Explore Ironwork and ceramics through the ages: Third 1-day workshop with Neil Pittaway: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Explore the ironwork and ceramic galleries, highlights include ironworks from different periods and styles, spanning from Medieval to Art Nouveau...
The third of these one-day intensive workshops offers an opportunity to discover and explore the museum's ironwork and ceramic galleries. With expert guidance, you will learn how to observe and draw various ceramic and ironwork objects. Highlights include techniques for observing and drawing patterns, shapes, and spaces in ironworks from different periods and styles, spanning from Medieval to Art Nouveau. The workshop will culminate in drawing ceramics from a range of historical periods and styles.
Please scroll down for further info about this series of 1-day workshops with Neil Pittway at the V&A.
WHAT TO BRING
- Soft pencils 2B – 6B and or graphite sticks
- Graphite pencils
- Portable sketchbook and or board with a number of plain pieces of drawing paper (Sizes for this A4 to A2 depending on what you are comfortable with carrying)
- Rubbers/ erasers
- Pencil sharpener that can contain pencil shaving
- Masking tape or bulldog clips
- Portable stool / chair (Optional)
- Camera / camera phone (Optional)
Unfortunately, dusty or wet materials, such as charcoal, pastels or watercolours are not allowed.
Folding stools are available in the museum.
DATE AND TIME
Saturday 15 November 2025
10:30 – 16:30
LOCATION
Cromwell Road, South Kensington
London SW7 2RL
Meet inside the Main Entrance in Cromwell Road.
Please note: a reminder email with further information is sent to attendees a couple of days before the workshop. If you have booked a place and don't see the email in your inbox please check your junk folder.
Sketching Adventures in the Victoria and Albert Museum workshop series
Four 1-day workshops exploring the museum's rich history and collections.
Introduction and overview of the four workshops
These four workshops will equip you with a variety of techniques and skills to enhance and develop your drawing abilities. You will learn how to draw from direct observation, boosting your confidence and nurturing your creativity. Although each workshop is designed as a stand-alone experience, focusing on specific elements and areas within the museum's collections, it is highly recommended to participate in multiple workshops. Drawing is a gradual process, and enrolling in more or all of these workshops will significantly enhance your drawing abilities, appreciation, and understanding of observational drawing.
Saturday 13 September:
Explore and draw Art and Architecture
This exploration will span different styles and periods in history, highlights include the museum's famous cast courts and 18th-century interior spaces, among other fascinating exhibits.
What you will be taught and how you will learn
This course will introduce you to various observational drawing techniques, helping you improve your skills and boost your confidence. You'll work in a supportive environment, drawing on location in one of the world's greatest museums, the V&A.
In these workshops, you will explore and be guided through a variety of drawing methods, styles, and techniques. You will learn how to draw, capture and record a diverse range of objects and architecture through direct observation. Each workshop will teach you how to observe and draw from direct observation, including understanding perspective, spatial awareness, recording patterns and details, applying shading, and using pen work, whilst learning about the history of the V&A museums collections and architecture.
Each workshop is carefully designed with engaging, enjoyable activities to accommodate all skill levels. You will receive instruction through detailed step-by-step processes, personalised one-on-one tuition, and structured practical exercises designed to foster individual creativity and in-depth study. Each workshop will be supported by some electronic learning resources which you will be able to access online at the end of each workshop.
ABOUT YOUR TUTOR
Neil Pittaway was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1973. He studied at Cheltenham School of Art from 1993-96, the University of Bradford from 1996-1998, the Royal Academy Schools, London, 1998-2001 and the University of Huddersfield, 2003-04. Neil is a Member of the New English Art Club (NEAC), the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS), the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE), Associate Member of the Alpine Club, London, and an exhibiting Member of Leeds Fine Artists (LFA). His work is in public collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; Bankside Gallery, RWS & RE Collection, London; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; St. Paul’s Cathedral Library, London; Guild Hall Art Library, London; The Arts Club, Dover Street, London; the D.H. Lawrence Museum and Birthplace, Nottingham; the Indian Institute of Contemporary Art, Mumbai, India; and H.M. The Queen, the Royal Collection Trust and The Collection of Heritage Malta. In Neil’s work travel, discovery, the Enlightenment, Gothic revival, satire and historical heritage, are used to create a labyrinth of visual histories.
Tickets will be on sale next week.
