Townscape Drawing: Capturing the architecture of Piccadilly
Practical Workshop
9 July 2016 10.30am - 5.30pm10 July 2016 10.30am - 5.30pm
The Life Room, RA Schools; General Assembly Room, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts; as well as various locations within the Piccadilly area
£360.
Terms and conditions
Architect Benedict O’Looney will lead a weekend devoted to sketching the iconic buildings and places of interest in and around the Royal Academy and central London, including drawing the landscape of Piccadilly from the roof of Fortnum & Mason.
Established in the Medieval period, Piccadilly has long served as a main road in the heart of London. In the 1600s, some of the most notable homes and buildings were erected in this area. One of these, Burlington House, is the last surviving town palace of its kind, built in 1668 and now home to the Royal Academy. Architecture has been a central part of the Royal Academy since its foundation in 1768 and today the RA can boast some of the world’s greatest architects, from Richard Rogers and Norman Foster to Will Alsop and Louisa Hutton.
In this two-day practical course, Architect Benedict O’Looney will lead an exploration into the landscape of the buildings that surround the Royal Academy including the cityscape of Piccadilly. By being introduced to the work of some of London’s great topographical draftsmen, including Wenceslaus Hollar, Canaletto, Sandby and Turner, this two day workshop explores techniques for interpreting the landscape, creating topographical forms, handling perspective and recording the architecture. Using the Academy’s unique collection of works on paper, this course will reference a number of Architects from the Royal Academy, including Norman Shaw, Eric Parry and Norman Foster. As well as an historical and theoretical review, the workshop will move into the streets and squares of Piccadilly exploring iconic buildings and views of the street and cityscape.
This is an opportunity to improve your drawing skills focussing on the city and urban architecture, using a range of mediums and techniques including pencil, ink and watercolour. This workshop also provides an exciting opportunity to explore and learn about the architecture of some of London’s most significant and iconic West End buildings.
This course will include the rare opportunity to gain access to the roof of Fortnum & Mason to draw both the Royal Academy's building, and the architecture of Piccadilly. Established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason in Duke Street, Fortnum & Mason's current and familiar Neo-Georgian building on Piccadilly was built in the 1920s. They underwent a £24 million refurbishment in 2007 as part of its tercentenary celebrations, led by architectural firm Jestico + Whiles.
£360.
Terms and conditions
About the course
Benedict O'Looney is an architect and architecture Lecturer living and working in London. Prior to establishing his own practice, Benedict O’Looney Architects, he worked for both Nicholas Grimshaw RA and Will Alsop RA Architects, helping restore and re-build Paddington Station and the Bath Spa. Benedict O’Looney Architects was founded in 2004 and has completed a range of works, including a number of important public projects across London. Benedict has taught history and sketching at the Architectural Association, Canterbury School of Architecture and New York University. He was President of the London Sketch Club and the chair of Southwark’s Conservation Areas Advisory Group.
This course is for you if:
• You are interested in drawing with a focus on urban architecture and the townscape
• You have some prior knowledge of drawing and would like to extend your skills in architectural drawing
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to drawing buildings
• You would like the opportunity to develop your skills and ideas in a small group setting and get inspiration from group discussion and debate
• You have no prior experience of drawing but an interest in the theory and practice of art more widely
Minimum age 18
This course is suitable for all levels, preferably with some prior experience of drawing.
The number of participants is strictly limited to 15 to enable detailed feedback from the Course Tutor for each participant on the work that they create.
• An introduction to the Academy and the unique role Academicians and their work has played in the landscape of London
• Special reference to works in the Academy library and archives on topographical drawing
• A unique opportunity to visit the roof of Fortnum & Mason and draw the landscape of Piccadilly from there
• All practical materials
• Refreshments at the beginning of the day and a wine reception at the end of the second day
Please note – lunch is not included
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.
Related events
- Short courseFree
The Primary Art School
9 January - 12 June 2025
- Short course
Art and conflict
1 February - 2 February 2025
- Short course
Modernism around the world
4 February - 11 March 2025
- Short course
Portrait photography: ideas from modernism
15 February - 16 February 2025
- Short course
The Art of Carnival
1 March 2025
- Short course
Botanical art
11 March - 8 April 2025
- Short course
Exploring ink: method and imagination
29 March - 30 March 2025
- Short course
Depicting the figure: Renaissance to Modernism
29 April - 27 May 2025
- Short course
Revolutionaries and Romantics: art and literature in France
17 May - 18 May 2025
- Short course
Oil painting: techniques and discovery
17 May - 18 May 2025
- Short course
Sketch with stitch
21 June - 22 June 2025
- Short course
Connoisseurship summer school: who painted what, when and how to tell
1 July - 5 July 2025
- Short course
Life drawing summer school
8 July - 12 July 2025
- Short course
Drawing with anatomy
15 July - 19 July 2025
- Short course
Expressive life drawing: observation and imagination
15 July - 19 July 2025
- Short course
Landscapes: van Gogh and his influence
2 September - 6 September 2025