London Art College Blog Posts.....
Welcome to our Alphabet Challenge. Every month this year we are giving students a different letter of the alphabet so that they can draw or paint anything beginning with that letter. Its the last challenge of November and it’s the…
What a fantastic collection of artwork we have received for our Spooky challenge this week! From pumpkins to witches, to friendly ghosts and even Snoopy. Our students really embraced the Spooky theme with imagination. It is always wonderful to see…
At the London Art College, one of our most popular distance learning programmes is the Pet Portrait Diploma Course, tutored by experienced artist Heather Jolliffe. This course is ideal for anyone who loves animals and wants to learn how to…
We are delighted to showcase a selection of work by student Anne Lloyd, who is studying on our Drawing and Painting Diploma Course. Anne’s paintings are full of freshness and energy. Each piece shows her willingness to explore and enjoy…
Watercolour is often seen as one of the trickiest mediums to master. Its fluidity, transparency, and unpredictability can leave beginners feeling out of control. But that unpredictability is also what makes it so exciting. By embracing watercolour’s natural behaviours and…
Option 1: Spooky Halloween – Adults For those who enjoy atmosphere and drama, this challenge is all about creating a spooky Halloween scene. Think pumpkins glowing in the dark, eerie full moons, haunted houses, witches flying across the night sky,…
This week we set students the challenge of capturing the rich, warm tones of autumn for their weekend art challenge, and what a stunning collection we received. From golden leaves to hedgehogs and cosy countryside scenes, to the wearable fashions…
We are delighted to share a selection of beautiful watercolour paintings by student Iris Russell, who is currently studying on the Watercolour Diploma Course with tutor Steven Hersey. For her fifth assignment, Iris explored texture and pattern through a series…
We are pleased to feature the artwork of Ritwika Ghose, who is currently studying on our Oils Certificate Course. Ritwika has produced some beautiful pieces for her assignments, showing both sensitivity and strength in her approach to oils. For one…
Diving into pastels is like embracing a beautifully tactile world you can draw, paint, smudge, and layer colours in a way that feels immediate and joyful. However, their delicate nature means they require some thoughtful techniques to master. From selecting…
This weekend’s theme is “Autumn Colours.” Autumn is a season full of inspiration – rich golds, fiery reds, deep oranges, and soft browns. For this challenge, we would like you to create a piece of artwork inspired by the colours…
This weekend’s art challenge invited students to slow down and take inspiration from the natural world, with the theme of wild flowers. Whether growing in hedgerows, fields, or springing up unexpectedly in gardens and pathways, wild flowers are full of…
We are pleased to share the work of Craig Brain, a student on the Watercolour Diploma Course tutored by Steven Hersey. Craig recently completed a pair of snowy landscape paintings, each capturing a striking mountain view with trees and reflections…
We are delighted to showcase the artwork of Lorelei Biddulph-Armstrong, a talented 15-year-old student who has been studying on our Drawing for Children Course with tutor John Byrne. Lorelei has shown real creativity and skill across her assignments, with drawings…
Oil pastels are bold, vibrant, and wonderfully versatile. Unlike soft pastels, which are dry and powdery, oil pastels have a waxy, crayon-like texture that makes them perfect for expressive marks and rich, painterly effects. They are easy to pick up…
We are excited to reveal the winners of this year’s London Art College Annual Art Competition! Once again, our students have shown just how much creativity, imagination and technical skill is being developed across all of our courses. After much…
This weekend’s theme is “Wild flowers.” For this challenge, we would like you to take inspiration from wildflowers – whether you find them growing in the garden, spot them on a walk, or choose from a reference photo. Wildflowers can…
This weekend we continued our alphabet challenge, with students asked to create a drawing or painting based on something beginning with the letter G. Once again, you have all come up with a great selection of creative ideas! From gentle…
We are delighted to showcase a selection of artwork by Raihaan Akram, who is studying on the Drawing with Pens Course with tutor Monika Cilmi. Raihaan’s pieces demonstrate just how versatile pen drawing can be. From expressive landscapes and detailed…
For her second assignment, Lucy Hammond continued to impress us with her artwork. Working with pen and ink, she illustrated the classic verse There was a man from Nantucket with wit and character. She then experimented with drypoint etching, collagraph,…
We’re thrilled to share the wonderful news that student Jacqueline Prothero has just completed our Drawing & Painting Diploma Course with a well deserved Distinction! Under the expert tuition of Paul Weaver, Jacqueline has demonstrated strong observational skills, an adventurous…
Welcome to our Alphabet Challenge. Every month this year we are giving students a different letter of the alphabet so that they can draw or paint anything beginning with that letter. Today it’s the turn of ‘G’. Think of any…
For this weekend’s challenge, we asked our students to think small – literally! The theme was Miniature Worlds and the task was to create a drawing or painting no larger than postcard size. We were blown away by the tiny…
We are delighted to share more work by Jayne Cornforth, who is studying on the Botanical Coloured Pencil Diploma. These pieces come from Assignments 4 and 5, where Jayne explored both floral and vegetable studies with great attention to detail….
