Fact sheet, Summer Term 2026 Life Drawing: Observation & Imagination
About
This course will open students up to the possibilities of drawing from observation and imagination. Students can expect to draw from a number of observational sources, alongside learning how to source imagery without looking, but from their interior selves, building a solid group of drawings to provide a personal image bank.
Each week, students will focus on aspects of composition, narrative, colour, emotion, editing, and mark-making, investigating how formal concerns contribute to the imaginative strength of an image.
The final achievement of the course will be a complete or multiple works, drawn from the realm of the imagination.
Please note, this course has an emphasis on the use of imagination and memory which can at times elicit difficult feelings for some.
When
Wednesdays. 3 June to 1 July. 10am to 5pm.
Who
Elizabeth McCarten & Sophie Charalambous.
Where & how to find us
Studio 2.
Royal Drawing School Shoreditch, 19 -22 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG
Charlotte Road is a narrow street with three/four storey Victorian warehouses on each size. The School is marked on the outside of the building along with our sister charities.
Tube
The nearest underground station is Old Street (Northern Line City Branch). The School is a five-minute walk away. The School is a ten-minute walk or a five-minute taxi or bus ride from Liverpool Street (Central, District, Circle, Metropolitan, Elizabeth and Hammersmith and City lines).
Train
The nearest mainline station is Liverpool Street. Kings Cross and Euston are 2 and 3 stops away on Northern line. There are also overland trains to Old Street and Moorgate, both within walking distance.
Bus
26, 35, 48, 149 and 242 run along Shoreditch High Street. Buses 43, 76, 141, 214 and 271 run along City Road south of Old Street. Buses 55 and 243 run along Old Street.
Bicycle
There are no places for bicycle parking immediately outside the building. There are racks further up Charlotte Rd, on Old Street, the top of Curtain Road and people also use Hoxton Square. It is advisable not to leave anything easily detachable or overnight. There are Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations on Shoreditch High Street at the corner of Rivington Street.
Car or Taxi
Car parking is extremely limited, so we recommend using public transport where possible. There are a small number of Blue Badge parking spaces available on Shoreditch High Street. After 5.30pm and on Saturdays street parking is free off Shoreditch High Street near Arnold Circus. Please note, Charlotte Road and Rivington Street are in the Ultra Low Emission Zone, meaning petrol, diesel or older hybrid vehicles which aren’t registered for an exemption aren’t permitted to enter the streets during the operating times (Monday to Friday, 7-10am and 4-7pm).
It is easy to flag a taxi at either end of Charlotte Road throughout the day and in the evening.
Charcoal, easels and drawing boards will be provided in the studio.
Students are welcome to bring their own materials for personal use and are encouraged to bring a range of their preferred coloured and monochrome drawing materials, wet or dry. Our suggestions are listed below.
Optional materials
- Drawing pencils: H, HB, 2B, and 4B
- Conté crayons
- Pastels
- Ink pens
- Coloured pencils
- Putty and hard erasers
- Pencil sharpener
- Sketchbook
- Ink or watercolours. If you wish to use these, please bring your own water pots and brushes.
- Bull-dog clips to attach paper to the drawing board.
- Charcoal. Free charcoal will be provided.
- Paper. Students are welcome to bring their own paper or pay a one-off paper fee for use of the studios paper stock.
The School charges a one-off paper fee for use of the studios paper stock. Newsprint, Snowdon cartridge, and some watercolour paper will be available for purchase. Paper stations will be set up in the studio.
Please note, sharp blades such as Stanley knives, Swiss pocket knives, and other carving tools are not permitted in the studios.
Studio etiquette & facilities
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Please arrive promptly for every session. If you arrive late you may need to wait for a break until you are able to enter the studio. You will be able to arrive up to 15 minutes before the start of the session.
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To access the studios, please sign-in at reception by scanning the QR code sent to you before the course. Please remember to sign-out using the same QR code when leaving the premises.
- A health and safety talk is given at the start of each course.
- Studios have a strict no phone and no photography policy within our studios.
- There is step free access.
What to expect
Students will have a one-hour lunch break each day. Students are encouraged to take a break outside of the studio. There are many cafes, restaurants, and shops in the nearby area. Remember to scan your QR code at reception whilst signing out.
Hot and cold water stations will be available. Please bring your own reusable cups or water bottles, as disposable cups will not be available.
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.