Established in 1919 to foster good draughtsmanship, it has attracted work by such luminaries as Sir Frank Brangwyn (an early President), John Piper and Dame Laura Knight. More recently, the late Olga Lehmann, stage and film designer, sat on its Council.
Currently Ken Howard, Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy and Ronald Maddox, President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, are both Honorary Members of the SGFA.
Today’s members work in both traditional and contemporary styles in all drawing and printmaking media. They include artists as diverse as Ronald Salmond, one of Britain’s leading wood engravers; Susan Hippe, with her exciting versions of the human figure; Valerie Warren, with her wonderful "spirit of the place" travel paintings and drawings; Maz Jackson, a tempera artist recently seen on BBC TV with Rolf Harris, and Jackie Devereux, whose striking work reflects the strong light of the South of France where she lives.