Calling all London-based Sketchy Bitches!

It’s been a while since our last IRL portrait session, so we’re excited to be holding our first of the year on Saturday 3rd Feb! We’ll be sketching from 1am-1pm at Oxford House in Bethnal Green, where we run our community art club.

After a quick warm-up, we’ll take it in turns to pose at the head of the table whilst the rest of the group draw our portrait. Poses will be 8 minutes(ish) and we’ll provide all the materials and paper of various sizes - including our ‘signature’ A7 cards! We’ll likely head off for lunch somewhere afterwards, and maybe even do some more drawing…

Beginners and new faces very welcome - no drawing skills or previous Sketchy Bitches experience is required! Just bring yourself and an open mind : )

There is a wheelchair ramp and accessible toilet on ground level. The cafe is closed so we’ll have the place to ourselves, so it’ll be nice and chilled - but you’ll need to BYO coffee/drinks!

Vegan or not - come and invigorate your drawing skills at this colourful plant-based portrait session!

As well as bringing huge environmental and health benefits, a plant-based diet is rich in one of our favourite things - COLOUR! So we’re taking this opportunity to host a special ‘veganuary’ portrait session to boost your creativity and nourish your soul with warm group energy and vibrant, joyful art! As is Sketchy Bitches tradition, we’ll be drawing 8 minute portraits of as many people as we can in the time, with a short break half way through. Expect a few silly prompts to start things off! :)

Dress code = plant-based! We’re not expecting banana costumes - just dress in the colour of something fruit or veggie. Lemon yellow, pea green, golden grape… you get the idea!

Suitable for total beginners and pros and everything in between!

Tickets £6/£10

Come kickstart the Jubilee weekend at our portrait party!

We couldn’t miss this chance to dress up and draw each other as Sketch Queens! So, to mark our Queen’s epic 70 years on the throne, we’re hosting this special Thursday afternoon edition of (our portrait club) Sketchy Bitches!

We’ll begin with a mandatory sketch of Her Majesty, and continue with the usual ceremonials - drawing 8 minute portraits of as many majestic muses as we can get through in the time!

This is a chance to dress up in homage to the actual Queen, to someone who rules your world, and/or a fictional Queen of…whatever you fancy!

If you can get hold of some paper plates you could draw your portraits on those - create your own royal memorabilia! Or you could draw your Queens as postage stamps, or playing cards - (e.g. above by Monica)

Suitable for all ages and levels of experience. The more the merrier!

NB: This is an online event and you will need to have access to Zoom to participate. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by adults.

Tickets £6 Concessions / £10 Standard
You are welcome to join as a household and only need to pay for 1 ticket

The Queen like you’ve never seen her before!

Andy Warhol to Lucian Freud, many great Artists have created portraits of Her Majesty. None quite like this experimantal lot created at our Horrible Histories themed workshop for Mousetrap Theatre Projects last summer!

Join us for a summery Sunday Sketchup at the London Art Bar!

Expect a tutti fruti playlist and feel free to dress up! Wear a Raspberry Beret, channel Carmen Miranda, go bananas in all-yellow… you know what to do!

As is Sketchy Bitches tradition, we’ll be drawing 8 minute miniature (A7) portraits of as many people as we can in the time. Anyone who poses will get to take home their set of portraits at the end!

Suitable for total beginners and pros and everything in between!
All tickets £10 - basic materials provided but please BYO if you have faves!
This is an IRL event and will take place at the London Art Bar, which is fully-accessible from street level.

If you pose you’ll get to take home a set of mini portraits with your face on ‘em!

Come smash out some sketches at the Sketchy Bitches Easter Sunday special!

What better way to spend Easter Sunday than in the eggscellent company of your creative kindred! Don your finest Spring chic or hunt down some headgear, and you’re all set for an afternoon of fun and easy portrait sketching at the London Art Bar!

As is Sketchy Bitches tradition, we’ll be drawing 8 minute miniature (A7) portraits of as many people as we can in the time. Anyone who poses will get to take home their set of portraits at the end!

Suitable for total beginners and pros and everything in between!
All tickets £10 - basic materials provided but please BYO if you have faves!
This is an IRL event and will take place at the London Art Bar, which is fully-accessible from street level.

