Home›Art & Drawing›Painting Courses›Portrait Painting Courses – Beginners Portrait Painting Courses - Beginners BOOK NOW DETAILS BOOKING & TIMETABLE VENUES TUTORS If you have ever been intrigued by portrait painting, our Portrait Painting Courses - Beginners are the perfect place to start exploring and learning how to compose, sketch and eventually paint a portrait from scratch. Our art training is suitable for beginners, as well as those who have some experience in drawing and painting and want to learn the specifics of portrait painting. Gain confidence in achieving a likeness of a live model and create several pieces of work to put on your wall or share with friends and family. Portrait painting is a vast field, but this beginner's course makes it fun and enjoyable, giving you a solid grounding of composition and brush techniques. City Academy's art studios have everything you need to get creative. All materials, including paper, brushes, and paint will be provided. WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS COURSE Discover the art of portrait painting as you build confidence with colour, brushwork and likeness in a supportive studio setting. Learn how to approach the face with greater structure and accuracy Develop practical techniques for composition, likeness and brushwork Build confidence painting portraits of various subjects Explore how colour, tone and shape can bring a portrait to life Create several pieces of portrait artwork across the course Gain friendly guidance and feedback from your tutor Enjoy a fun, supportive painting course with all materials provided Use the course as a springboard into further portrait, drawing or painting classes Portrait Composition Learn how to plan and compose a portrait, helping you place features and expressions with confidence. Likeness and Structure Explore techniques for capturing likeness, proportion and facial structure in a clear, approachable way. Colour and Tone Use colour, tone and contrast to create depth, form and personality within your portrait paintings. Brush Techniques Develop practical brush techniques that support shape, texture, detail and expressive mark-making. Painting the Face Break down the face into manageable stages, building confidence as you develop your portrait from first marks to final details. Tutor Feedback Receive supportive guidance throughout the course to help you improve technique and grow your confidence as a portrait painter. Classes Starting Soon Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 15 Aug 2026 Sat 10:30-16:30 1 day Stephen Nicholas City Academy, Farringdon £93.50 15% OFF Book Now 25 Sep 2026 - 09 Oct 2026 Fri 18:00-20:30 3 weeks Stephen Nicholas City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 24 Oct 2026 Sat 10:30-16:30 1 day City Academy Art Tutors City Academy, Farringdon £110.00 Book Now 17 Nov 2026 - 01 Dec 2026 Tue 18:00-20:30 3 weeks City Academy Art Tutors City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 19 Dec 2026 Sat 10:30-16:30 1 day Carl Randalll City Academy, Farringdon £110.00 Book Now 15 Aug 15 Aug 2026 £93.50 Day:Sat Time:10:30-16:30 Duration:1 day Tutor: Stephen Nicholas Venue: City Academy, Farringdon Offer:15% OFF BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 25 Sep 25 Sep 2026 - 09 Oct 2026 £135.00 Day:Fri Time:18:00-20:30 Duration:3 weeks Tutor: Stephen Nicholas Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 24 Oct 24 Oct 2026 £110.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-16:30 Duration:1 day Tutor: City Academy Art Tutors Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 17 Nov 17 Nov 2026 - 01 Dec 2026 £135.00 Day:Tue Time:18:00-20:30 Duration:3 weeks Tutor: City Academy Art Tutors Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 19 Dec 19 Dec 2026 £110.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-16:30 Duration:1 day Tutor: Carl Randalll Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE View All Classes × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close 1 Do I need to bring any materials? No, all materials including brushes and paint are provided. 2 Do I need any painting experience? This course is suitable for complete beginners, although if you feel uncertain about joining this course we would also recommend our How to Paint - Beginners course, which will take you through the first steps through still life. 3 Will we be working with live models? Yes - both our three week course and our one day course have experienced art models who you will be painting. Your Art Supplies City Academy's art studio has everything you need to get creative. All materials, including paper, brushes and other art supplies, will be provided. BENEFITS OF ART CLASSES Browse Courses You can filter Courses by month and tutor Month All Months Tutor All Tutors Stephen NicholasCity Academy Art TutorsCarl Randalll Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 15 Aug 2026 Sat 10:30-16:30 1 day Stephen Nicholas City Academy, Farringdon £93.50 15% OFF Book Now 25 Sep 2026 - 09 Oct 2026 Fri 18:00-20:30 3 weeks Stephen Nicholas City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 24 Oct 2026 Sat 10:30-16:30 1 day City Academy Art Tutors City Academy, Farringdon £110.00 Book Now 17 Nov 2026 - 01 Dec 2026 Tue 18:00-20:30 3 weeks City Academy Art Tutors City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 19 Dec 2026 Sat 10:30-16:30 1 day Carl Randalll City Academy, Farringdon £110.00 Book Now 15 Aug 15 Aug 2026 £93.50 Day:Sat Time:10:30-16:30 Duration:1 day Tutor: Stephen Nicholas Venue: City Academy, Farringdon Offer:15% OFF BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 25 Sep 25 Sep 2026 - 09 Oct 2026 £135.00 Day:Fri Time:18:00-20:30 Duration:3 weeks Tutor: Stephen Nicholas Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 24 Oct 24 Oct 2026 £110.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-16:30 Duration:1 day Tutor: City Academy Art Tutors Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 17 Nov 17 Nov 2026 - 01 Dec 2026 £135.00 Day:Tue Time:18:00-20:30 Duration:3 weeks Tutor: City Academy Art Tutors Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 19 Dec 19 Dec 2026 £110.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-16:30 Duration:1 day Tutor: Carl Randalll Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close ADD ME TO THE WAITING LIST If you'd like to be added to the waiting list for 'Portrait Painting Courses – Beginners' fill in the form below and we will contact you if a space becomes available. First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Number * PAYMENT OPTIONS You are welcome to join the course up to the second class. ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course. Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833. CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG. If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more places on the same course. INDUSTRY TUTORS City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance. CANCELLATIONS POLICY We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking. We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend. (For more information please see our terms and conditions) City Academy, Farringdon Closest Station: Farringdon Closest Bus Stop: Hatton Garden View Details Get Directions All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you, they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class. Stephen Nicholas View Profile City Academy Art Tutors View Profile 👤 Carl Randalll View Profile
