The Artist's Eye: Drawing from Natural History

This course explores natural history from botany and zoology through to anthropology, geology, and palaeontology. It considers whether drawing and art practice can contribute to these fields. 

Drawing from Art

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Course details

Dates

Tuesdays
28 Apr – 26 May 2026

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

5 sessions

Fees

£287.00 Concessions available

Location

Online

Tutors

Lindsay Sekulowicz

Antje Southern

Overview

Each week we will study a different theme to uncover new stories and explore ways of responding. Students will work with selected drawings from medieval florilegia to explorer’s sketchbooks, unravelling stories behind paper archives and explore contemporary collaborations in art and science. Each will give a different way of seeing, knowing, and representing the world.

We will then look to physical objects in global collections, such as the Smithsonian's Institute’s minerals or the Field Museum’s entomology and ornithology collections, bringing new insights to drawn responses.

Students are welcome to work in a range of materials, however particular focus will be given to graphite drawing, watercolour and collage.  

Who is it for

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

What’s provided

For our online courses, you will receive prior to the start of the course access to our Padlet Noticeboard where you will be given course details, material lists and some references, as well as our Padlet Gallery where you will be able to upload and comment on work created during the course.

What to bring

For our online courses, you must provide your own materials. Feel free to use any that you would like to during classes, however other suggestions may be posted on the Padlet noticeboard throughout the course by tutors. This is a suggested list of what may be needed:

-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

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

Lindsay Sekulowicz

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumna, 2008

Antje Southern

Tutor