Fact sheet, Winter Holiday 2026 The Drawing Week
About
An intensive week structured around different drawing experiences every day, this course is for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the collective energy of an intensive drawing course and significantly improve their drawing skills. Students will be able to experience a variety of drawing sessions including drawing from models, focusing on anatomy, imagination, collage and world imagery. Discussion of the various reasons for making life drawings will be encouraged, individual guidance will be given throughout, and the week will culminate in a critique of students’ work.
Suitable for all levels including beginners, this course is specially designed for those students interested in improving their drawing skills in an immersive environment and useful for building a portfolio. The variety of starting points will challenge and keep students on their toes, awake and alert, to all the possibilities of drawing.
When
Monday 23 - Friday 27 November. 10am to 5pm.
Who
Where & how to find us
Studio 11.
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.
Week's Schedule
Monday - Life Drawing and Anatomy with Marcus Cornish
Tuesday - Contemporary Portrait with Sharon Brindle
Wednesday - Transforming Observation with Danny Markey
Thursday - Experimental Printmaking in the Life Room with Rossen
Friday - Life Drawing and Group Crit with Dilip Sur
Students are required to bring their own materials with them.
Materials
Charcoal, easels and drawing boards will be provided in the studio.
There will be newsprint and cartridge paper in the studios. You are welcome to bring alternative types of paper along with you.
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
- Watercolours or ink. If using these materials, please bring your own water pots and brushes.
- Bull-dog clips to attach paper to the drawing board.
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.
- Sharp blades such as Stanley knives, Swiss pocket knives, and other carving tools are not permitted in studios.
- There is step free access up to the 4th floor studios.
- 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.
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.