Drawing Class Expands

A UNIQUE Leigh drawing class celebrated a year of successful community creativity with both a special event, and an increase in sessions.
Drawing Bits, a life drawing class held at Bits on the Side, ran an open-air drawing session in the venue’s secret garden, in the latest of a run of eclectic and popular events.
Since starting, every session has been a sell-out, with its welcoming and diverse approach a key draw.
Founder Kev Hurst explains the group’s ethos: “There’s no judgement and nothing to prove.
“Sessions are deliberately untutored, with all materials provided, for maximum creative expression.
“Our models are a big part of it too, all ages and all bodies.
“We’ve had burlesque performers, plus-size models, a man covered head to toe in tattoos, a real-life pensioner couple modelling together and we even drew Santa last Christmas.”
Drawing Bits is emblematic of Leigh’s rich cultural offering, with a particular focus on intentionally reconnecting to embodied and nurturing activities.
Mr Hurst added: “Leigh has such a thriving art community.
“My aim has always been to create a laidback creative space: I make a playlist of chilled tunes for every session for us to draw along to and phones stay away.”
He describes it as “meditation with a pencil – the opposite of sitting on the sofa endlessly doom scrolling.”
With seasonal events a big part of Drawing Bits makeup, Mr Hurst is planning a ‘Day of the Dead’ theme for Halloween, re-running a neon session under blacklights with a model painted in UV body paint.
Due to popular demand, sessions are also moving from once a month to twice a month, from August.
Mr Hurst added: “Anyone is welcome, and we get a big mix of abilities drawing side by side: complete beginners next to lifelong artists.”
Discover more on Instagram @drawingbits
Picture: “meditation with a pencil”
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