Art School Experience
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£450 (evening course) or £525 (summer course)
- Start Date(s): 30 April 2025, 28 July 2025
- Duration: Wednesdays, 6 pm to 8.30 pm, for ten weeks or Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
30 April - 2 July 2025, Wednesdays 6 - 8.30 pm
28 July - 1 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Have you ever dreamt of stepping into the vibrant world of an art school?
Here’s your chance!
On this course you’ll spark your creativity, experiment with diverse materials, challenge your creative limits, and develop your unique artistic style.
This hands-on, experimental course is designed to unleash your originality and help you explore both 2D and 3D contemporary art techniques. You’ll dive into drawing, painting, printmaking, and even 3D sculpture in the heart of our art studios.
Perfect for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills, this course encourages spontaneous creativity and embraces the joy of making mistakes. Whether you’re building a portfolio, rediscovering your passion, or just dipping your toes into the creative waters, you’ll leave feeling inspired and brimming with ideas.
If you’ve ever felt nervous about starting or trying something new, this course is your chance to dive in with confidence. From quick, playful sketches to longer workshops in life drawing and sculpting, you’ll find your rhythm in a supportive and relaxed environment.
With projects that encourage curiosity and exploration, you'll leave with not just skills, but the determination to keep creating.
So, grab a pencil, make your mark, and start your next creative adventure.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Here's what some of our previous attendees said:
"Exceeded my expectations. Being stretched and challenged from being exposed to new approaches, techniques and skills with 100% engagement from the tutors, I am re-ignited.” MC
“If you’re thinking about doing this course, go for it! I loved the printing, life drawing and ink work, but enjoyed all other aspects of the course as well. I loved my trip into the NTU studios, thank you Sam and James.' CW
"I was able to discover new art techniques through the diversity of the course and particularly enjoyed life drawing and lino cutting." HC
“This course aided my personal development and enabled me to make new friends and provided me with a new way of seeing things. I enjoyed life drawing the most. I have absolutely loved the course, there was a great atmosphere and the tutors were very supportive and enthusiastic” MB
"Great course - really enjoyable and diverse." FT
"Learning new techniques and being taught by experienced teachers with sound knowledge of the subject matter was brilliant and I enjoyed the wide variety of mediums used." LF
"Brilliant course - loved it! There was such variety and exploration of new techniques." LI
What you’ll study
Art encourages you to be a spontaneous, original thinker and have a great imagination.
Ignite your creativity and express yourself on this exciting, experimental course.
You’ll immerse yourself in hands-on activities designed to build your artistic confidence and skills; from quick, playful sketching exercises to in-depth projects, every session brings fresh challenges and will equip you with the skills and knowledge to create a unique and diverse body of artwork.
During this course you will:
- draw from observation, concentrating on proportion, line and tone and expressive mark-making
- practise mark making with different tools and materials
- learn how to demonstrate your approach to idea generation and research skills
- explore mixed media techniques and experiment with mono and lino printing
- take part in both group discussions and one-to-one tutorials
- develop your practical skills in 3D techniques, from wire sculptures to plaster casting
- be encouraged to practise new ways of working
- record and reflect on your work throughout the course
- receive guidance on portfolio development.
Optional homework will encourage you to pick up your sketchbook daily, helping you embrace creativity without overthinking. It’s all about building habits, exploring ideas, and learning to approach your art with curiosity and freedom.
By the end of this course you’ll have a portfolio filled with sketches, prints, and 3D pieces; a testament to your creative journey and have gained a deeper understanding of transforming ideas into 2D and 3D, and plenty of inspiration to fuel your creative journey.
You’ll be able to demonstrate your ideas and research skills, feel confident in discussing and presenting your work, have the ability to continue exploring your creativity with a variety of materials and techniques, inspired by a buzzing studio full of like-minded people.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course:
- Observational Drawing
- Portraiture
- Ink Drawing and Perspective
- Printing: Mono Printing and Lino Cut Printing
- Wire Sculptures
- Life Casting
Sharpen your observational skills and bring life to your art as you explore the essentials of line, colour, and form and life drawing. From quick sketches to expressive gestures, you’ll learn how to capture the world around you with confidence.
Explore the art of capturing a likeness while injecting personality into your work. Consider techniques that bring faces to life, from delicate details to bold, expressive strokes.
Discover the medium of ink as you experiment with bold lines and intricate shading. You’ll also conquer the art of perspective, giving your drawings depth and a professional edge.
Experiment with printmaking techniques that blend precision and spontaneity. Create stunning prints, from one-off designs to intricate lino-cut masterpieces, inspired by your observational drawings.
Bend, twist, and sculpt wire into dynamic 3D creations. You’ll transform a simple material into expressive forms that leap off the page and into the real world.
Get your hands dirty and capture life itself by casting forms in plaster and latex. This hands-on experience will teach you to mould and preserve intricate details, creating pieces that are as striking as they are personal.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University City Campus.
98% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
Whether you’re planning further studies or seeking a creative outlet, this course equips you with the skills, confidence, and inspiration to keep making your mark.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirements: You should have an enthusiasm for drawing and painting and an interest in developing your creative and technical skills.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £450 (evening course) or £525 (summer course).
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you to the first session:
- any art or drawing equipment you’d like to work with
- a black sharpie or permanent marker pen,
- a black biro pen
- a black fine liner pen
- A6 or A5 hardback sketchbook
- 4B or 6B graphite sticks
- eraser, scissors and scalpel
- black drawing ink
- a selection of nylon round headed paint brushes in size 10, 12 and 16
- a couple of water containers - old jars are fine
- acrylic paint: 1 tube of each of following colours: primary red, blue, yellow, black and white
- something to take your work home in e.g. A2 plastic folder.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
30 April - 2 July 2025, Wednesdays 6 - 8.30 pm
28 July - 1 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our short courses in fine art.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813