Life Drawing: Observation and Imagination

This intensively structured course will open students to the possibilities of drawing from observation and imagination, true to each individual’s own experience of being in the world.

Life Drawing
Drawing from Imagination

Book now

Life Drawing: Observation and Imagination Image

Course details

Dates

22 October – 19 November 2025

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

5 sessions

Fees

£287.00 Concessions available

Location

Shoreditch studios

Tutors

Sophie Charalambous

Elizabeth McCarten

Overview

Students will draw from a number of observational sources, alongside learning how to source imagery ‘without looking’, but from their interior selves, building a solid group of drawings to provide a personal image bank. This image bank will form the foundation of idea generation, into which students will be guided through playful exercises. They will learn how to access that key moment of transformation, where the reliance on the primary source to make a drawing is superseded by an ability to take inspiration from it.

Each week will focus on aspects of composition, narrative, colour, emotion, editing and mark-making, always investigating how these more formal concerns contribute to the imaginative strength of an image. The final achievement of the course will be a complete work, or number of works, drawn from the realm of the imagination.

Please note this course has an emphasis on the use of imagination and memory which can at times elicit difficult feelings for some.

Who is it for

Beginners welcome. No experience of drawing required.

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.
Primary and Secondary Art Teachers: 50%
Send a letter from your headteacher or head of art department.
Jobseekers: 50%
Send a recent DWP or JobCentre Plus letter confirming you receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit (if out of work). 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.

Tutors

Sophie Charalambous

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2009

Elizabeth McCarten

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2013