The Drawing Year
One year postgraduate-level course | No fees | Free studio space Application deadline: 3 April 2024
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Overview
The Drawing Year is a full scholarship postgraduate-level course offering up to thirty students the opportunity to focus on drawing from observation for one year. There are no tuition fees for The Drawing Year – all students are awarded a full scholarship and receive a free studio space.
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Structure
Courses at the Royal Drawing School are divided into three main areas: Drawing in the Studio, Drawing from Art and Drawing London. The programme is full time and made up of three taught ten-week terms, and a final self-directed studio term culminating in an end of year show and open studios. As well as taught classes every week, students attend a Wednesday Core Programme day, evening forums and lectures, alongside personal studio practice days.
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Facilities
Our Shoreditch campus is located in a converted warehouse at the heart of East London’s art, design and fashion district. There are two spacious, well-lit drawing studios on the top floor, a fully-equipped intaglio print studio, a reference art library, and a ground floor multipurpose studios and large exhibitions space. Individual studios for Drawing Year students are situated at Space Studios in Hackney, a short journey from the Royal Drawing School.
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Applications
Applicants for The Drawing Year will usually have completed a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art or a related subject, but this is not essential. Places are awarded based on portfolio and interview. Applicants are expected to show a strong portfolio of work demonstrating a commitment to drawing and a level of artistic professionalism appropriate for study at postgraduate level. Applications for The Drawing Year 2024-25 are now open.
Faculty
Christopher Green
"The simplicity of the Drawing Year was very appealing. You spend a year drawing. It felt like just the opportunity I needed to concentrate on the creative activity I most enjoyed."
"Using the most limited of means, drawing offers some of the most demanding opportunities for growth to a contemporary artist, both visually and intellectually, allowing a free transition between mediums."
From the blog
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Dec. 6, 2023Louis Pohl Koseda Announced as the Winner of the new Christie's Award
To coincide with The Drawing Year 2023 End of Year Exhibition, Louis Pohl Koseda, a graduating student of the course has been announced as the winner of the first …
Oct. 31, 2023Artist Residencies Open for Applications!
Residencies are a vital and sustaining source of inspiration, productivity and concentration for many artists. The Royal Drawing School is dedicated to providing these opportunities for graduates of The …
March 27, 2023Drawing in Antigua: Artist Residency 2023
Drawing Year alumnus and UAL lecturer Al Page and Royal Drawing School tutor Cherry Pickles spent six weeks in Antigua in early 2023. Supported by the Halo Foundation and …
March 27, 2023The RISD Drawing Marathon 2023
Every year, two Drawing Year alumni are awarded a place on the intensive four-week Drawing Marathon at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence. Due to the pandemic, …