RGA Fridays

Several short poses with dynamic dance movements by the Spanish dance model accompanied by flamenco music, followed by longer poses by the model seated at a tapas bar.

Looking to use flat brushes and paint to get a quick impression of the movement and proportions, with over-drawing using charcoal or chinagraph pencils.

Paper, chinagraph, and charcoal pencils will be available.

Please bring a table covering, water pots, flat brushes (various sizes), acrylic or gouache paints, a palette, and A3 heavyweight cartridge or watercolour paper.

Gel plate printing is a process for making unique monoprints pulled from a gelatine-like base plate. It is a very fast and easy process and is extremely addictive!

During the workshop we will make a series of prints on white paper and on black paper using the gel plate and will use these for two collage projects: black line collage, and the 5 by 5 collage challenge. 

There will be additional cost of £3 payable to the tutor on the day (cash please) to cover other materials used on the workshop. This includes black paper and card, thick paper for collage substrates, deli paper, wet strength tissue paper, decorative scrapbook and decoupage papers, washi tape, magazines for collage images, use of stencils and mark making tools.

Come and lino cut a festive or celebratory stamp and then print to produce a bespoke set of cards, gift wrap, and tags.

All tools, ink, lino (and mince pies) will be provided.

Please bring some simple festive images to use as inspiration, scissors, pencils, and sketching paper. Please also bring an apron or wear old clothes as lino ink can be messy!

There will be an additional cost of £3.00 payable to the tutor on the day (cash please) to cover 6 blank cards, 6 blank gift tags, and two sheets of tissue paper to print upon.

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?

• 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

“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.

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!

• 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).

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!