Scenic Art

This five-day course in scenic art led by Vanessa Cass, Head of Design Realisation at Guildhall School, will introduce you to scenic painting techniques used to create realistic backdrops and set pieces for theatre, events and TV.

In the foreground towards the right, a person with short brown hair wearing a striped top and a tattoo on their arm sits at a desk with a paintbrush in one hand and a cup of water in the other. On the desk is a painting they are working on, as well as other paints and designs to copy from. In the background you can see other individuals at desks blurred in a studio.

Key information:

Course dates:: Mon 28 July – Fri 1 August 2025
Course times:: 10am–5pm
Age:: 16+
Art form:: Production Arts
Fees:: £595
Deadline:: Bookings will close at 5pm on Monday 30 June 2025 or when the course reaches full capacity
Level of study:: Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+) | Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
Mode of study:: In-person
Venue:: Guildhall School of Music & Drama
When:: Summer Schools (July–August)
Contact details:: shortcourses@gsmd.ac.uk; +44 (0)20 7382 2310

There is very limited availability remaining on this course. Please join our waiting list and we will contact you if a place becomes available.

Bookings will close at 5pm on Monday 30 June 2025 or when the course reaches full capacity
Please note that accommodation is not available
Read our terms and conditions

Ages 16+

Course Dates & Times

Monday 28 July – Friday 1 August 2025
10am–5pm

About Scenic Art

This five-day course in scenic art led by Vanessa Cass, Head of Design Realisation at Guildhall School, will introduce you to scenic painting techniques used to create realistic backdrops and set pieces for theatre, events and TV.

Who is the course for?

Anyone aged 16 and over, with an interest in learning new painting skills and more about the role of a scenic artist
All levels of ability are welcome

What can I expect?

You will learn:

How to scale up from a designer’s model
Techniques for transferring an image
How to prepare a surface for painting
The correct way to mix colours
The appropriate choice of equipment and materials for your paint finish
How to achieve a range of paint effects like wood, stone, metal and marble
How to use textures to replicate bricks, plaster and concrete

You will work on a small backcloth on the paint frame and individual canvases of Trompe L’oeil painting (an art technique which means to 'deceive the eye' in French). Pieces of work can be taken home throughout the week.

Do I need anything for the course?

Please consider your choice of clothing and footwear, as you will be working with paint throughout the week. Old clothes, overalls and shoes are encouraged.

"Our teacher was fantastic, friendly, informative and helped each of us reach our individual goals."

– Participant on Scenic Art, 2024

Course Fee

£595

There is very limited availability remaining on this course. Please join our waiting list and we will contact you if a place becomes available.

Bookings will close at 5pm on Monday 30 June 2025 or when the course reaches full capacity
Please note that accommodation is not available
Read our terms and conditions

Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for Participation Bursaries is 28 April 2025.

Eligibility

We welcome participants from all ages 16 and over
Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
No prior experience required

About the Course Tutor

The course is taught by Vanessa Cass, Head of Design Realisation / Scenic Art Lecturer at Guildhall School.

Vanessa originally studied for a Fine Art degree at Leeds University. For a number of years she combined working at the Royal Academy of Art with having a studio and producing her own artwork. In 1994 she studied Scenic Art and Prop Making at Central School of Speech and Drama and went on to work full-time as a Scenic Artist.

She has painted scenery and backcloths primarily for theatre and has worked for The National Theatre, Royal Opera House, English National Opera and Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Other scenic work has included adverts, corporate parties, theme parks, murals and children’s television.

She has taught Scenic Art part-time at Central School of Speech and Drama, completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.