Do you draw? Most of us did as kids, but as we grow up the opportunity for drawing gets smaller. We get busy. And pens and pencils are a little last century, after all. But the fact is that drawing is pleasurable, relaxing, and slows time right down. And it's not just for kids.
The Big Draw Festival was begun by
The Campaign of Drawing in 2000. A not-for-profit charity, their aim is simple ~ to get us drawing more. Drawing has power, they say, to help us to see the world around us in a different way. It is a creative way of opening up our minds to new possibilities, new inventions and new actions.
The Big Draw Festival runs throughout October in Australia, the UK and 14 other countries around the world, with over 200,000 people expected to take part ~ it's a festival for those who love to draw ... and those who don't think they can.
This year's theme is
Drawing Tomorrow.
If you can't attend an event, you can
Big Draw Online with AccessArt. You can also find Big Draw on
Facebook (with weekly drawing challenges),
Twitter,
Pinterest and their
blog.
"If you can draw, even a little bit, you can express all kinds of ideas that might otherwise be lost" ~ David Hockney, Campaign for Drawing patron.
There are many different events going on in other states in Australia which you can find
on the site. The Yarra Ranges is playing host to a
large amount of events (you can download a PDF of the full program
herel).
Here are a selection of events in Melbourne and country Victoria:
Chalk the Skatepark in LilydaleLearn how to use pattern and line to create a temporary public artwork by drawing on the skate park with chalk. The collaborative artwork created will be documented and available online after the event.
Wednesday 2 October - 10am-11:30am
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum - 35 - 37 Castella Street, Lilydale
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $15 -
book here .
Michael Salmon Workshop
Michael Salmon has been involved in graphics, children's literature, TV and theatre since 1967. Michael's many credits include his Alexander Bunyip show, pantomimes, fabric and varied merchandise designs, toy and board game invention and the writing and illustrating of 162 books for children. Michael will share some of the skills that have made him one of Australia's most popular illustrators. Books will be available for sales and signing.
BYO pencil.
Wednesday 2 October - 10:30am
@ Lilydale Library - Anderson Street, Lilydale
Phone: 9294 3120
Suitable for children
Cost: $6 -
book here
64 Drawings in 64 Minutes - with Katz Cowley
Pencils at the ready! Come and join us for a 64-minute drawing marathon! Folding a sheet of paper to create 64 boxes, we attempt to fill them with 64 drawings! A great way to push past any boundaries or fears, by having to respond quickly. A fun and playful way to stretch those drawing muscles.
Saturday 5 October - 2pm-3:30pm
@ Healesville Memorial Hall - 235 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $5 -
book here.
So You Think You Can't Draw In The Digital Age? - with Benno Poeder
Bust your drawing beliefs by using digital techniques on your tablet or smartphone. Learn new ways of creating, drawing and sharing your inspiration with others, all over the world instantly!
Wednesday 9 October - 1pm-3pm
@ Upper Yarra Arts Centre - 3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Book here
Out of My Head - with Sara McPherson
Where do I start? How to get those ideas out of your head and on to paper. Sarah is a respected artist and tutor, based at the Red Earth studios, whose substantial background across a broad range of visual arts materials and techniques brings a fascinating insight into those first steps.
Wednesday 9 October - Wednesday 30 October - 3pm-4:30pm & 5pm-6:30pm
@ Mooroolbark Community Centre - 125 Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
All ages
Cost: $5 -
book here
Top Drawer with Janicke Johansen
Fans of Roald Dahl may be familiar with the illustrations of Quentin Blake. These workshops introduce the young drawer to the art of loose character-based illustration, and how to draw the facial expressions and hand and feet movements that tell the stories.
Thursday 10 October - Thursday 31 October - 5:30pm-6:30pm
Venue:
@ Mooroolbark Community Centre - 125 Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $5 -
book here
MeaghanArt
Do you know what the future holds? Join us in the studio/gallery for a day of drawing fun as we explore the possibilities ...
