Drawing from Visual Culture

Traveling across the world, and through time, we will discover the amazing things other people have made, and ask ‘how can this help me make a drawing today’?

Life Drawing

Course details

Dates

Fridays
18 Sep – 20 Nov 2026

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

10 sessions

Fees

£498.00 Concessions available

Location

Shoreditch studios

Tutors

Lindsay Sekulowicz

Antje Southern

Richard Ayodeji Ikhide

Julian Bell

Akilah Chambers Emerge

Overview

Over the course we will look at wonders such as Yoruba door panels from Nigeria, prehistoric wall paintings, Indian miniatures, Persian ceramic tiles and meso-American sculpture. We’ll think about how diverse image traditions have been responded to in contemporary artists’ practices.

Across the sessions we’ll work with a model, and directly from the source images themselves. We’ll transform what we see into our own visual worlds. Learning to do this we’ll try lots of different strategies: working tiny and private; huge on the floor with sticks; drawing from film; and from memory. The three course tutors will give different perspectives on how they think about, and draw from, the images that inspire them, giving insights as to how we can employ some of these new perspectives and methods to our practices as Artists.

Simply put, if you have a favourite exhibition postcard and often wondered how you might work from it, this course will help you explore this very avenue of inspiration. 

Who is it for

Artists, creatives and image-makers of all levels welcome, including beginners.

What’s provided

For studio courses, easels, drawing boards, charcoal, newsprint and masking tape are provided in the studios for free. There is an added paper fee included at the time of booking which covers the use of cartridge and watercolour paper that is provided in the studios. Any other materials you would like to use please bring with you; we will send out a suggested material list before the start of your course.

What to bring

You are encouraged to bring your own additional materials for personal use only, to the studio. 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

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