If you pose you’ll get to take home a set of mini portraits with your face on ‘em!

Ole!

The Sketchy Bitches Spanish Sizzler is back by popular demand!

Expect all the usual portrait-sketching fun set to a sizzling Hispanic soundtrack! We’ll warm up by drawing a couple of Picasso-style portraits (e.g.s below), then the dancefloor is yours to take it in turns to pose for your 8 minute portrait! Posers can choose whether they’d like to be drawn Picasso-style or freestyle, or leave it for others to decide.

When it comes to the dress code, be as inventive and individual as you like - draw inspiration from Spanish Art, Film, History, Food, Geography... anything goes, from Almodvar to abanicos (fans)! ;)

Open to all levels - ages 18+

NB: We’ll draw as many people as we can in 2 hours - please email us in advance if you’re super-keen to pose - dulcimer@sketchappeal.co.uk

OUTFIT INSPO

A few portraits from last year’s Spanish Sizzler on Zoom…

And a few pics from our 2019 Sizzler at Drink Shop & Do…

At last! Lockdown is (almost) over and British summer has arrived - so LET’S RAVE!!

To create space for weekend artventures, we’re moving Sketchy Bitches from its traditional Sunday time slot to Friday evenings, from 6-8pm BST. This is just for the summer months - we’ll resume our Sunday sessions in Sketchtember!

FIRST UP = NEON NIGHT!

This is a chance to experiment and draw portraits with neon inks, highlighters, POSCAs, paints…whatever you can get your hands on really! (Check out our recommendations below). As usual, we’ll do a quick warm-up then invite people to pose (for 8 minutes) whilst the rest of us draw their portrait. There’s no pressure to pose, or to share your work.

OPTIONAL DRESS CODE = NEON 80S/90S

NEW FACES & BEGINNERS VERY WELCOME - IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!

Tickets = £10 Standard / £6 Concessions

NIFTY NEONS!

Strike a pose there’s nothing to it - DRAW!

This month’s mag-inspired edition of Sketchy Bitches is all about VOGUE sweeties!

Join us for a fun fashionista facefest inspired by the iconic covers of VOGUE magazine. We’ll draw as many muses as we can in 2 hours and take a break half-way through - 7 minutes per pose. The first 12 people to book will be invited to pose first, but you can offer your spot to someone else if you’re not fussed!

There’s plenty of inspiration out there for your outfits and poses - take your pick from our selection of iconic covers below, or choose one of your own if you prefer.

All levels welcome - ages 18+

Tickets = £10 Standard / £5 Concessions

Strike a pose there’s nothing to it - DRAW!

Come join the fun at our sketchy birthday celebration for the Queen of Pop!

Madonna will be 62 years BOLD on 16th August (!!!) so it’s high time for a sketch sesh in her honour!

From glam to goth, Evita to all out 80s - there’s never been a bigger or better chance to dress up and draw! As usual, we’ll kick off with a quick chat and warm-up and then take it in turns to Vogue/pose for the rest of the group to draw (our portrait in 7 minutes). Expect a few experimental portrait prompts and a soundtrack courtesy of Her Madge-esty!

NB: Fancy dress is optional but highly recommended!

Tickets = £5 low-income/concessions / £10 standard

Just who and what is Sketchy Bitches?!

Sketchy Bitches is a playful portrait-sketching club open to all aged 18+. It’s suitable for all levels of experience - including complete beginners and people who think they “can’t draw”! We have a core of regulars who all draw for the mindfulness and fun of it, and these sessions are a time to unwind and connect - with your creativity and with your kindred!

Whatever your level of experience, we encourage you to experiment and play around with different approaches, materials and styles to help you build confidence and motivation to draw more in everyday life. This isn’t about perfecting the art of portraiture - it’s about celebrating its social power and sharing in the joy of sketch!

Let your creativity (and your wardrobe) run wild on the Sketchy Bitches Summer Safari!

A chance to get up-close-and-personal with a community of kindred creatures, and to unleash you creative superpowers on the world!

Expect all the usual portrait-sketching fun, plus a wild soundtrack and a few ‘wild card’ prompts thrown into the mix.

