Fact sheet, Autumn Term 2026 Drawing from Museum Collections
When
Fridays. 18 September to 20 November. 10am to 5pm.
Where
Various locations, see below.
Who
Marcus Cornish, Michelle Cioccoloni & Chris Green.
About
Students will take a broad look at artworks and cultural artefacts housed within a range of museums across London, with a focus on the British Museum collection.
To progress with the art we make today, it is necessary to acknowledge our past; by drawing from objects from different periods of human history we can make contact with the past as a living element. This enriches our minds and understanding of the world we inhabit.
The origins of modern painting, sculpture and decorative art can be discovered at the British Museum, enriched by a plethora of non-Western cultures. Using the British Museum as our initial source for themes in art history and culture, students will, through drawing, evolve their understanding by connecting these lines of thought within London’s other galleries and museums. These will include the Horniman Museum, The Wallace Collection, the Barbican and the National Gallery, where students will explore subjects that bridge the ancient world to the present day.
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.
Week 1 — 18 September
The British Museum.
When: 9:50am, ready to enter the museum at 10am. Please note, if you are late, you will need to join the public entrance queue.
Meet at: Outside the British Museum, Montague Place group bookings entrance (rear of the building).
Nearest station: Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn.
Week 2 — 25 September
Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington.
When: 9.50am.
Meet at: V&A South Kensington, Exhibition Road entrance. Please note, this is the new side entrance, opposite the Science Museum. SW7 2RL
Nearest station: South Kensington Tube.
Week 3 — 2 October
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Nearest station:
Week 4 — 9 October
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Week 5 — 16 October
TBC
Week 6 — 23 October
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Week 7 — 30 October
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Week 8 — 6 November
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Week 9 — 13 November
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Week 10 — 20 November
TBC
When:
Meet at:
Materials
Charcoal, watercolour, chalk and pastels are not allowed at the Museum. This limits your choice of materials to charcoal pencils, aquarelle crayons or pencils, all manner of pens, biro, felt tips and graphite. You will require an A4 drawing pad.
We also strongly recommend that you bring a stool. There are some stools available at the museum entrance on a first come first served basis. You can also buy collapsible ones in art shops, fish tackle shops or online for around £10.
Please do not bring large bags along to the V&A or British Museum.
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.