Fact sheet, Summer Term 2026 Monday Etching
About
This course is an opportunity for students to extend their drawing practice into the fascinating realms of printmaking. Tutors will introduce and build upon intaglio techniques with an emphasis on etching – hard and soft ground, aquatint, sugarlift, and white ground.
Students will be invited to experiment with techniques such as drypoint, mezzotint, collagraph, carborundum prints, multiplate colour printing, and chine collé. In doing so, students will investigate ancient techniques as a medium for expressing new ideas. Teaching will be tailored to individual students as a mechanism for growing each students visual vocabulary.
Please note: Our Print Room has limited access. Etching involves using hazardous chemicals. Unfortunately, this means the print room environment is not suitable for everyone. Etching classes are unsuitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those sensitive to chemicals, or with breathing difficulties.
When
Mondays, KEY DATES
Who
Where & how to find us
Studio 12.
The Royal Drawing School, 19-22 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, 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.
Students are required to bring their own materials will them.
Required materials
- Nylon sable-type brush, between sizes 0–6
- Basic drawing materials including image ideas and workbooks to work from
- Aprons are available in the print room however it is advised you wear old clothes to class
- If you own etching tools, please mark them with tape or coloured paint and bring them along
Optional materials
- Dry point needle or etching needle
- Burnisher
- Manifying glass
- Scraper
Plates and paper can be bought in the Print Room from the School. Material fees are processed by card in the Print Room. Please note, we no longer accept cash.
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.
- Sharp blades such as Stanley knives, Swiss pocket knives, and other carving tools are not permitted in studios.
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.
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.