Drawing: Observation & Imagination

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

Drawing from Imagination

Drawing: Observation & Imagination Image

Course details

Dates

Tuesdays
12 Jan – 9 Feb 2027

Times

10:00 – 17:00

Duration

5 sessions

Fees

£298.00 Concessions available

Location

Online

Tutors

Pia Bramley

Leon Pozniakow

Bek Ashton Who takes the brunt of it all

Overview

By suggesting playful prompts to generate
ideas, 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superseded by an ability to take specific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 will be 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.

Art & Design teachers/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.
RDS 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.

Image: 'Going through it like prayers in the night sky.' by Samuel Donagh

Tutors

Pia Bramley

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumna, 2014

Leon Pozniakow

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumnus, 2013