CELEBRATING 3 Years of SKetchy Bitches on Zoom!
Remember when dressing up like this was a standard weekly occurrence?!
On 8th April 2023 it will be 3 years since our first ever Sketchy Bitches (portrait) session on Zoom! Little did we know back then what hurdles and challenges we would face, or how important these moments of collective creativity would become as we lived through “unprecedented times”. Together, we discovered new ways of seeing, new ways of celebrating, and new ways of being ourselves.
Faced with multiple lockdowns and restrictions imposed on our everyday lives, drawing became not only a great outlet and coping mechanism – it became a way to socialise, to empathise and to play. Yes we were connected by circumstances, but above and beyond that it was our shared sense of curiosity, kindness and fun that bound us together.
There are too many memories to recall – so many laughs and ‘you had to be there’ moments. The best part, is that all of these memories are documented not in photos but in art – portrait after portrait after portrait, created with dedicated time and care. Together we must have created over 25,000 portraits and each one is testimony to the social power of portraiture and the infinite joy of sketch!
As well as an archive to rival the National Portrait Gallery, we have built a safe and empowering online community where people of all creative abilities can come to play and draw for the fun of it, and meet kind, likeminded Sketchy Bitches whilst they’re at it!
IN the beginning - FRIDA POWER!
The first Sketchy Bitches on Zoom was a ‘dress up and draw’ Frida theme session. This was the first time we met Sarah Tindley – who got hooked on drawing and came back for more, more and more! It’s hard to think of Sketchy Bitches without Sarah T – an iconic muse with an abundance of accessories that can only ever be rivalled by Sara Hughes!
The Art of Self-Love Publication Party
With all non-essential shops shut, October 2020 was not a great time for The Art of Self-love to be published. But I wasn’t going to let that get in the way of a launch party – and of course the iconic Sketch Appeal lobster had to be worn! A slightly surreal, but ace way to celebrate. NB: No vodka was drunk in the staging of this event :)
Secret Sketcher / Sketchy Bitchmas!
A logistical nightmare but a brilliant idea that came to life in December 2020 and again in 2021! Whilst many were busy stirring up Christmas puddings, we spent Sketchup Sunday posing and drawing portraits of each other on mini cards - as is Sketchy Bitches tradition at our in-person events. In this instance, no-one shared their work at the end of the session, instead they posted it to me to bundle up and post to everyone for Christmas. It was so exciting receiving and sorting all the amazing mini artwork - such priceless gifts!
Galentine’s DAY TREATS!
Much the same as our Christmas portrait exchange, only this one was all about celebrating Galentine’s Day and sharing the love for our fellow Sketchy Bitches! There were some great outfits and I’ll never forget the moment Michele appeared on screen, surrounded by heart-shaped balloons! Oh the effort we all made when we had time to dress both ourselves and our ‘set’…!
International Women’s Day WEEKENDER, 2021
We always do something special for International Women’s Day and 2021 was no exception - despite circumstances! We gathered some very special guests and hosted a woman-powered weekend of creative fun and togetherness. This included a Gaga v Grace life drawing session, a wonder woman zine workshop and a very special event with Colour Queen Sue Kreitzman, Colour Expert Momtaz Begum-Hossain and Artist Helen Roeten, who joined us from The Netherlands. We talked about creativity, colour and community, and were join by people from all over the world for one of our busiest sessions yet!
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER!
Another special occasion that proved tricky to celebrate in-person but fun to attempt on Zoom – Mother’s Day 2021! Even those who couldn’t be together in person were able to pose side by side on screen. It was great to finally meet Susan’s daughter Holly, after all the tech support she’d provided her Mum in the first few months!! ;)
HONOURING A SUPERHERO
This is such a bittersweet memory - an incredible example of the solidarity, power and kindness of Sketchy Bitches. On Sunday 18th April 2021 we held a special event in honour of my dear friend Alison Brown – former Front of House Manager of The Cartoon Museum whose death from COVID in January 2021 left a hole in so many lives. Ali had the kindest of hearts and the silliest sense of humour – it was the least we could do to dress up as superheroes and prat around on Zoom for her! Miss her always xxx
HAPPY HOURS & HOURS!
There were definitely times that lockdown went to my head and my ideas took a surreal turn! Many of those who came to Sketchy Bitches also joined our free weekly Happy Hours, where we play with a mix of themes, activities and ideas, and generally have a giggle. During lockdowns, these 60-minute sessions were also a chance to celebrate other ‘special’ occasions – e.g. Amy’s Kiki-themed baby shower and Branca’s birthday, when she was stuck in quarantine in India with COVID! Also, that time in Veganuary when we drew each other as vegetables, Lene played Hamlet and Clari posed as ‘Lady Muckbeth’ on World Shakespeare Day? Truly unforgettable!
Top 10 Themes
It’s so hard to pick but here, in no particular order, are 10 of my favourite theme - see pics below!
Easter Chic
Wes Anderson
Stones v Beatles
Gucci
I-D Magazine
90s Neon
Abstract Alice
Roald Dahl Day
The Jubilee
Shakespeare
SHARE YOUR FAVOURITES & MEMORIES WITH US ON INSTAGRAM!
3 years - 3 Instagram posts! Share them at any time from April 1st and please tag @sketchappeal so we can share!
Your top 10 sketches (of others) from your time with us
A picture (art or photo) of you in your favourite look/outfit
Your first and last portrait of someone you have drawn lots (just to compare for fun!)