Putney School of Art and Design

The final week of Summer School is here.

There’s still time to try something new, return to a medium you already enjoy or develop your practice through one of PSAD’s short creative courses. swipe to see some of the atmosphere and highlights from Summer School so far.

This week’s programme brings together landscape and watercolour painting, drawing and pastels, life drawing and abstract painting, alongside screenprinting, drypoint and experimental printmaking. You can also explore something a little different with Introduction to Book Art, or spend time in the pottery studios with pottery workshops, glazing and independent practice.

For younger creatives, the week also includes Art & Design and Photography for Young People, Kids Art Club and pottery sessions.

Explore the full Week 4 schedule and book via the link in bio. Limited places remain on selected courses.

Have you spotted these tiled panels around PSAD?

They were made by PSAD students, tutors and staff as part of the Friends of PSAD Res’tiling PSAD project, launched to celebrate Wandsworth London Borough of Culture 2025.

The project brought together people from across the school - not only potters - to paint ready-made tiles, creating a colourful record of the creativity that happens here every day. More than 300 tiles were made, glazed, assembled and installed across both PSAD sites, including Oxford Road and the 3D campus.

A huge thank you to the Friends of PSAD , to all the students, tutors and staff who took part, and a special thank you to tutor Leigh Jenkinson for her incredible work preparing tiles, organising painting sessions and glazing so many of the finished pieces.

Made at PSAD - and now part of the school itself.

Interested in learning ceramics, pottery, sculpture or mixed media? Explore upcoming courses through the link in bio.

One final week to make something this summer.

Week 4 of Summer School runs from 10–15 August at Putney School of Art and Design, with limited places still available on selected short courses for adults, children, young people and families.

Swipe through the schedule to find classes across:

• drawing, pastels, life drawing and abstract painting
• landscape, watercolour and outdoor painting
• screenprinting, drypoint, book art and experimental printmaking
• pottery workshops, glazing and independent studio practice
• art, photography and pottery courses for children and young people
• creative family learning sessions

Courses range from focused one-day workshops to two- and three-day programmes, giving you time to try a new process, return to a familiar medium or spend the final week of Summer School developing your practice.

This is the last week of the 2026 programme, so take a look through the schedule and book soon if a course stands out.

Book via the link in bio.

Pastel drawing sits somewhere between drawing and painting - giving you the immediacy of mark-making with the richness of colour.

Chalk pastels are known for their soft, vibrant effects and are a great medium for exploring tone, texture, light and atmosphere. They can be used for quick expressive studies or built up in layers to create more detailed work, making them a flexible choice for still life, landscapes and portrait drawing.

At Summer School, you can explore pastel through different subjects and approaches:

• Expressive Pastels: Still Life - 5 Aug
• Expressive Pastels: Landscapes - 6 Aug
• Pastel Portraits - 7 Aug
• Drawing & Pastels - 12 Aug

Book your place through the link in bio.

Lino Printing Day takes you through the full linocut printmaking process in one practical course, from developing your initial design to carving, colour mixing and producing a finished print.

With guidance from an experienced printmaker, you will learn how to plan an image, transfer it onto a lino block, use cutting tools safely and print onto different papers. You will also consider colour and finishing techniques to help your final work look clear and well resolved.

Bring drawings, photographs, found images or objects that you may want to use as inspiration. You can also arrive without a prepared idea and develop your design during the course. Beginners and experienced artists are both welcome.
Specialist paper, lino and other printmaking materials are available from the PSAD art shop. Bring your own cutting tools when possible.

Summer School 2026 dates:
29 July, 10am–4pm
4 August, 10am–4pm
5 August, 10am–4pm
Book your Lino Printing Day through the link in bio.

Made a pot you love, then felt completely unsure about the glazing stage?

The Pottery Glazing Workshop at PSAD is designed for ceramic students who want to choose glazes with more confidence and achieve more consistent results.

