Drawing with texture, tone and touch
Weekend-long practical course
8 June 2019 10.30am - 5.30pm9 June 2019 10.30am - 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Terms and conditions
Using both traditional and contemporary drawing techniques, this practical weekend course develops skills and confidence in drawing through careful observation and rendering.
Set in the Royal Academy’s historic Life Room, this course focuses on techniques to illustrate texture and the play of light and tone when drawing. Participants will use both graphite and carbon pencils to produce life-like figurative drawings through careful observation and an introduction to pencil-specific drawing techniques.
The pencil as we know was invented in Cumbria, England in the 16th century. Today 14 billion pencils are produced each year. For many of us, the pencil was our first art material used to create our very first markings.
Drawing has wide applications as described by Professor Stephen Farthing RA in his six classifications of drawing – diagrammatic, mapping, tracing, technical, scoring and sketching. It is core to many art practices. Pencil drawings are often the 'workings out' or trials. However, although pencil drawings are commonly used for preliminary studies, they have the potential to be finished works in their own right and can result in extraordinary works of art.
On this course, the source material consists of familiar small objects and black-and-white photographs, which are ideal for prolonged attention, observation and transcribing details accurately. A range of specially designed exercises, discussions as well as demonstrations, trials and critical reviews reveal the vast array of marks and tones which are achievable with graphite. The immediacy of working with pencil, as well as techniques for taking a drawing beyond a sketch and into a finished artwork, will be explored in detail.
Taking inspiration from a range of artists including those closely associated with the RA and the RA Collection – such as Frederic Leighton, Emma Stibbon, David Hockney, Elizabeth Blackadder, Tracey Emin and Vija Celmins as well as form the tutor’s own drawings, participants will gain further insight into artists’ ideas, methods and approaches to representational drawings.
The rendering of a multi-dimensional event as a two-dimensional trace.
Professor Stephen Farthing RA
About the course
In this exciting two-day course participants will learn to create life-like pencil drawings that evoke the sense of touch in the viewer.
The workshop is inspired by artist and tutor Tanya Wood’s own meticulous drawing practice. Participants will leave the course with some great drawings as well as improved knowledge, skill and understanding.
Participants are advised to bring something to carry their work home in, as there are no storage facilities available.
This course is suitable for all levels.
This course is for you if:
• You have no prior experience of life drawing but have an interest in the practice of art more generally
• You have some prior knowledge of drawing and would like to extend your skills in working from direct observation
• You would like to develop your skills when using pencil
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to drawing
• You would like to develop your skills and ideas within a small group in the Royal Academy's historic Life Room
Minimum age 18
The number of participants is strictly limited to enable detailed feedback from the course tutor.
£420
Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 June 2019
10.30am-5.30pm on both days
• Exclusive access to the RA Schools' historic Life Room
• All specialist practical art materials
• Course learning materials and hand-outs
• Refreshments provided on both days
• A drinks reception at the end of the first day
• A certificate of participation upon course completion
About the tutor
Tanya Wood
Tanya Wood was born and brought up in Portsmouth and currently lives in Waterlooville. She received a Distinction for her MA Fine Art studies at the University of Chichester in September 2014 following a First Class BA (Hons) Degree at the same university in 2012. Tanya enjoys teaching alongside her art practice and has delivered drawing courses at The Royal Academy of Art and West Dean College. Her work has been selected for the John Ruskin Prize 2015, Perfectionism at the Griffin Gallery, London 2014, Jerwood Drawing Prize 2012 and the National Open Art Competition 2012. Tanya is passionate about drawing, chosen by her for its humbleness and its extraordinary ability to communicate to many. Having specialised in textiles for some twenty years as a practising artist and lecturer, mature study shifted her focus to drawing as an end product.
About the space
The Life Room
The Royal Academy’s historic Life Room sits at the heart of the RA Schools. Usually closed to the public, this unique and significant space was designed in the 1860s, when the galleries and art school first moved to Burlington Gardens.
The semi-circular seating arrangement, based on an ancient design, traces its British history back to Hogarth’s Academy in St Martin’s Lane, c.1730. Directional light is used to enhance the delineation of the model’s musculature and aid life drawing, which has been practised in this room by generations of Royal Academy artists and students.
Our courses and classes programme
Our programme of short courses and classes offers the opportunity to explore a range of subjects, led by expert tutors and practising artists.
Give this course as a gift
All of our courses can be purchased as a gift for a friend or family member – giving the gift of education and a remarkable experience. To arrange a personalised Gift Voucher, please contact Anna Pojer, Academic Programmes Manager, by calling 020 7300 5684 or email anna.pojer@royalacademy.org.uk