Fraser Scarfe Documents the Royal Trip with an iPad
Fraser Scarfe, Head of Education Delivery at the Royal Drawing School, recently returned from Italy where he accompanied Their Majesties The King and Queen as the official tour artist. His appointment marked a historic first: the royal state visit was the first to be captured digitally, using an iPad.
Over four days in Rome and Ravenna, Fraser produced more than 15 digital works, along with sketchbook drawings and painted studies, using the Procreate app on an iPad Mini. One of these works will enter the Royal Collection.
Colosseum by Fraser Scarfe
“It’s a huge privilege,” said Fraser. “The King encourages me to work in whatever way I see fit and to capture whatever strikes me artistically. There are no constraints. I was able to capture not only the important relationship between our country and Italy, and some of the key events of the tour, but also the really lovely moments between the people who came out to see Their Majesties – and the fantastic cultural and historical links between our great countries.”
The Royal Drawing School has a long-standing connection to this tradition. Founded by His Majesty The King in 2000, the School champions drawing as a vital skill for contemporary artists. Fraser trained at the School in 2012 on The Drawing Year, a full scholarship postgraduate programme, and now leads its education programme.
Forum by Fraser Scarfe
His appointment continues a tradition dating back to 1985, when artists were first invited to accompany royal overseas engagements. These commissions offer an interpretive, human perspective on moments of cultural diplomacy – distinct from the record created by photography or press coverage. Fraser is the 42nd artist to take on the role and the first to work digitally.
Fraser previously recorded the Coronation in 2023 and, as with this latest project, received no formal brief. His approach was instinctive and observational, responding to the mood of each day and the places visited.
A practising artist himself, The King has taken a personal interest in Fraser’s digital process. His Majesty recently visited David Hockney, a pioneer of iPad painting, and has shown ongoing curiosity about how technology can open new creative pathways for artists.
Basilica San Vitale by Fraser Scarfe
Fraser’s work continues the tradition of royal art patronage in a distinctly contemporary form. It also reflects the Royal Drawing School’s commitment to drawing in all its evolving expressions – across tools, time, and generations.
Fraser teaches on ‘Digital Drawing: Life Observed’ course focusing on iPad drawing starting on 1st May.
