Valentine's at the RA: From Model to Muse
Half-day Practical Workshop for Couples and Companions
Saturday 13 February 2016 12am - 11.59pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
£195 per couple, £100 per individual. Includes all materials, canapés and drinks reception.
Terms and conditions
Treat yourself or your loved one by spending a magical Valentine’s weekend with us at the Royal Academy. Guided by our expert art professionals, enjoy a specially designed, fun and informative drawing workshop; learn about the history of the Royal Academy and its Collection, and be inspired by stories of love and romance.
Artists are famously inspired by the passion of their relationships, often expressed directly, or indirectly, in their art. From Botticelli’s timeless Venus, Rodin’s sensual The Kiss or Banksy’s controversial Kissing Policemen, the energy and experiences of love have been famously harnessed by artists to produce some of the greatest masterpieces that transcend time and cultures.
In this half day workshop (10.00am–1.30pm or 2.00pm–5.30pm), be inspired by an art historical introduction to the way artists have responded to love in their work over the ages and across cultures, with a special selection of rarely seen images and behind the scenes stories of art and love from the Royal Academy’s own Collection. You will then work with a partner, or with a professional model in the historic setting of the Academy’s Life Room, which has inspired generations of artists.
About the course
The first part of this practical workshop will include a range of fun and stimulating drawing exercises designed to encourage quick observation, spontaneity and collaboration. Enabling you to respond intuitively to a succession of brief poses – each with their own specific instructions and goals. Then, the workshop will go on to longer poses with a greater sense of adventure and involvement.
Using different artistic mediums, including charcoal and pastels, you will build a set of works that are exciting in colour and approach. During the second part of the session, observational skills and exploring imaginative responses to the composition will be used to create artwork with a greater sense of poetry, narrative and drama. You will collaborate with a partner on a final drawing project and have a group of work to take home as a memory of Valentine's Day.
End your half day with a selection of Valentine's treats and a drinks reception.
This course is for you if:
• You are interested in the history of the Royal Academy and its artists
• You want to learn more about the art of Life Drawing in a small-group, friendly environment
• You already paint, draw or practice art and would like to develop your skills with our expert art professors
• You are a complete beginner but want to try something different and fun in a historic setting on Valentine's weekend
This course is suitable for all levels as bespoke guidance is provided to each participant.
The number of participants are strictly limited to 14 to enable detailed feedback.
£195 per couple
10.00am—1.30pm or 2.00pm - 5.30pm
Includes:
• An historical introduction to how artists have been inspired by models, muses and love with a special selection from the RA’s Collections and archives
• Course learning materials and hand-outs including specialist guidance on Life Drawing
• All practical art materials
The course is followed by a canapés and drinks reception.
About the space
The Life Room
Set in the Academy’s historic Life Room, nestled deep in the heart of the RA Schools, this unique and significant setting was designed in the 1860s when the galleries and Schools were first constructed, purpose built to accommodate the study of the human form in art.
The semi-circular seating arrangement is based on an ancient design and can trace its British history all the way back to the 1730s and Hogarth’s Academy in St Martin’s Lane. The lighting is also of ancient design and is used (then as now) to provide directional light to aid the delineation of the figure’s musculature – significantly enhancing the use and study of colour and light in art.
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.