We are very pleased to congratulate Delia Chamberlin on completing the Still Life Certificate Course with tutor Alan Dedman. Delia has produced some excellent work throughout the course, showing a real ability to observe objects carefully and translate them into…
Oil painting has been a favourite medium for centuries, chosen by artists from the Old Masters to today’s contemporary painters. Its rich colours, smooth blending, and versatility make it endlessly rewarding. However, it can also feel intimidating for beginners because…
This weekend we are inviting you to think small… very small! The theme is “Miniature Worlds.” Your task is to create a tiny drawing or painting no bigger than a postcard. You can use any medium you like – pencil,…
This week’s alphabet challenge brought a slightly trickier letter: Y! But as always, our brilliant students rose to it with style, imagination and a great sense of fun. Yaks were certainly the stars of the show, majestic, hairy and full…
We are delighted to share the work of Dawn Howard, who has been studying on the Pet Portraits Diploma Course with tutor Heather Joliffe. Dawn has completed a beautiful series of studies featuring two German Shepherds, working across different media…
We are very pleased to share some recent work by Arpapatch Sari, who is studying on our Botanical Painting Diploma Course. For this assignment, Arpapatch explored fruit and vegetables – a subject she admitted she had not drawn before, as…
Stepping into the art world is exciting—and sometimes intimidating. It’s common to wrestle with perfectionism, to doubt your work, or to feel stalled by the fear of making mistakes. But what if I told you these struggles are not signs…
Welcome to our Alphabet Challenge. Every month this year we are giving students a different letter of the alphabet so that they can draw or paint anything beginning with that letter. Its the last challenge of September and it’s the…
Hands are one of the most expressive and trickiest parts of the human body to draw or paint. They can reveal character, emotion and movement all in one gesture. For this weekend’s challenge, we asked our students to tackle this…
We are delighted to share that Heather Crick has successfully completed the Still Life Certificate Course with tutor Alan Dedman. Heather has produced a wide range of imaginative and thoughtful still life pieces during her studies. From classical arrangements and…
We are delighted to showcase the work of student Hazel Cope, who is studying our Colour Awareness Course with tutor Monika Cilmi. Hazel describes herself as a self-taught artist, and has found the course invaluable for expanding her understanding of…
When starting your painting journey, it is natural to focus on paints and colours first. Yet one of the most important tools in your kit is the humble brush. The type of brush you use can change how paint flows,…
This weekend we are setting you the challenge of drawing or painting hands. Hands can be one of the trickiest subjects to capture, but they are also incredibly expressive and full of character. Think about how much we use our…
Welcome to our latest weekend art challenge where we set our students the task of creating artwork in only three colours. Limiting your palette can do surprising things. It sharpens your eye, strengthens your composition and forces you to think…
We are delighted to share some wonderful work from Carol Wong, a student currently studying on our Botanical Painting Diploma. Carol recently completed a Fruit and Vegetables assignment, and her PDF submission was outstanding. Not only did she include her…
We are delighted to share the success of Hanh Nguyen Thi Duc, who has just completed the Landscape Diploma with tutor Paul Weaver and achieved a well deserved Distinction. Hanh is based in Vietnam and has worked extremely hard throughout…
When you are starting out in art, one of the most overlooked but essential tools is the paper itself. Many beginners focus on pencils, brushes, or paints, but the surface you work on can have just as much impact on…
This weekend we would love you to try something a little different – a Three Colour Challenge! The idea is simple: create a piece of artwork using just three colours – pink, blue and yellow. You can choose any medium…
What makes something a “super find”? It could be a lucky treasure spotted at a car boot sale, a well-loved object from a charity shop, a curious item found on a beach walk, or even a cherished everyday item that…
We are delighted to congratulate Linn Aspen on successfully completing the Illustrating Children’s Books Diploma with a Distinction! Linn is based in the USA and has a strong background in the creative arts, including design and illustration. She joined the…
We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Vicki Moore has successfully completed the Illustrating Children’s Books Diploma with a Distinction! Vicki began the course back in 2022, studying under tutor Maggie, and continued her creative journey through to…
We are delighted to share the artwork of Anthony Snell, a student who has recently completed our Still Life Certificate Course with tutor Alan Dedman. Anthony has submitted his final assignment, completing a varied and thoughtful collection of still life…
This weekend we have a lovely idea suggested by one of our students – thank you! The theme is “Super Finds.” For this challenge, we would like you to create a piece of artwork inspired by something you have discovered…
This weekend we set students the task of creating a drawing or painting of anything beginning with the letter M and the entries did not disappoint! From magnificent macaws and mesmerising mermaids to a whole page of marvellous M-themed doodles,…
We are excited to introduce Lucy Hammond, a student on the Illustration Diploma Course with tutor Steven Hersey. Lucy’s first assignment submission left a real impression on her tutor: “She submitted her first assignment a few days ago and it…
