Drawing: Observation & Imagination

Reveal the possibilities of drawing from both observation and imagination and discover how these two seemingly opposing approaches may connect and flow.

Drawing from Imagination

Book now

Drawing: Observation & Imagination Image

Course details

Dates

16 September – 14 October 2025

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

5 sessions

Fees

£287.00

Location

Online

Tutors

Gabrielle Lockwood Estrin

Pia Bramley

Overview

By suggesting playful prompts to generate ideas, the tutors offer chances for students to become untethered from the observable world, finding a place where reliance on reference objects and images is superseded by an ability to take specific inspiration from the subject matter, allowing you to take an imaginative leap into drawings that feel inspiring and personal.

Students will investigate how concerns of composition, narrative, colour, emotion, editing and mark-making contribute to the imaginative strength of an image, its believability and possibility to transmit ideas to others. Fast paced exercises are balanced with opportunities to develop ideas and drawings independently and at a slower pace.

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 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.
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

Gabrielle Lockwood Estrin

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2014

Pia Bramley

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2014