Sunday 13 October - 10am-4pm
@ MeaghanArt - 19-21 Conness Street, Chiltern
Phone: 044703280410am-4pm
Suits all ages
Cost: gold coin donations appreciated
Drawing in the Dark with Katz Cowley
A whole new drawing experience for over 18s. Venture into the mystery of mark-making in the darkness of our cinema, using music and film as inspiration, whilst enjoying a glass of Yarra Valley wine.
Thursday 17 October - 7:30pm-9:30pm
@ Healesville Memorial Hall, 235 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $15 -
book here
I Am A Drawing Machine - with Clare James
This hands-on incredibly fun workshop gives children the chance to use their bodies as drawing machines and make simple instruments that will be used to draw with. Children will simply have fun and enjoy the process of making an artwork, rather than focusing on the finished work.
Saturday 19 October - 10:30am
@ Healesville Memorial Hall, 235 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $20 -
book here
The Spirit of Fashion Illustration
Facilitated by Angie Rehe
What is fashion illustration and how do you create a stylish fashion figure? Learn the key fundamentals and a fantastic method for creating your own fashion images, then embrace the spirit of fashion illustration with some classic expressive ink drawings. Be inspired by work from some of the masters.
Angie Rehe comes from a fine art background prior to studying and working extensively as a fashion designer for some of Australia's favourite fashion brands. In 2009 she switched the balance and concentrates full time on her big love – fashion illustration.
She created the
Patsyfox illustrated blog, and soon launches
The Drawing Salon – boutique style fashion illustration classes in Melbourne.
Saturday 19 October - 10am-4pm
@ Upper Yarra Arts Centre - 3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton 3799
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $75 -
book here
Mapping Tomorrow
Collaborative imaginings of tomorrow will be sketched and recorded spatially over a large hand0drawn map at Burrinja's Open Day, facilitated by Shelley Krycer. Tomorrow's sounds, tomorrow's lunch, tomorrow's memories...
Sunday 20 October - 12pm-3pm
@ Burrinja - 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey
Phone: 9754 8723
Email:
[email protected]
Ages: 12-16, 16
Cost: Free
Pixels as Pencils - with Benno Poeder
Here's how to use technology to learn to be a kid again. Or, if you are already a kid, just have fun. Drawing pictures with your smartphone or touch tablet is a bit like picking up a pencil. It's creative, it's easy to learn and hard to put down, and you can send your masterpiece anywhere.
Wednesday 23 October - 1pm-3pm
@ Upper Yarra Arts Centre - 3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton
Phone:
1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $10 -
book here
The Big Draw @ Gippsland
Featuring children's book author and illustrator Alison Lester.
Visit Gippsland Art Gallery, EBBWEC, Sale Library and Aqua Energy for drawing activities.
Saturday 26 October - 10.00am to 2.00pm
@ Gippsland Art Gallery - 68-70 Foster Street, Sale
Phone: 0351) 423 372
RSVP appreciated to the above phone number
Ages: 0-5, 6-11, 12-16
Cost: Free
Drawing Sense with Katz Cowley
An invitation to come on a journey into the five senses. Drawing inspiration from activities surrounding sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Engage your drawing sense using fun, explorative techniques.
Sunday 27 October - 7:30pm-9:30pm
@ Healesville Memorial Hall, 235 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: $15 -
book here
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Family Day
In conjunction with Children's Week, History Week and the Big Draw, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum is hosting a free family day. Come in and participate in fun drawing activities and watch the live history theatre and magic performance at 10.30am and 1.30pm.
There is something for every age and ability. No bookings required - just drop by (note: the history theatre and magic performances are on a first come, first served basis)
Sunday 27 October
@ Yarra Ranges Regional Museum - 35-37 Castella Street, Lilydale
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email:
[email protected]
Cost: Free
The Squishface Coaster Show
Be in the littlest art exhibition in Australia! If you fancy yourself or your kids coaster artists, simply draw on a coaster and drop it in to Squishface. Or, come to the Coaster Draw-Off on the afternoon of Sunday 27 October and draw with us! Cardboard coasters, art materials and unhealthy snacks provided.
Sunday 3 November, 12pm-5pm
@ Squishface Comics Studio - 309 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Phone: 0422 509 144
Ages: all ages
Cost: free