You will learn about glaze composition, different types of glaze, application methods and common glazing problems. The workshop also covers kiln temperature and atmosphere, glazing larger ceramic pieces, designing pots with glazing in mind and using the spray booth safely.

This practical ceramics course is suitable for students with some pottery-making experience. Bring four to eight small or medium pieces of bisqueware or test tiles to glaze. Some bisqueware can be supplied when needed. Pieces made elsewhere must be accompanied by the exact name of the clay body so its suitability for firing can be checked.

Please also bring paintbrushes, a notebook and an FFP1 or FFP2 mask for the spray booth. Masks can be purchased at PSAD.

Summer School 2026 dates:

27–28 July, 10am–12.30pm
3–4 August, 10am–12.30pm
10–11 August, 10am–12.30pm

Book through the link in bio.

These started as blank lino blocks 🖤

A selection of prints from our lino printing course - bold portraits, layered colour and completely different ideas, all created here in the PSAD studios.

We could say more, but honestly, the work speaks for itself.

Find upcoming lino printing and printmaking courses through the link in bio.

Have plenty of photographs of your pet, but wish you could create a portrait that truly captures their personality?

Drawing & Painting Pets at Putney School of Art and Design is a relaxed two-day course where animal lovers can create a unique portrait of a much-loved companion.

Working from a printed photograph, you will be guided through the process of drawing or painting your pet, from the first sketches to the final details. Your subject could be a dog, cat, bird, reptile or another special member of the family.

You will explore different sketching techniques and drawing and painting materials, learning how to capture distinctive features, expressions and character rather than simply copying a photograph.

No painting experience is needed, making this an enjoyable course for beginners, while more experienced artists can develop their animal portrait drawing and painting skills. Some drawing experience may help you get more from the course, but all levels are welcome.

Bring at least one clear printed colour photograph of your pet and any drawing or water-based painting materials you already own. Coloured pencils and soft pastels can also be used. Paper and additional art supplies are available from the PSAD art shop.

By the end of the course, you will have explored a range of pet portrait techniques and created a bespoke portrait of your companion.

Start this Wednesday! Summer School 2026 dates:

23–24 July, 10am–4pm

Book the Drawing & Painting Pets course through the link in bio.

Still thinking about it? Summer School starts tomorrow.

If you’ve been meaning to book a summer art course but haven’t got round to it yet, there is still time to join us for Week 1 at Putney School of Art and Design. There are still limited places available on selected Summer School courses, starting from Tuesday 21 July.

Swipe to see what’s on from 21–25 July.

Week 1 includes a wide range of art classes for adults, children, young people and families, including:
• drawing and painting courses
• watercolour illustration and introduction to watercolour painting
• screenprinting, lino printing and experimental printmaking
• pottery workshops and open studio pottery
• digital photography and Photoshop
• family learning pottery and drawing & painting
• kids art club and art & design for young people

Whether you want to try a new creative hobby, build confidence, keep a child busy with something creative over the holidays, or finally book the art class you’ve been thinking about, this is a great time to start.

Limited places are still available on selected courses, so if something catches your eye, now is the time to book.

Book via the link in bio.

Not sure which printmaking technique is right for you? Try several in one practical session.

Experimental Printmaking at Putney School of Art and Design gives you the freedom to test different processes without committing to just one. Work with linocut, collagraph, monotype, monoprint, mono-drawing, Tetra Pak printing and hybrid combinations as you develop your own images, marks and textures.

Tutor demonstrations and individual guidance will help you understand each process and turn your experiments into original prints. Beginners can build confidence with the basics, while more experienced printmakers can use the session to loosen up their practice and test new combinations of materials.

Bring a notebook, basic drawing materials and any paper, card or textures you would like to work with, such as string, cotton, twine or sandpaper. Printing paper and additional materials are available from the PSAD art shop.

Summer School 2026 dates:

12 August, 10am–4pm
15 August, 10am–4pm

All levels are welcome. Book your preferred Experimental Printmaking course through the link in bio.