Learn to paint in the magnificent surroundings of Greenwich, London

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The Old Royal Naval College (ORNC), Greenwich has launched a number of Art Workshops focused on Wren’s magnificent architecture and run by artists James Willis and Lucy Brennan.

The workshops range from drawing in the beautiful Painted Hall to working on location in the stunning grounds and offer participants the chance to experience and explore the site in new and exciting ways. One past workshop was held in the dome of the Chapel, which isn’t usually open to the public. This offered participants the chance to draw the ORNC from a completely different perspective with wonderful panoramic views of the site. One member of the group, Mark Norris, said:

I really enjoyed the special access to the chapel dome and the different views of Greenwich. Having local experts on the site and a very good art teacher really added to the experience. I would heartily recommend this day to anyone interested in art, with the added bonus of magnificent surroundings the course was held in.

There’s a number of workshops coming up with the next one taking place on Friday 17 April and focusing on watercolour outside at the ORNC.

Each day-long workshop is £40 and is open to all levels and art lovers. Visit the Old Royal Naval College's website for more information.

Old Royal Naval College

Sir Christopher Wren’s twin-domed riverside masterpiece is one of London’s most famous landmarks. It was built 300 years ago as the Royal Hospital for Seamen, a refuge for injured and impoverished sailors of the Royal Navy. In the 19th century it became the Royal Naval College, where the Navy’s officers were trained. In 1998 the Royal Naval College moved to Shrivenham and the ORNC Foundation took over the management of the site with the aim of conserving it for present and future generations, and providing full access so that a wide and diverse audience may enjoy and share its significance.

Today the ORNC is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK, with over 1.8 million visitors a year. It includes the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, the magnificent Painted Hall, painted in Baroque style by James Thornhill (c.1675–1734),  and the Chapel. This historic site stages a year-round programme of events and is home to the University of the Greenwich and to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and the University of Greenwich. The ORNC is also one of the most popular movie locations. Scenes from blockbuster films such as Pirates of The Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides, Skyfall, Les Miserables, The King’s Speech and many more have been shot here. For further information visit the ORNC website. www.ornc.org

In November the Heritage Lottery Fund announced that it had earmarked £2.77m towards the Greenwich Foundation’s £7m scheme to complete the restoration of the Painted Hall. To help the Foundation raise the additional £4m required to ensure the Painted Hall is restored to its former glory visit the project's website.

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