Fact sheet, Summer School 2026 Life Painting: Figure Colour, Space
About
This life painting course will offer the varied opportunity to work from different models and poses throughout the week with the highlighted focus on the figure related to colour and space.
For the first two days, students will experiment using different colour palettes, painting from single day poses of the model interacting within theatrical settings of colour with the composition a prime concern. This concept will then continue and essentially develop through a sustained pose for the final three days. Aspects of colour theory to include temperature value in relationship to the practical use and choice of pigments, and more will be explored throughout the week. One-to-one tuition and all levels of painting experience welcome.
When
Monday 6 - Friday 10 July. 10am to 5pm.
Who
Where & how to find us
Studio 11.
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.
Materials
Charcoal, easels and drawing boards will be provided in the studio.
Paper
There will be newsprint and cartridge paper in the studios. You are welcome to bring alternative types of paper along with you.
Paper Fees: We charge a paper fee for the use of our paper stock within the studios, this can be paid by card at £2.50 per day. We are no longer taking payments for single sheets, on a pay-as-you-go system.
Paper Stations will be set up around the studios to make accessibility easier.
You are welcome to bring your own additional materials for personal use only, in the studio. Our suggestions include:
Drawing Materials
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Drawing Pencils: H, HB, B, 2B, 4B,8B.
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Conté Crayons,
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Pastels,
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Ink Pens,
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Coloured Pencils,
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Putty and Hard Erasers,
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Pencil Sharpener,
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Sketchbook
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Black Ink
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Brush for ink
Painting
You will need to bring with you your own materials; here is the suggested materials list:
Oil Paint or Acrylic Paint
Basic Palette:
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Titanium White
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Cadmium Lemon
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Cadmium Yellow Deep
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Cadmium Red
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Alizarin Crimson
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French Ultramarine
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Cobalt or Cerulean Blue
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Phthalo Blue
Limited Palette: (i.e. the suggested most limited range of pigments)
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Titanium White
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Lamp Black or Ivory Black
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Yellow Ochre
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Phthalo Blue and/or Venetian Red
Brushes and palettes
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Pure Sable Brushes (long-handled for oil painting)
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Hog hair: Round & Filbert brushes
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Palette and Palette Knives
Canvas/Boards
Prepared and stretched canvas’ or boards (Ready to paint with), maximum size in either height x width dimensions is 36" inches (90cm). Alternatively Oil Painting/Primed paper.
Solvents
There is an added Co-Co Bello Solvent fee for painting courses which includes a 200ml pot of solvent to use during the course. Please note that no other solvents will be allowed in the studios, to protect not only those with allergies but all who paint within our studios.
Co-Co Bello is a plant-based, natural & odourless oil painting solvent. It is a replacement for traditional solvents and thinners such as turpentine, white spirit & alcohol. Co-Co Bello is non-hazardous, non-flammable.
No white spirit or turps substitute or genuine turps or linseed/flaxseed oil.
Other Materials
At least 3 empty glass/jam jars (with lids) – used for your solvent to enable to keep one jar clean for possible thinning of oil paint mixtures, one for cleaning your brushes, and thirdly one to enable recycling of any dirty solvent and allow the paint to settle at the bottom in order to siphon off into a clean jar for reuse.
Plastic Pipette (used for solvent to thin paint mixtures)
Plenty of rags and kitchen towel/roll
Additional Useful Materials
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Rubber Gloves
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Apron
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Portfolio case for work
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, in addition to regular breaks throughout the day. Students are encouraged to take a break outside of the studio for the lunch where 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.