeless craft.
Price: £145
Online
Capture the places you visit with confidence in this online Saturday Sketch Club, inspired by the travel sketchbooks of Richard Dadd. Suitable for all abilities, you'll learn expressive sketching techniques that help you quickly record landscapes, architecture and everyday scenes, creating a sketchbook full of character and atmosphere.
Price: £10
London
Ceramic Painting – Bud Vase, 20th September, Dulwich Picture Gallery, College Road, London, SE21 7AD
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of ceramic painting with artist Claire Sherston and create your own beautifully hand-decorated bud vase. Experiment with colour, pattern and specialist ceramic glazes as Claire guides you through the process, leaving you with a unique finished piece to treasure.
Price: £65
London
Celebrate the changing season in this immersive botanical printmaking workshop, inspired by the beauty of the Autumn Equinox. Guided by botanical illustrator Emma Bond, you'll combine observational drawing with sustainable Tetrapak printmaking techniques to create a richly layered hand-printed artwork while exploring colour, texture and the quiet beauty of autumn.
Price: £85
London
Gain a thorough introduction to the art of picture framing in this practical five-day intensive at The School of Stuff. From cutting mitres and mounts to glazing, finishing and assembling a professional-quality frame, you'll learn every stage of the process and leave with the skills and confidence to frame your own artwork at home.
Price: £725
South England
Take your basket weaving to the next level in this two-day intermediate workshop with master basketmaker Dominic Parrette. Learn the traditional techniques used to create a classic hen basket, from setting hoops and ribs to completing a strong, elegant basket that's perfect for foraging or picnics, while refining your weaving skills with expert guidance.
Price: £250
The Midlands
Explore the vibrant beauty of succulent plants in this inspiring watercolour workshop with artist Pam Smart. Suitable for all abilities, this workshop lets you experiment with colour, pattern, and expressive watercolour techniques to create striking botanical artwork while building your confidence with this versatile medium.
Price: £120
North England
Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops, 24th September, 111 East Parade, York, North Yorkshire, YO31 7YD
Discover the rewarding craft of stone carving in this inspiring three-day workshop with master stone carver Lucy Churchill. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your technique, you'll receive expert one-to-one guidance as you learn traditional carving skills, gain confidence working with stone, and create your own unique sculpture to take home.
Price: £455
London
Tapestry Weaving – An Introduction With Philip Sanderson, 26th September, London Campus - Bloomsbury, West Dean, Dilke House, 1 Malet St, London, WC1E 7JN
Discover the timeless craft of tapestry weaving in this hands-on introductory workshop with Philip Sanderson. Learn the essential techniques, from setting up your loom to creating shapes and textures, and leave with your first woven tapestry along with the skills and confidence to continue weaving at home.
Price: £130
London
Create a pair of unique drinking glasses in this fun and memorable glassblowing experience at Gather. Working alongside an expert glass artist, you'll learn to gather, colour and blow molten glass into a mould, leaving with beautiful handmade pieces and an unforgettable introduction to this remarkable craft.
Price: £195
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