Fact sheet, Summer School 2026 Painting in the Park
When
Monday 13 July – 17 July 2026. 10am to 5pm.
Where
Various locations, see below.
Who
About
A one-week outdoor painting course in London's parks, exploring technique, confidence, and inspiration through direct observation and the work of great landscape painters.
This one week painting course will explore the practice of drawing and painting in London’s green spaces. Painting outdoors presents many problems; the aim of this course is to equip students with the confidence and practical knowledge to go out and work in any environment that inspires them. We will consider the work of painters such as Seurat, Corot, Constable, Leon Kossoff, Frank Auerbach, Ivon Hitchens and Adrian Berg whose work can be seen in various London museums.
Students will work outside in one of the many parks in London such as Paddington Street Gardens, Regent’s Park or Hyde Park, and will be encouraged to respond to these places by making direct paintings on the spot. No experience is necessary, and students are not limited to a particular medium. Dealing with unpredictable weather is one of the challenges of painting outside, the students should be prepared rain or shine!
Location & timetable
Occasionally locations/meeting points may need to change so please check your emails the night before classes are due to take place and bring your mobile phone with you on the day so that the administrator can contact you if need be.
It is also very important that you arrive punctually (in time for the class to begin at 10am) for each class as the class will usually move away from the meeting point quite quickly at the beginning of the day.
Monday 13 July
Tuesday 14 July
Nearest tube: Lancaster gate.
Wednesday 15 July
Nearest tube: Charing Cross
Thursday 16 July
Friday 17 July
Nearest tube: Lancaster gate.
Materials
This course will take place at various locations around London, so it is worth considering what materials you bring with you. A backpack for materials and a travel easel are recommended. It pays to travel light and to have hands free. Please also consider how you will transport wet paintings if working in oils.
All this should fit in a medium sized rucksack.
Paints
Tutor demonstrations will use oil paint; however, the principles will also apply to acrylics and students may choose to use acrylic, or other paints if they wish.
Recommended Paints
- Titanium White
- Alizarin Crimson/ Magenta
- Cadmium Red
- Burnt Sienna
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Yellow
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cerulean Blue
- Viridian / Phthalo Green
- Black
Surfaces
Students will be making several paintings over the course of the week. Students are welcome to use their preferred painting supports, which may include
- Canvas Boards/ Primes painting panels
- Pre-primed canvases
- A3 oil-painting paper (can be bought in a pad or block)
When working outdoors portability is important, and students may wish to work in smaller, more manageable panes. We would recommend keeping under A3 in size. Please bear in mind that transporting wet paintings can be tricky (particularly if you work in oil).
General Painting Equipment
- Lightweight travel easel or pochade box
- Palette
- 2 Jam jars with lids
- Solvent for thinning paint and cleaning brushes (Zest it, Sansodor, or other low odour brands recommended).
- Turpentine (optional)
- Rags for cleaning brushes
- 5-7 Hog hair or synthetic brushes (long handled), varied sizes
- A handful of flat or square brushes for painting larger areas
- Apron
- Palette knife
- Backpack or bag to hold all materials (and keep the hands free)
Drawing Materials
- A4 or A5 Sketchbook
- Pencils
- Rubber
What to expect
There will be a one-hour lunch break generally between 1-2pm each day and 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.