Evening Etching

This course will focus on introducing students to various intaglio printmaking techniques that have helped form and shape the many wonderful emotions and ideas of artists.

Printmaking and Etching

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Course details

Dates

16 September – 18 November 2025

Times

18:30 – 21:00

Duration

10 sessions

Fees

£300.00 Concessions available

Location

Shoreditch studios

Tutors

Tara Versey

Isobel Neviazsky Self Portrait as the Flea

Overview

From its primary function of being reproducible and accessible, the print process has continually been expanded and reinvented. The works of many artists demonstrate the benefits of the medium in its own right or alongside a co-existing practice. From Rembrandt’s close observation of the world around him to Goya and Paula Rego’s fantastical visions, Picasso’s evocative scenes, and Kathe Kollwitz’s intense testimonies to a time and place. The unique qualities that etching offers, makes it an ideal and compelling medium to work with.

The structure of this course will focus on various techniques, such as dry point, hard ground, soft ground, sugarlift and aquatint. There will be the opportunity to work in both monochrome and colour as well as using monotype and chine collé. Students will be aided and encouraged to consider, explore, and utilise a combination of these processes in the development of their individual work.

Who is it for

Beginners welcome. No experience of drawing required.

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.

Tutors

Tara Versey

Tutor, Drawing Year Alumni, 2010