Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Tools and Techniques

Pupils will get the chance to visit our new exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance at The King’s Gallery, Edinburgh, and be inspired to take part in an art workshop.

We’ll start by introducing the Renaissance and why it was important, before taking a closer look at the drawings on display in the gallery, which includes work by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. This is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to get up close to the work of some of the greatest masters of the period, perhaps for the first time, as 45 of the drawings haven’t been exhibited in Scotland before.

Back in the classroom, led by an artist, pupils will try out some tools and techniques used by Renaissance artists. This will include working with materials such as charcoal and red chalk to develop their mark making and learning how to create a ‘cartoon’ - a type of preparatory drawing which can be transferred onto a surface for painting. As a group we’ll work together to design our own fresco!

This is a 2-hour session which includes access to The King’s Gallery and Abbey Strand Centre.

This session is available on Thursdays and Fridays. Mondays may be available by request only.

Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes  

Second Level 

• I have the opportunity to choose and explore an extended range of media and technologies to create images and objects, comparing and combining them for specific tasks. EXA 2-02a
• I can create and present work that shows developing skill in using the visual elements and concepts. EXA 2-03a

Third Level

• I have experimented with a range of media and technologies to create images and objects, using my understanding of their properties. EXA 3-02a
• I can use and combine the visual elements and concepts to convey ideas, thoughts and feelings in expressive and design work. EXA 3-03a

Our learning programmes are designed to be accessible to all pupils.  Most of our sessions can be adapted to meet any educational or access needs your group may have. Please see our resource Visiting the Palace with Pupils with ASN for further information or speak to a member of the Learning Bookings Team.

A lunch room is available for booked groups in the Learning Rooms. 

To find out more or to make a booking contact the Learning Bookings team.

Please have to hand:

• Preferred date and possible alternatives, plus time of arrival
• Numbers of children and supervising adults
• The taught programme you would like
• Details of any special educational or access needs

Please use the downloadable Bookings Forms to send your details to the Learning Bookings Team.

You will then be sent a reservation letter, together with your teachers’ resource pack, giving a date by which full payment must be received to secure the booking.

Please note: you may be asked to cover the cost of the session if you cancel within short notice of your visit.  Non-booked schools will be charged at standard group admission rates.  Please see our Terms of Application for Learning Group Admissions.

Contact us

Learning Bookings Team
Ticket Sales and Information Office
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA

T. (+44) (0)303 123 7323
F. (+44) (0)20 7930 9625
[email protected]

Sharing Learning Objectives

You will find our learning objectives for each taught session on the relevant programme information page.  Sending us your learning objectives prior to your visit will help us tailor the session to your group’s requirements.

Planning Visits

Once you have made your booking, we offer two complimentary tickets for you and a colleague to conduct a planning visit.  If you would like to meet a member of the Learning team during this visit, please let us know at the time of booking.

Teachers' Packs for each site can be downloaded here.

Reduced-rate admission for school groups

Most of our Gallery schools sessions are £1 per pupil. Children in P1 and below are FREE. Please see individual sessions for details.

Accompanying adults

One teacher or adult helper is admitted free of charge at the following ratios:

Under 5s - P1 - 1 adult: 3 pupils
P2 – P4 - 1 adult: 6 pupils
P5 and above - 1 adult: 10 pupils

Please ask for details of rates for additional adults when booking.

Financial support for travel and access

We have two schemes in place to support schools with travel costs:

• The Travel Subsidy Scheme can cover up to £175 of travel costs if a UK State School.
• The Sustainable Travel Subsidy Scheme can cover up to £200 of funding, either in addition to the above scheme or separate to, if a UK Independent School.

We also have the Schools Access Scheme which gives successful applicants a free facilitated visit for 2 classes.

Further information on these schemes can be found on our Teacher Information Page.

Following your booking a confirmation letter, with an agreed arrival time, will be sent to you; your letter serves as a ticket for your group. The group leader must have a copy of the confirmation letter to present on arrival.

The Royal Collection Trust Learning section asks that teachers undertake the following guidelines to make entry to Royal Collection Trust sites as smooth and quick as possible:

• Please arrive at the Royal Collection Trust site at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the booked workshop
• Teachers and children should not bring the following: scissors, compasses, metal cutlery, sharp metallic implements
• Only bring what you need! The Royal Collection Trust Learning section will provide all necessary equipment such as clipboards, pencils and drawing materials (groups can bring their own sketchbooks if they prefer to use these)