Drawing: the essentials
Weekend-long practical course
17 February 2018 10.30am - 5.30pm18 February 2018 10.30am - 5.30pm
The Life Room, RA Schools, Piccadilly
£240 per day. £420 for two days. Includes all materials, lunch, and wine reception at the end of each day.
From Life
Terms and conditions
Study the fundamentals of drawing in this back-to-basics practical course. Participants will work from specially selected objects, as well as from both male and female life models to explore line and tone, perspective and scale, measuring and foreshortening.
Drawing is a natural way to interpret the world that we see around us. It can be an expression of ourselves, our character and our creativity, as well as being a visual tool; an alternative language device employed to communicate thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the human form, or working from still life, to draw is to understand how objects relate to one another, and how environments affect the way we view them.
"Drawing is a way of coming upon the connection between things, just like a metaphor in poetry reconnects what has become separated."
John Berger, 2011
This weekend-long course has been designed to encourage participants to uncover the fundamentals of drawing. Split into two separate days, the first day will focus on the object, using items from the RA's historic teaching collection to explore mark making, line and tone, shape, subject, space, framing, composition and shading. On the second day, participants will build on this by working from both male and female life models to study measuring, proportions and foreshortening. Additionally, perspective and scale will be a continuous discussion point throughout the two days.
£240 per day. £420 for two days. Includes all materials, lunch, and wine reception at the end of each day.
From Life
Terms and conditions
About the course
Day one – Working from specially selected objects, participants will work with a variety of wet and dry materials including Conté, chalk, charcoal, pencil and ink to explore mark making, line and tone, shape, subject, space, framing, composition and shading.
Day two – The second day will be spent working from both male and female life models, with a range of wet and dry materials, to uncover the fundamentals of measuring, proportions and foreshortening in relation to the physical form.
Perspective and scale will be discussed throughout the two days.
This course is suitable for enthusiastic and curious beginners, and also those with previous experience of drawing who wish to further develop their understanding, technique and ability, informed by historical approaches.
This course is for you if:
• You are curious to learn traditional approaches to drawing that are rooted in observation from the object and from the model, and wish to do so in a creative, experimental and supportive professional environment.
• You wish to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the implications of drawing.
• You would appreciate learning to develop approaches to drawing amongst a group of like minded individuals in a focused, relaxed and supported manner.
• You have some prior knowledge of drawing and/or art practise and would like to expand upon your skills.
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to drawing.
• You have no prior experience of drawing, but are interested in the details of these practises and techniques.
Minimum age 18
The number of participants is strictly limited to enable detailed feedback from the course tutor.
Price per day: £240
Price for both days: £420
Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 January 2018
10.30am – 5.30pm on both days
Includes:
• An introduction to the Academy with particular reference to relevant works from the Collection
• Exclusive access to the RA Schools historic life drawing room
• Access to both male and female professional life models
• All practical materials and equipment
• Light refreshments and lunch each day
• A drinks reception at the end of each day
• A certificate of participation upon course completion
About the tutor
Sarah Simblet
Dr Sarah Simblet is a fine artist, writer, broadcaster and anatomist, whose work explores the relationship between science, history and art. The author of Anatomy for the Artist (2001), The Drawing Book (2005), Botany for the Artist (2010) and co-author of The New Sylva (2014), Sarah is dedicated to sharing and encouraging visual intelligence in others through her drawings, teaching and broadcasting worldwide. She is also the Tutor in Anatomy at the Ruskin School of Art (BFA).
About the space
The Life Room
The Royal Academy’s historic Life Room sits at the heart of the RA Schools. Usually closed to the public, this unique and significant space was designed in the 1860s, when the galleries and art school first moved to Burlington Gardens.
The semi-circular seating arrangement, based on an ancient design, traces its British history back to Hogarth’s Academy in St Martin’s Lane, c.1730. Directional light is used to enhance the delineation of the model’s musculature and aid life drawing, which has been practised in this room by generations of Royal Academy artists and students.
Our courses and classes programme
Our programme of short courses and classes offers the opportunity to explore a range of subjects, led by expert tutors and practising artists.
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