Look, Imagine, Paint!

Join us for a fun, free and family-friendly drop-in painting session at RWS Gallery. This fun painting session is inspired by the artworks currently on display in the Royal Watercolour Society’s Summer Salon exhibition. Children can explore the exhibition, discover ideas from the artists, and create their own paintings to take home. No experience needed — just bring your imagination! Free to attend and suitable for children aged 5+. All children must be accompanied by an adult. About Royal Watercolour Society The origins of the Royal Watercolour Society can be traced back to the formation of the Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1804. Born out of a sense of grievance by a number of such artists who practised in watercolour and felt that they were discriminated against by the Royal Academy, the only professional artistic body of the day. On Friday 30 November 1804 the first meeting of ‘The Society Associated for the purpose of Establishing an Annual Exhibition of Paintings in Water Colours’ was held at The Stratford Coffee House on Oxford Street, London. Founder Members include Samuel Shelley, William Frederick Wells, William Sawrey Gilpin and brothers, John and Cornelius Varley. The Royal Watercolour Society was born! In 1823 the Society was offered a lease at 6 Pall Mall East which they gladly accepted and remained there for 115 years. When that lease came to an end in 1938, little did the Members at that time know, that they would return less than 100 years later when the Society would sign a further lease in 2020, for 250 years no less! In 1881 Queen Victoria granted the Society a Royal Charter, and agreed to sign the certificates that each RWS Member receives on election to the Society. This tradition continues to the present day. King Charles III became Patron of the Royal Watercolour Society on 3rd May 2024. Today, the RWS is an artist-led society made up of an elected Membership who are amongst the finest practitioners in contemporary water-based painting. Artists work in a variety of water media including gouache, acrylic, pen & ink, pigment, collage, mixed media as well as traditional watercolour. The aim of the Society is to promote, by example and education, the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of these exciting media.