Articles
Creative Wisdom
We believe that creativity is a force for good. Here, the artists at the heart of the RA – the Royal Academicians, Summer Exhibition artists and students of the RA Schools – share their ideas, inspiration and creative processes. We’d love to hear about yours, too. Find us on social media and use #creativewidsom.
RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
10 expert tips on visiting the Summer Exhibition
Faced with more than a thousand artworks, how can an art lover make the most of their annual pilgrimage to the Summer Exhibition? Veteran critic Mark Hudson draws from his professional experience to offer 10 useful pointers.
RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
How to paint ‘en plein air’ like Hockney and Constable
David Hockney works outdoors to capture his vibrant spring scenes – in a tradition that goes right back to Constable and the masters of the 18th century. Artist and tutor Andy Pankhurst shares some tips to get you started…
Artists
> 4 years ago
19 pieces of creative advice from artists and architects
There’s no right way to be creative – but leading artists and architects have plenty of tips to get you started. We revisited some of our most popular interviews to share creative wisdom from Antony Gormley, our President Rebecca Salter, Lubaina Himid and many more.
Artists
5 years ago
Rebecca Salter PRA: “Do not tell young people they can’t do things”
Meet Rebecca Salter PRA – the first female President in the RA’s 251-year history. Speaking in 2017 upon her election as Keeper of our Schools, she talks art and the next generation, trying a new culture and swimming in the winter.
RA Exhibitions
5 years ago
Some thoughts on painting, by Lucian Freud
“The painter’s obsession with his subject is all that he needs to drive him to work…” As his self-portraits go on show at the RA, we share Lucian Freud’s only published statement on his creative process. It reveals the uncompromising intensity behind his approach to painting.
RA Exhibitions
6 years ago
“Do you destroy your work? I do” – Phyllida Barlow and Harrison Birtwistle discuss creativity
As Phyllida Barlow prepares to open a new show of work at the RA, she joins composer Harrison Birtwistle, and journalist Fiona Maddocks, to exchange ideas about creativity – from how ideas arise to when you know they’re finished, and the trauma of titling.
Artists
6 years ago
Gilbert & George’s advice to today’s art students
Visiting the students of Wolverhampton School of Art, the Turner Prize-winning duo had some wisdom to bestow on today’s “baby artists”…
Artists
> 6 years ago
Eva Rothschild RA: “making things feels political”
With news that the Irish artist has been selected to represent her country at the 2019 Venice Biennale, we meet Eva Rothschild in her London studio to talk being a sculptor, parent and feminist.
Artists
> 7 years ago
Sonia Boyce: “If we can go to Mars, we can send more kids to art school”
Currently preparing for her retrospective at Manchester Art Gallery, artist and educator Sonia Boyce is the latest to reflect on art, life and lessons learnt in our ‘As I see it’ series. She talks tuition fees, a love of Liberty and why we should all be prepared to dream of something different…
Artists
> 7 years ago
Conrad Shawcross: “For the first time I see the political potential in my work”
With his new 16-metre installation suspended above commuters at St Pancras International, London-born sculptor Conrad Shawcross talks activism, optical illusions and why he likes a bit of trapeze.
Artists
> 7 years ago
Exploring watercolour with Christopher Le Brun PPRA
Think you know watercolour? Think again. Join Christopher Le Brun PPRA in his London studio as he debunks some of the myths about this versatile medium and its possibilities.
RA Exhibitions
< 8 years ago
Five graphic design ideas from the Russian Revolution
Soviet designers gave us dynamic geometry, bold typography and minimalist colour that feels right at home in 2017. Designer and author Steve Heller shares five key ideas you need to know.
Artists
8 years ago
Eddie Peake: “I wanted to do anything but be an artist”
Marking a solo show at White Cube Hong Kong, RA Schools alumnus Eddie Peake spoke to us about football, finding himself and “ferocious attention seeking.”
Artists
8 years ago
Antony Gormley: “We need art more than ever”
In our new series, artists reflect on art, life and lessons learnt. Here, Antony Gormley RA explains how he first found his subject, why the arts are vital in education and why he’s ashamed of Brexit.
Artists
8 years ago
How to… make a wood engraving, with Anne Desmet
In the first part of our new video series looking at artistic techniques, Anne Desmet RA demonstrates each step in creating a wood engraving, from tracing the original drawing through to printing a first proof.
RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
How I got into the Summer Exhibition
Every year there are around 13,000 public entries to the Summer Exhibition, with about 700 making it through to hang in the galleries. We asked 2016’s selected artists to share their creative secrets.
RA Exhibitions
9 years ago
Ai Weiwei’s rules for life and art
With a promise never to be silenced, China’s most famous artist has become known for his pithy, poetic words on freedom and creativity. We share 21 Weiwei-isms.
Artists
> 9 years ago
How to get into the Summer Exhibition? Try this advice
We asked the artists selected for this year’s Summer Exhibition to share their secrets, and tell us their personal rules for making art. Here’s what they said.
RA Exhibitions
> 9 years ago
Rebecca Salter RA on the tradition of Japanese woodblock printing
The Academician has spent her career studying and promoting the threatened art of Japanese woodblock printing. Here, she tells us about her new prints, commissioned for the Summer Exhibition.
Inside the Academy
> 9 years ago
Five quick tips to improve your life-drawing
The RA Schools’ Head of Sculpture and Printmaking led a life-drawing masterclass as part of our first Friends week. Here he shares five key pieces of advice.
Artists
> 9 years ago
Michael Craig-Martin RA: advice for an aspiring artist
In an extract from his new book, the Royal Academician who nurtured talents including Gary Hume, Sarah Lucas and Damien Hirst offers his insights into how to get on in art and the art world.
Artists
> 9 years ago
10 minutes with… Michael Landy RA
Each month we catch up with a different Royal Academician. This month, here’s Michael Landy RA on destroying his work, being afraid of Tracey Emin and why young artists need a thick skin.
Artists
> 9 years ago
Hughie O’Donoghue RA: “painting is archaeology in reverse”
The Royal Academician explains how the nature of memory and a sense of place are driving forces in his latest series of paintings.
Opinion
> 9 years ago
10 game-changing art manifestos
From Sir Joshua Reynolds to the Guerrilla Girls, artists have often set out their visions for art in manifestos. Let’s take a look at some of the ones that shook up the art world.
RA Exhibitions
< 10 years ago
Notes to myself: Diebenkorn’s 10 rules for painting
Sometime in his later career, Diebenkorn wrote down ten points of artistic intention. Sharing them here, we also begin a new series of notes, asking artists to share their own creative wisdom.