We are delighted to share some exciting news from our tutor Paul Weaver, who has just had a new article published in the October 2025 issue of Leisure Painter & The Artist magazine. The feature, titled Panoramic Highland Landscapes in…
Learning to draw with pencils is a great way to build strong artistic foundations. It is portable, affordable, and incredibly versatile. Whether you are sketching from life, planning a painting, or developing fine detail in a finished piece. But like…
Welcome to our Alphabet Challenge. Every month this year we are giving students a different letter of the alphabet so that they can draw or paint anything beginning with that letter. Its the last challenge of August and it’s the…
This weekend we invited our students to head to the coast – at least in spirit – for a challenge themed around Harbour Life. The brief was simple: capture the essence of a harbour scene, whether it be bustling fishing…
We are very pleased to congratulate Benjamin Magesh on successfully completing the Landscape Painting Diploma Course with tutor Alan Dedman and achieving a well deserved Distinction. Benjamin has shown both creativity and technical skill throughout his coursework. His paintings demonstrate…
We are delighted to celebrate the achievement of student Deborah Lawrence, who has successfully completed the Landscape painting Diploma with tutor Paul Weaver and has been awarded a well-deserved Distinction. Deborah is based in Norway, and many of her pieces…
Acrylic paint is a brilliant medium for beginners. It is fast-drying, forgiving and incredibly versatile. But like any art material, it can take a little getting used to. If you are new to acrylics or just want to improve your…
For this week’s challenge, we are heading to the harbour! Whether it is the vibrant bustle of a busy fishing port, the gentle stillness of a quiet marina, or the rustic charm of weathered jetties, harbours are full of artistic…
Welcome to our latest weekend art challenge where we set our students the task of creating artwork on the subject of … I’m attaching a video file, with a very short animation that I made for this week’s challenge. I’ve…
We are delighted to share some exciting news from one of our cartooning students, Mark E. Meng. Mark has recently been published in The New Cartoonist magazine – a fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition for his work. Mark studied with…
If you have ever found your paintings looking a bit muddy or unsure how to make your colours work together, this is a great exercise to try. Using a limited colour palette is one of the most effective ways to…
If you have ever sat in front of a blank page unsure where to start, thumbnail sketches might be just what you need. They are quick, rough and small (hence the name), but they’re one of the most useful tools…
For this week’s challenge, we are heading somewhere you probably never thought we would ask about. What’s in your fridge?! Open the door and take a good look at what is inside. You might see colourful fruit and vegetables, neatly…
This has been one of the most popular and inspiring challenges we have run in a while! The seaside theme really seems to have captured everyone’s imagination and the amazing array of artwork we have received has been absolutely wonderful….
We are delighted to celebrate the success of student Vincent Doherty, who has recently completed our Drawing and Painting Diploma Course with tutor Paul Weaver. Vincent’s dedication, determination, and passion for improving his skills have truly shone through during his…
Looking to sharpen your mark-making skills? Pen and ink is the perfect medium to build precision, texture, and confidence. Today’s post highlights a brilliant beginner-friendly YouTube tutorial that explores a variety of simple yet effective ink textures. This quick and…
Yes it’s here! We know you have all been eagerly waiting!! Cue the drumroll…our Annual London Art College’s competition is officially open! Our art competition is open to all of our current students and those who completed from September 2024….
This week, we’re heading to the coast, at least in spirit! Your challenge is to create a piece of artwork based on Seaside Finds. Think of all the treasures you might spot or collect while walking along the beach. Scallop…
Welcome to our latest challenge where we asked students to create a piece of artwork based on the letter D – and once again, you did not disappoint! We have received a delightful and diverse collection of drawings and paintings…
We are absolutely over the moon to read about Katalin’s exhibition and to share photos of the event here on our blog. We hope you enjoy reading about Katlins exhib itiona nd we would like to thank her for allowing…
If you have ever opened a brand new sketchbook and instantly felt pressure to “get it right,” you are not alone. Many artists, beginners and professionals alike, find blank pages surprisingly intimidating. That is where illustrative journaling can help. It…
Watercolour is a wonderfully expressive and versatile medium, but it can be tricky to master when you are just starting out. The good news? Most beginners struggle with the same handful of challenges and a few small adjustments can make…
Welcome to our Alphabet Challenge. Every month this year we are giving students a different letter of the alphabet so that they can draw or paint anything beginning with that letter. Its the last challenge of July and it’s the…
This week’s art challenge is all about the buzz – literally! We invited our students to draw or paint bees, butterflies and all things buzzy in celebration of those hardworking pollinators and fluttering garden visitors that bring summer to life….
We are always keen to share exciting opportunities with our students and wider art community, and this one is not to be missed! The ING Discerning Eye 2025 is officially open for entries, and it offers artists from across the…
We are incredibly proud of our wonderful tutor Heather Jolliffe, who recently took part as one of the Wildcard artists for Sky Arts and what a day it was! Heather joined 50 fellow artists for filming in St James’s Park,…