Saturday Etching (Weeks 6 – 10)

A five-week etching course, for students who cannot access the week-day classes and who would like a shorter introduction or refresher course. Drop-in sessions available.

Printmaking and Etching

Course details

Dates

7 June – 5 July 2025

Times

11:00 – 16:00

Duration

5 sessions

Fees

£238.00 | £29 drop-in Concessions available

Location

Shoreditch studios

Tutors

Rossen Daskalov

Martin Shortis

Maj Lisa Dörig My Mother in her Studio

Overview

A five-week etching course, for students who cannot access the week-day classes and who would like a shorter introduction or refresher course.

Each session will focus on a different process starting with drypoint and followed by hardground, soft ground, aquatint and sugarlift. At the end of the five weeks, students will achieve a basic level of competence in etching within our print room. All levels welcome, including beginners.

Our Print Room has limited access and etching involves using hazardous chemicals. The print room environment is not suitable for everyone. Etching classes are unsuitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those sensitive to chemicals or with breathing difficulties.

A limited number of untutored drop-in places are available for alumni and experienced public students (with a tutor’s recommendation). No booking required – simply turn up and pay on the day. £29 per session (full day only, no half-day option). Places are first come, first served.

Who is it for

Beginners welcome. No experience of etching required if booking full course.

Drop-ins are available for experienced etchers only. No booking required – simply turn up and pay on the day. Places are first come, first served.

What’s provided

For printmaking courses, a fully equipped intaglio print room is provided for students to work with etching, collograph and monoprint. Plates and paper can be bought at just over the cost-price in the print room (card payments only). On average, most students usually spend between £10 - £20 for a 10 week course.

What to bring

You will need to wear apron/old clothes and bring some ideas and source material with you.

Required materials include:

Basic drawing materials
Eraser
Nylon sable-type brush, between sizes 2 -6

Optional materials include:

Dry point needle or etching needle
Burnisher
Magnifying glass
Scraper

If you already own etching tools, please mark them with some tape or coloured paint and bring them along. Further material lists are provided a week before your course begins.

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.