RGA Fridays
RGA Friday workshops give members and non-members a chance to try out new skills or develop existing ones with a selection of different techniques and topics. It is also a chance to meet with other artists and friends and share ideas.
| Venue | Earley St Peter’s Church Hall Church Road Earley Reading RG6 1EY what3words: ///trip.likely.giant Workshops are held on the ground floor with full wheelchair accessibility. |
| Time | 7 pm – 9.30 pm |
| Cost per session | RGA Members – £8, Non-RGA members – £12. Booking is essential. An additional charge may be made if any specialised materials are needed or a model is involved, payable in cash to the tutor on the day. |
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the RGA Friday workshops. If you have suggestions or ideas for future RGA Friday workshops please let us know.
Upcoming
Beyond Fineliners – Exploring Inks and Pens in Line and Wash
Tutor: Liz Chaderton
24th January 2025
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Cost Per Person: RGA Members - £8
Non-RGA members - £12
Many of us use line and wash for sketching and studio work. It is simple to reach for a fineliner but with so many more pens and markers available, perhaps you are missing out on an opportunity for something more exciting. With thousands of ink to choose from in combination with thousands of pens, the possibilities are endless. But what should you look for and how do you choose?
In this experimentation session Liz will bring lots of different inks and pens for you to play with. She will start with a simple explanation of what to look for and what to consider when making your choice and then you can experiment and play with the supplies. Liz will supply drawing paper for you to experiment on. If you want to do very wet washes, please bring your own watercolour paper.
These may include:
- Fineliners
- Gel pens
- Ballpoint pens
- Fountain pens
- Calligraphy pens
- Fude nibs
- Cola pens
- Glass dip pens
- Mapping pens
- Traditional dip pen
- Reed pens
- Acrylic markers
- Brush pens
- Plus drawing inks, acrylic inks, waterproof inks, and indian inks
Please bring water pots, brushes and paper towels. If you wish to add watercolour to your work, please bring watercolour supplies. Ink stains – bring an apron! If you have an unusual ink or pen you love to use, please bring it along to show and tell on the evening too!
There will be an additional cost of £5.00 to be paid to the tutor on the day (cash please) to cover materials.
Sketching Buildings with Pen and Wash
Tutor: Jonathan Newey
28th February 2025
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Cost Per Person: RGA Members - £8
Non-RGA members - £12
“Sketching Buildings with Pen and Watercolour Wash” is a hands-on workshop designed for art enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Participants will explore the art of architectural sketching, learning to capture the essence of buildings using pen for precise lines and watercolour washes for adding depth and atmosphere. The workshop covers essential techniques, such as perspective, shading, and blending colours, while encouraging creativity and personal expression.
Guided by an experienced instructor, attendees will gain confidence in sketching urban landscapes and architectural details, producing vibrant, lively sketches that beautifully combine the precision of pen with the fluidity of watercolour.
Reference photos will be supplied.
What to bring:
- 1 x A4 or ¼ imperial pad (or a few sheets) of ‘Not’ surface watercolour paper 140lb/300gsm (‘Not’ refers to the surface texture of the paper and is also known as CP (cold pressed) or Bockingford).
- 1 x size 8 or 10 round watercolour brush.
- 1 x size 2 or 4 round watercolour brush.
- Watercolour paint, either tubes or pans. The following are recommended as a basic selection of colours: Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue (optional), Cadmium Yellow Pale or Aureolin, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna or Yellow Ochre.
- 1 x black waterproof sketching pen. Size 02, 03, 04 or 05. One of the following makes is recommended: Edding Profipen, Sakura Pigma Micron, Faber Castel Pitt Pen, Uni Pin.
- Tissues
- 2B pencil
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Water container
Pottery Taster – Make a Bowl
Tutor: Shirley Smith
28th March 2025
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Cost Per Person: RGA Members - £8
Non-RGA members - £12
The aim of the workshop is to form a small bowl using basic hand-building techniques. Coloured slip will be provided for decoration. Participants may wish to bring a small stencil or stamp to aid decoration. I will take the bowls away at the end of the session to fire and glaze. They will be available for collection at the April RGA Fridays workshop or other arrangements can be made. If you work quickly, you may even make two!
What to bring:
- An apron or wear old clothing.
- Newspaper or plastic to cover the table.
- Scissors to cut out a paper.
- Template for the bowl.
- An old knife to cut through clay.
- A small stencil or stamp to decorate the bowl.
- A small selection of paintbrushes to decorate the bowl with slip (coloured wet clay which washes out easily).
- An old toothbrush.
- A couple of yogurt pots, or similar, to hold clay slip.
- Hand sanitiser (optional).
Rolling pins, plastic knives, old toothbrushes, wooden stamps, a selection of coloured slips, and clay will be provided by the tutor. There will be an additional cost of £5.00 to be paid to the tutor on the day (cash please) to cover the cost of clay and two kiln firings.
Basic safety: no eating or drinking during the workshop without first washing your hands and taking a break.
Portrait Drawing from Life
Tutor: Mick McNicolas
25th April 2025
7:00 am - 9:30 pm
Cost Per Person: RGA Members - £8
Non-RGA members - £12
In this workshop Mick McNicholas will introduce a number of techniques to approach drawing a portrait from life. These will include a measured approach, and a mass-drawing approach. So, whether you are more methodical, or regard yourself as expressive, there will be something for you to enhance your portrait drawing skills.
What to bring:
- Pencils: Graphite and Charcoal
- Putty rubber/eraser
- Fixative (cheap hairspray)
- Cartridge paper – A3 size
- Newspaper/table covering
Paper will be available to buy if needed!
Past
