Experience a drawing class like no other.
This is the first Young Artists-focused Digital Studio session, giving students aged 10–18 the chance to explore the energy and drama of the life room from home. Broadcast live from the Royal Drawing School studios, this online drawing session connects young artists from across the globe to draw from models, theatrical sets, and more.
In this two-hour, online Halloween themed drawing workshop, students will dive into the mysterious and meaningful world of the skull in art. From the haunting still life's of Cézanne to the symbolic self-portraits of Frida Kahlo, we’ll explore how artists across history have used skulls to express powerful ideas, from life and death to identity and imagination.
Led by artist and tutor Elizabeth McCarten, the session begins with fun and focused drawing exercises, helping students improve their observation skills by studying the skull’s structure, a key building block for life drawing and portraits.
In the second half, students will be challenged to go further: drawing from a live model in costume within an elaborate set. Each student will create their own skull-inspired artwork filled with story, symbolism, and spooky flair. Expect a mix of the eerie and the expressive, and leave with a haunting masterpiece to display just in time for Halloween!
Suggested Materials:
- Black or coloured paper (7–10 sheets, various sizes A5–A2 or whatever you have)
- White chalk or pastels
- A range of pencils/graphite sticks
- Coloured pencils or pastels
- Eraser
Class Objectives
- Explore cultural symbolism of how skulls and death are represented in fine art across eras (including Dia de los Muertos)
- Improve observational and imaginative drawing skills.
- Learn basic proportions of the skull
- Create a personal response drawing from the life model inspired by story and symbolism
Details
- For ages 10–18
- All students will need a device that supports the latest version of Zoom
- Chat support available during the session
- Share your work on social media with #RDSLiveStudio
Featured Image by Glenn Sujo
