The Royal Academy had been founded in December 1768 with Sir Joshua Reynolds, the celebrated portraitist, as its first president. The Academy was originally located in Old Somerset House, but moved to New Somerset House in 1780. (It is now located in Burlington House on Picadilly)

Blake was admitted to the Academy in August 1779. He followed the usual courses, but also worked as a commercial engraver while studying. Of his teachers he revered James Barry, the history painter, but his radically different tastes pitted him against Reynolds and Moser. Blake exhibited his work at the Academy on several occasions, 1808 being the last.

In the 1790s there may have been a movement to make Blake a member of the Royal Academy. Despite the support of successful artists like West and Cosway, the 'eccentricity' and 'extravagance' of his designs, and a snobbish prejudice against the humble birth of his wife, probably scuppered his chances.

In the 1820s Blake was granted twenty-five pounds by the Academy on the grounds that he was 'laboring under great distress'.

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