We’ll be doing short, sharp poses (5-10 mins max) and we guarantee the first 10 people to book will be drawn. EB highly recommended!

Dress code = WILD!

Tickets = £5 low-income/concessions / £10 standard

Come get your colour on!!

Join us for the first in a brand-new series of Sketchy Bitches sessions exploring, experimenting and sketching with different materials.

At this first session we’ll be playing with coloured pencils and trying out some of the colouring and shading techniques we love. To consider the different styles and effects you can create, we’ll look at work by some of our favourite illustrators who ROCK the coloured pencil, which we’ll use as prompts to inspire our portraits.

In the first half we’ll draw one image/person several times in a range of styles - in the second you will have a chance to pose for your portrait. Expect a mix of short and longer poses in this session - depending on numbers not everyone will be drawn. No dress code but feel free to dress colourfully - seems fitting!!

TIckets = by donation (suggested £5-10)

Ole!

The Sketchy Bitches Spanish Sizzler is back by popular demand!

Expect all the usual portrait-sketching fun set to a hot latino soundtrack! When it comes to your turn to pose, you’ll get the opportunity to pick a prompt and decide whether you want to be drawn Picasso-style, Dali-style or freestyle.

Poses last 5-10 minutes and we guarantee the first 10 people to book will be drawn - so early booking is highly recommended!

Dress code = FLAMENCO!

A few pics from last summer’s Sizzler at Drink Shop & Do…

We’re going BIG and BOLD at this weeks’ edition of Sketchy Bitches!

And we’ll also be joined by a special guest muse - Founder of Originary Arts, Nikki Shaill!

We’ve been Sketchy Bitchin’ on Zoom for 3 months now and some our regulars are getting pretty cocky!! So, this week, we’re upping the ante and challenging you to:

• draw longer (10 minute) poses

• use ONLY coloured pens/pencils/paints/stuff

• work on A3 paper

After a brief chat with Nikki about her work and creative practise, she’ll strike a couple of colourful 10 minute poses and then we’ll spend the rest of the session drawing (10 min) portraits of each other. (Not everyone will get chance to pose obv!)

New faces and beginners very welcome - this is a fun and friendly portrait club for ALL (aged 18+)!

Please ensure you have some A3 paper + lots of colourful drawing materials

DRESS CODE = COLOURFUL!

Our guest muse

If you haven’t already heard it, check out our interview with Nikki on episode 2 of The Sketch Appeal Podcast!

When it comes to drawing, Nikki is a big advocate of big and bold approach - she also has a wardrobe/house BURSTING with colour! Can you think of a finer muse for this session?

We had loads of fun retrosketching Old Spitalfields Market last summer, so we’re reviving our favourite themes for some Sketchy Bitchin’ on Zoom!

This week’s dress code and theme = VINTAGE VIBES!

Expect all the usual chat, tunes and power-sketching - with a retro twist ! We’ll kick off with a look at some vintage fashion illustrations for inspiration, do a quick warm-up challenge and then spend the rest of the session drawing portraits (of each other) - approx. 7 minutes per pose. And we’ll do our best to keep you in the groove with a special vintage playlist!

WHAT TO BRING?

If you’ve got any scrap bits of paper, old books, wallpaper, cardboard etc. then bring them along - this is a great chance to upcycle and explore the effects of drawing on different textures and surfaces. If you’ve got any coloured pencils, pastels and/or pastel pencils then bring them along to play with - they could work really well with this theme!

SKETCH APPEAL RECOMMENDS

This paper gives instant vintage vibes to any portrait and it’s really lovely to draw on! You can order from GreatArt online - maybe even in time for the workshop!

Currently on sale - only £2..89!

(All of the portraits on this page were drawn on this paper)

Join the Sketchy Bs for a sizzlin’ summer fiesta at Drink Shop & Do!

Expect all the usual portrait-sketching fun with a Spanish twist! You’ll get chance to experiment and play with different styles, as you choose whether to draw portraits in your own style, Picasso-style or add a surreal twist to your sketches and draw like Dali!

