Written by Paul Worrall
My own first life drawing class was in London, which I mentioned in my wider guide to finding a life drawing class near you. What I didn’t say there is just how much choice the capital actually has once you start looking — from a relaxed drop-in above a pub in East London to a proper tutored course inside the Royal Academy itself. London genuinely has more range than anywhere else in the UK, at every price point and every level of seriousness.
I’m Paul Worrall. I spent nearly a decade running digital marketing for ARTdiscount, one of the UK’s largest online art retailers, and I now run Discount Art Supplies — a price comparison platform used by over 41,000 UK artists every week. Here’s an honest breakdown of where to actually go, depending on what you want out of it.
Casual and Drop-In: East London Life Drawing
If you want the lowest-pressure way in, London Life Drawing (previously known as Bethnal Green Life Drawing) has been running relaxed sessions in East London since 2004, taught by professional artist Adrian Dutton across several venues including the Garrett Centre near Bethnal Green tube. Materials, tea and snacks are provided, and sessions genuinely welcome everyone from complete beginners to experienced animators. It’s the kind of group where nobody bats an eyelid at a first-timer, which makes it importent as a starting point if the whole idea still feels a bit intimidating.
Groups like this found through Meetup tend to be the most affordable option in London by some distance, with no long course commitment needed — you just turn up when you fancy it.
Structured Courses: City Lit
City Lit in Covent Garden is genuinely the go-to for anyone wanting proper, structured tuition rather than just drop-in practice. Their range covers everything from a relaxed “Life Drawing After Work” session designed for people coming straight from the office, through to more in-depth courses on life drawing into life painting. Small group sizes and professional working artists as tutors make this consistantly one of the most recommended options for anyone serious about actually improving rather than just practising.
Serious Study: Royal Academy and Royal Drawing School
For something more immersive, the Royal Academy runs life drawing classes inside its historic Life Room at the RA Schools — genuinely one of the more special settings you’ll find anywhere in the country, with courses covering both historic and contemporary approaches to the practice. Prices sit higher than a casual session, generally in the low hundreds for a short course including materials and refreshments, reflecting the calibre of tuition and setting.
The Royal Drawing School, based mainly in Shoreditch with additional studios in central and south London, offers a similarly serious route, with courses running from roughly £275 upward and some options aimed at younger students from age eleven. Both are genuinely worth it if you want dedicated, expert-led study rather than casual practice.
Other Genuine Options Worth Knowing
City Academy runs art courses including dedicated life drawing workshops across multiple central London venues, with all materials provided, and tends to sit at a more accessable price point than the Royal Academy or Royal Drawing School while still offering proper tuition. Central Saint Martins also runs public-facing drawing courses alongside its degree programmes, worth checking if you want a taste of art school teaching without enrolling as a student.
Which One’s Actually Right for You
If you just want to try it once and see how you feel, start with a Meetup drop-in — low cost, no commitment, genuinely welcoming. If you’ve been a few times and want real feedback on your work, City Lit or City Academy are the sensible next step. And if you’re properly serious about developing figure drawing as a skill, the Royal Academy or Royal Drawing School are worth the investment. There’s no wrong starting point — just pick based on how committed you’re feeling right now, not how committed you think you should be.
FAQ
What’s the cheapest way to try life drawing in London?
A casual drop-in group found through Meetup is genuinely the most affordable route, often costing a fraction of a structured course at somewhere like City Lit or the Royal Academy, with no long-term commitment needed.
Do I need to book life drawing classes in London in advance?
Structured courses at places like City Lit and the Royal Academy usually need booking well ahead, as popular ones fill up. Casual drop-in Meetup sessions are generally more flexible, though it’s still worth checking capacity before turning up.
Are London life drawing classes suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, most genuinely are. Casual groups tend to welcome all levels without question, and most structured courses clearly mark which sessions are aimed at beginners versus more experienced artists.
Whatever kind of class you go for, it’s worth a quick check on sketchbook and pencil prices before you turn up — they vary more across UK retailers than people expect. At Discount Art Supplies we compare prices across all the major UK art retailers in real time, so you can find the best current deal before your first session.
