In 2025, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ Education Outreach Programme focused on an intensive school visit in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, offering a meaningful and immersive educational experience. 

Led by the ROI Education Officer Natalia Avdeeva and working with upper primary groups, the visit included two workshops: one centred on self-portrait and portrait drawing, exploring how line, proportion, and mark-making can be used to capture emotion and character; the second drew inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine, introducing participants to a classical work and encouraging thoughtful, creative responses.

Further details of these workshops and other ROI education outreach activities can be found on our education outreach page.