After a brief intro & warm-up challenge, we’ll take it in turns to pose whilst the rest of the group draw pocket-sized portraits of us - which we get to take home at the end!

Poses last approx. 10 minutes per person and we’ll ensure that everyone gets a go. The session will start at 7pm prompt so please arrive on time!

Dress code = FLAMENCO! Fans, flowers…all the stereotypes! ;)

SORRY THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT.

If you’d like us to run another event in the future or let you know if tickets become available please

JOIN THE WAITING LIST

Meet, Play, DRAW!

Sketchy Bitches is a sketchworking group for women. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how old you are or how ‘good’ you think you are at drawing: Sketchy Bitches unites us all through our desire to meet like-minds, support womankind and experience the joy of SKETCH!

There are now over 2500 Sketchy Bitches in London and the community is growing fast. Come join the fun!

Yazzzzzzz B*tches!!  It’s time for the 2nd of our Retrosketch sessions at Old Spitalfields Market, and this time we’re heading back to the 80s for a night of power-dressing, power-drawing fun!!

In keeping with the decade of excess (and to leave room for your side pony tail/perm/massive hair!), instead of the usual mini cards, we’ll be going BIG and drawing A6 ‘power portraits’!  We’ll also be working with a funky mix of colourful materials: including neon POSCAS, Brushmarkers, highlighters and felt tips a-go go! 

As well as drawing lots of funky retro portraits of your fellow B*tches, you’ll get to transform an old VHS tape into a fab new ‘Sketching Bitch Case’ feat. your favourite 80s film or TV show!  Perfect for stashing your portraits and pencils in, and yours to take home at the end of the night. 

Tickets £12 inc. all materials - BYO snacks & drinks

NB: There are only 12 spaces available so book in advance and be sure to arrive Ride On Time!!

V H YESSSSS!!!

Come and make a custom pencil case feat. your fave 80s film!

WHOOP WHOOP!!

Get pret-a-party and pret-a-portrait: cos it’s time for a special birthday edition of Sketchy Bitches!

Sophie is one of the longest-running members of Sketchy Bs and it’s her birthday soon, so we’re celebrating with a special Birthday B*tches party in Soho! It’s also my birthday on 1st August, so I’ll be gatecrashing the party too :)

OBVIOUSLY, Sophie and I will be posing first - and insisiting that you draw us with your non-dominant hand!

When it's your turn to pose, you'll get to call the shots and choose whether you'd like us to draw you Picasso-style, with our non-dominant hands, in specific colour combos....or something else entirely! Essentially, your pose - your prompt!

Tickets £10 inc. all materials, cake, tea/coffee and unlimited 90s TUNES!! And as ever, you'll get to take home a stack of mini portraits at the end: birthday cards for all!! :)

Hope you can make it!

Love, Dulcimer xxx

(Founder of Sketch Appeal and soon-to-be 38th Birthday Bitch!)

Forget the great summer getaway: join us for a time-travelling ART-venture in Spitalfields instead!

To celebrate the summer and our love of bygone times, we’re hosting a series of nostalgic Retrosketch nights at Old Spitalfields Market - on #ThrowbackThursdays, obv!

If you love a bit of vintage and/or spend a lot of time trawling Pinterest for fun fashion ads and mag covers to draw, then you’re in for a treat! We’ll be playing with different materials and illustration styles each time, so these sessions are a great opportunity to experiment with new tools and ideas.

Sessions will take in the dedicated workshop space next to SOMA House, so it’s BYOB and dinner/snacks. We’ll supply all the materials and a suitable retro soundtrack!

Grab yourself a ticket and climb aboard the Sketchy Express!!

Our first session = Vintage B*tches!

You can’t beat the classics, so we’re kicking off our Retrosketch series with a Sketchy Bitches portrait session, but with a few twists! 

Instead of mini biz cards, we’ll be drawing on A6 kraft cards and working with coloured pencils, pastels and Tombows: all perfect for creating those vintage vibes!

 As usual, we’ll all take a turn to pose for the rest of the group to draw and you’ll get to take home your portraits at the end. 

Come on down and grab yourself a pack of gorgeous ‘Postcards from the Past’ with your face all over them!!

Only 12 spaces available - tickets £12 in advance