RBSA

Tree of Life - Madhubani Folk Art Workshop
2026-08-27 11:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Gallery 1
Tree of Life – Madhubani Folk Art Workshop with Studio Kavachi by Swati Sinha.
Discover the charm and tradition of Madhubani art, one of India’s most celebrated folk-art forms, known for its intricate patterns, vibrant detail, and storytelling, through symbolism.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the traditional techniques of Madhubani painting, adapted for modern expression using fine pens and paper. Explore how simple lines, rhythmic patterns, and expressive motifs come together to create a striking visual narrative.
By the end of the session, participants will leave with a finished artwork and deeper appreciation for the elegance and storytelling behind Madhubani folk art.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Learn the history and cultural significance of Madhubani folk art
Practise traditional linework and decorative pattern making
Experiment with composition and balance using pen and ink
Create a unique Madhubani-inspired artwork to take home

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Introduction to Madhubani Art
Understanding the composition
Sketching the base drawing

Afternoon activity

Outlining the drawing
Creative repetitive patterns
Final detailing and finishing

What you need to bring with you:

An apron/overall

What we will provide:

All materials required will be provided
Pens
Pencils
Erasers
Paper

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor
Group discussion
Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.

Life Drawing Studio Workshop
2026-08-28 11:00 - 16:00
Life Drawing Studio Workshop with Paul Bartlett RBSA.
Spend the day drawing from a professional life model with guidance from an expert tutor.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Produce life drawings working from a model
Learn dry media life drawing techniques for line and tone

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Combined introduction and overview of options for the day via the tutor’s own work
Basics about measurement, proportion, etc, with examples of line
Set up a long pose that will be maintained (with breaks) for the rest of the day
Working from the same pose, students may produce several studies or one resolved work
At an appropriate time, the tutor will introduce tone methods on which paper using graphite pencil combinations
The tutor will balance out advising students individually, while working on his own drawing throughout the day

Afternoon activity

Introduction of option for drawing with black and white on mid-tone grey paper using combinations of pastel pencil, charcoal pencil, willow charcoal, chalks etc.
Depending on working pace, resolve long study started in the morning, or produce a new study with supervision from the tutor

What you need to bring with you:

A folder to take you work home
A selection of drawing materials including graphite pencils, willow charcoal, charcoal pencils, white chalk or similar, plastic and putty rubbers

What we will provide:

A2 sheets of white cartridge paper
Grey paper for pastels
A selection of drawing materials

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor
Group discussion
Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.

Character Heads in Clay Workshop
2026-08-29 11:00 - 16:00
Character Heads in Clay Workshop with Paul Brown RBSA.
Design and sculpt your own characterful face in clay. Using a variety of sculpting techniques, learn to create features and expressions with a range of tools and modelling methods.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Learn the basic sculpting methods to create a head and features in clay
Learn how to handle clay, creating a simple block shape onto which sculpt a head and face
Learn how to use a range of sculpting tools and techniques to create features, texture, and expression

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Introduction and examples
Create basic shapes in clay
Begin to build up simple features and expressions

Afternoon activity

Review progress
Refine features, look at embossing and texture
Discussion as to possibilities for hollowing and firing work

What you need to bring with you:

Reference images of friends, family, and any other inspirational images of faces
Plastic box, tray, or board for transportation of finished work
Plastic bags
Apron
Any pottery sculpting tools

What we will provide:

Wooden boards
Clay
Sculpting tools
Range of stamps for embossing/creating texture
Examples of tutor’s work for reference

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor
Group discussion
Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.
