Fact sheet, Autumn Term 2026 Drawing at the V&A
About
The V&A Museum is a wonderful means of crossing continents to access 5,000 years of richly diverse art.
Traveling through time, from room to room, each week a new bit of the world we will explore, through drawing, differing artistic approaches and cultural sensibilities from countries including India, China, and Japan as well as Europe. Students will investigate how ideas about space, depiction and ‘making’ in turn echo and contradict each other from East to West.
Observing fluidity and rhythm of line and sculptural and pictorial concepts in the art works, stylistic shifts will be discussed. We will also consider the unique architectural spaces and displays of the museum. There will be a short introductory talk at the start of each day, then some warm-up exercises, followed by more observational drawing with one-to-one tuition, using a variety of materials.
When
Wednesdays. 29 April to 1 July. 10am to 5pm.
Who
Nicola Durvasula, Claudia Carr & Joanna Mulji
Where & how to find us
The V&A Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2R.
Where to meet: Meet outside the main entrance on Cromwell Road (under the arch/dome).
When: 10am
Please note: When the doors open at 10am, tutors will wait 5 mins inside (near the main circular information desk) and then go to the allotted room (see below).
Week 1 — 16 September
Buddhist Art
Level 0, Rooms 47A + 47F ‘The Robert H.N.Ho Family Foundation’ + (Meeting in Room 47F)
Week 2 — 23 September
Donatello and the Italian Renaissance
Rooms 62 - 64b.
Week 3 — 30 September
Japanese Art
Level 0, Room 45 (The Toshiba Gallery) + Architecture Level 3 Room 128 (Meeting in Room 45)
Week 4 — 7 October
Morning - Constable and other paintings and drawings (rooms 87 & 88)
Afternoon - Cast Courts (rooms 46 a and b, ground floor)
Week 5 — 14 October
European Prints and Drawings + Japanese Prints
Level 3 Prints and Drawings Study Room. (Access from Learning Centre on Level 0)
Week 6 — 21 October
Rooms 87, 88
Week 7 — 28 October
Japanese Art
Level 0, Room 45 (The Toshiba Gallery) + Architecture Level 3 Room 128 (Meeting in Room 45)
Week 8 — 4 November
China
Rooms 44 and 47e, ground floor.
Week 9 — 11 November
Room 48A
Week 10 — 18 November
Room 21 *Please bring a large sketchbook to this session if possible
Materials
Charcoal, watercolour, chalk and pastels are not allowed at the Museum. This limits your choice of materials to charcoal pencils, aquarelle crayons or pencils, all manner of pens, biro, felt tips and graphite. You will require an A4 drawing pad. It is also helpful to have some loose sheets at A3 size.
We also strongly recommend that you bring a stool. There are some stools available at the museum entrance on a first come first served basis. You can also buy collapsible ones in art shops, fish tackle shops or online for around £10. Please do not bring large bags along to the V&A
What to expect
Lunch and breaks: please note that there will be a one hour lunch break, generally between 1pm - 2pm as well as regular breaks throughout the day.
Contact
If you are unable to attend a class or know that you will be delayed, please email admin@royaldrawingschool.org or call 020 7613 8568 (option 1) in as far advance as possible.