Local Landscapes: People and Places

This course is an opportunity to explore and respond to the rich variety of urban landscapes in London.

Drawing Open Space

Book now

Local Landscapes: People and Places Image

Course details

Dates

18 September – 20 November 2025

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

10 sessions

Fees

£478.00 Concessions available

Location

Parks & urban spaces

Tutors

Paul Patrick Fenner

Julian Vilarrubi

Sophie Charalambous Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival, St Paul's Church Covent Garden

Overview

Drawing outside can be more than an end in itself. Pierre Bonnard used small outdoor drawings as the source for his colourful ambitious paintings. Work made on site has a freshness and urgency and the limitations of time and space can provoke risk-taking and innovation. Work can be extended on different sheets of paper or collaged together. Some drawings could be studies of figures, dogs etc. and other drawings could be like stage sets. Written notes can be used to add to the atmosphere.

We will consider artists such as Leon Kossof and Frank Auerbach whose London drawings were the foundations of much of their work, as well as Burra’s paintings of cafés and bars, Hopper, the Ashcan painters, Groz, Kirchner, Dix, Manet, Sickert, Jacob Lawrence, Immendorf and Jockum Nordstorm. Students will be encouraged to experiment with different sizes, materials and speeds of drawing.

Who is it for

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

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.
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

Paul Patrick Fenner

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2012

Julian Vilarrubi

Tutor