City Gardens and Greenhouses

London's many parks and public gardens effectively make up the world's largest urban forest, with over eight million trees. None are too small to be inspiring.
  • Drawing Open Space
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City Gardens and Greenhouses Image

Course details

Dates

Tuesdays
28 Apr – 30 Jun 2026

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

10 sessions

Fees

£478.00 Concessions available

Location

Shoreditch studios

Tutors

Melissa Scott-Miller

Sara Lee Roberts

Mary Herbert Kyoto Garden

Overview

Throughout this course students will immerse themselves in the centre of our subject, looking at exquisite plants in Victorian Greenhouses in Kew Gardens, at views from atop Primrose Hill, at lakes and gardens in Regent’s Park and smaller inner-city parks. Students will discover how drawing outside heightens their senses, sharpens their focus, and resets their approach to capturing a sense of place. 

As the parks change season, borders become more exposed, trees are stripped from their outfits, branches are revealed, and maintained gardens start to lose shape. The marks we use should reflect this change in energy. Looking closely at the rhythms, shapes, and characters of a composed parkland where structure and design creates order, as well as the wild areas where nature arranges itself, students will challenge their approach to drawing each week.  

In wet weather there will be access to conservatories, greenhouses and indoor gardens. 

Who is it for

Beginners welcome. No experience of drawing required.  

What’s provided

For our courses being held out and about, you will need to bring your own paper and materials with you. You will be sent a suggested material list before the start of the course.   

What to bring

This is an example list of what may be needed; a full material lists will be provided one week before your course begins. Our suggestions include:

-Drawing Pencils
-Conté Crayons 
-Pastels
-Ink Pens  
-Coloured Pencils  
-Putty and Hard Erasers  
-Pencil Sharpener
-Sketchbook

Appropriate clothes for wet weather just in case

Concessions

We offer a range of discounts. To apply, email admin@royaldrawingschool.org with the required proof. Please wait for confirmation before booking.

Available discounts

  • NHS Staff: 20%
    Send a photo of your NHS staff badge.
  • Full-time Fine Art BA Students: 75%
    Students on design or applied arts degrees may also be eligible. Send your student ID and proof of enrolment.
  • Art and Design Teachers and tutors, from Primary and Secondary to Further and Higher Education: 50%
    Send a letter from your headteacher, dean, or head of art department on headed paper.
  • Jobseekers: 50%
    Send a recent DWP or JobCentre Plus letter confirming you receive Jobseeker’s Allowance. Appointment booklets are not accepted.
  • Disability Benefit Recipients: 50%
    Send proof that you currently receive this allowance.
  • Tower Hamlets and Hackney Residents: 25% (Shoreditch courses only)
    Send a copy of your most recent council tax bill.
  • Tower Hamlets and Hackney Businesses: 25% (Shoreditch courses only)
    Send a staff ID, business card or a letter from your line manager.
  • Over 60s: 10%
    Send a photo ID as proof of age.
  • Alumni: Postgraduate Programme or Foundation Year: 50% off short courses
    Online Drawing Development Year: 50% off online short courses

Before you apply

  • Documents must be dated within the last 6 months (or 12 months for council tax)
  • Your name must be clearly visible
  • Accepted file formats: PDF, JPG, DOC or DOCX

All our courses are subsidised.

 Image: 'Willow Tree in Spring' by Viola Wang 

Tutors

Melissa Scott-Miller loading=
Melissa Scott-Miller

Tutor

Sara Lee Roberts loading=
Sara Lee Roberts

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumna, 2008