Fact sheet, Summer School 2026 From Image to Environment, Gallery to Street
When
Monday 6 Jul – 10 Jul 2026. 10am to 5pm.
Where
Various locations, see below.
Who
About
Moving between the inspiration of historical artworks and the energy of London’s environment, this course invites you to develop your approach to drawing and sketching.
In the mornings, we will spend time with influential artworks, exploring their compositions and strategies. In the afternoons, we will take these ideas into the cityscape and develop our own responses. Over four days, you will draw from paintings in several galleries, such as the National Gallery, the V&A, the Wallace Collection and Tate galleries. You will sketch from works that will enrich your afternoon drawing outdoors, from example paintings by historical and modern artists.
In the afternoons, we will draw by the river, a park and in lively city locations. You will learn how to sketch outdoors in an energetic and responsive way, explore spatial ideas and develop techniques for drawing people within an environment. On the fifth day, we will spend the entire day drawing outside, giving you the opportunity to choose and develop your own particular way of working.
Location & timetable
Occasionally locations/meeting points may need to change so please check your emails the night before classes are due to take place and bring your mobile phone with you on the day so that the administrator can contact you if need be.
It is also very important that you arrive punctually (in time for the class to begin at 10am) for each class as the class will usually move away from the meeting point quite quickly at the beginning of the day.
Monday 6 July
The National Gallery.
Please meet outside the Sainsbury Wing Entrance.
When: 10am
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square.
Lunch is 1-2pm.
After lunch please meet at 2pm by the Eros Statue in Piccadilly Circus.
Tuesday 7 July
Victoria and Albert Museum
Please meet at main entrance to the V&A on Cromwell Road.
When: 10am
Lunch is from 1-2pm
After lunch please meet at 2pm at the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park.
Wednesday 8 July
Tate Britain
Please meet at the Manton Entrance to the side of Tate Britain, Atterbury Street, SW1P 4RG.
When: 10am
Lunch will be from 1-2pm
After lunch will be drawing on Thames.
Thursday 9 July
Wallace Collection
Please meet at the main entrance, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN.
Please arrive promptly as we will enter as a group.
When: 10am
Nearest Tube: Bond Street
Friday 10 July
TBC
Materials
Please ensure you only bring materials you will need and are able to carry comfortably. If you are working out and about, some days can involve a lot of walking so please dress appropriately bringing waterproofs and an umbrella or sun cream depending on the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Please carry a bottle of water.
The following materials are not allowed in the National Gallery and other museums:
- Charcoal, watercolour, chalk, pastels, large bags. Please read the National Gallery's Admission Policy for more information.
Students are permitted to bring:
- Charcoal pencils
- Aquarelle crayons or pencils
- Pens
- Biros
- Felt tips
- Graphite
Students must bring:
- A3 or A4 drawing pad or;
- Sheets of paper on a board of their preferred size
- Sketching pencils (2b or higher)
- Eraser and sharpener
- Chunky graphite stick
You may also like to bring these materials for drawing outside:
- Pastels
- Charcoal
Please bring materials that you would like to try. We also strongly recommend that you bring a stool.
You can buy collapsible ones in art shops, fish tackle shops or online for around £10.
What to expect
There will be a one-hour lunch break generally between 1-2pm each day and regular breaks throughout the day.
Contact
If you are unable to attend a class or know that you will be delayed, please email admin@royaldrawingschool.org or call 020 7613 8568 (option 1) in as far advance as possible.