Frank Bowling: Driven to Draw, opens today at The Royal Drawing School
The Royal Drawing School in London has unveiled Frank Bowling: Driven to Draw, an exhibition showcasing the drawing practice of Sir Frank Bowling OBE RA, one of the most significant artists of his generation, from 25 June – 22 August 2026.
Spanning more than sixty years, the exhibition, organised by the Royal Drawing School in close collaboration with Frank Bowling, brings together preparatory sketches and collages drawn from the artist’s archive, alongside completed works on paper and paintings. The show is divided into three main sections: early drawings made during Bowling’s years as an art student in the 1950s and 1960s; expanded drawings from Bowling’s practice from the mid-1960s onwards; and a series of recent works up to the present day, highlighting drawing as a space for exploration and discovery throughout the artist’s later career.
The exhibition includes Self Made (2020), a work that Sir Frank will gift to the Royal Collection following the exhibition’s close. Ben Bowling and Sacha Bowling, sons of the 92-year-old artist, presented the work to Their Majesties The King and Queen at a reception at St James’s Palace on the eve of the exhibition’s opening, 23 June 2026, to mark The King’s ongoing commitment to drawing education since he founded the Royal Drawing School with the artist Catherine Goodman CBE LVO in 2000.
The exhibition inaugurates a new series of annual summer exhibitions at the Royal Drawing School, dedicated to exploring the drawing practice of major artists. As a drawing school, the exhibitions are developed as active spaces for practice as well as viewing. Accompanying each exhibition, the Royal Drawing School will produce a special publication, designed as both a catalogue and sketchbook, including blank pages that invite visitors to engage directly with the act of drawing themselves.
To coincide with the opening of the exhibition, the Frank Bowling Foundation formally launched as a registered charity on 24 June 2026. With education at its core, the Foundation is dedicated to expanding public access to art education and to ensuring that the artist’s work remains widely accessible, critically studied and culturally alive for future generations.
Harry Parker, Director of the Royal Drawing School, said: “At the Royal Drawing School we believe drawing is fundamental to how artists think and work. We are thrilled that Sir Frank Bowling OBE RA is the first artist in this new series, which shines a light on drawing as an essential part of artistic development. By presenting works from artists’ personal archives, the programme offers students and visitors a rare opportunity to see how drawing underpins a lifetime of practice.”
Sir Frank Bowling OBE RA said: “One of my most vivid memories as a student at the Royal College was discovering the life room. It was extraordinary: a space filled with students, all drawing from the figure, alive with creativity. I had always tried to teach myself to draw, but that was the moment it truly became a passion — something I was determined to pursue. That was where it began, and since then, in one way or another, I’ve been drawing every day.”
Events
Alongside the exhibition, the Royal Drawing School will present two live online events.
- Online Drawing Class
Digital Studio: inspired by Frank Bowling
29 June 6.30–8.30pm
A two-hour live online drawing class will take place within the exhibition space. The session will begin with an introduction to Frank Bowling’s drawing practice by his son, Ben Bowling, and his grandson, Frederik Bowling, followed by tutor-led drawing exercises inspired by his work.
- Online talk
Drawing Dialogue: Ben Bowling & Claudia Tobin on Frank Bowling
1 July, 7pm
In this live online event, Ben Bowling will be joined by curator Claudia Tobin for a conversation exploring Frank Bowling’s drawing practice at key stages throughout his career. Together, they will offer insight into the development of his work, reflecting on drawing as a fundamental and continuous part of his artistic process.
Learning resources
Free online and printed Key Stage 3 and 4 resources will be available, supporting young people in developing their drawing practice. Videos on Frank Bowling’s process and archive, as well as inspired drawing exercises and an essay, are available on the school’s free online drawing archive, the Living Library.
Find out more here.
Frank Bowling: Driven to Draw
25 June – 22 August 2026
The Royal Drawing School, 19-22 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am – 5 pm, Sat 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free (£7.50 donation encouraged)
Frank Bowling: Driven to Draw is kindly supported by The Maria Manetti & Jan Shrem Foundation
