About Dr. Sketchy’s
Since 2005, Dr. Sketchy’s has been the name in alternative drawing. From illegal flashmobs to the Museum of Modern Art, Dr. Sketchy’s has brought artists a rule-breaking cocktail of dames, drinking and drawing. Dr. Sketchy’s branches draw in over a hundred cities around the globe, from Akron to Zagreb. Whether you’re an artstar or a scribbling newbie, Dr. Sketchy’s is the perfect place to get your fill of life-drawing.
Dr. Sketchy’s is the brainchild of artist Molly Crabapple.
About the Austin branch of Dr. Sketchy’s
Each session of the Austin Dr. Sketchy’s is a life drawing class turned cabaret extravaganza. Attendees draw glamorous underground performers, compete in contests, network with other artists, and win prizes. Austin Sketchy was one of the first branches, founded in 2006.
We meet at The Volstead, located as part of Hotel Vegas, on 1500 E 6th Street. Our sessions are generally held on the first Sunday of the month, from 5-8pm. There is street parking around the venue. You are welcome to arrive a bit early to set up. Please, no messy or smelly mediums, and please clean up after yourself.
Our sessions range in themes from Conan the Barbarian to Marie Antoinette. The models are chosen for their looks and talent, and are (un)dressed in spectacular costumes. Expect  good music, cocktails and (sometimes) burlesque performances, and sporadic wacky contests (best incorporation of cupcakes? best left handed drawing?). Being good at drawing does not matter: this “Anti-Art School” is open to everyone!
Do I have to be an artist to attend Dr. Sketchy’s?
All kinds of artists are welcome at our sessions, from the complete amateur to the advanced. Gregarious people just like you have rediscovered their creative talents while busily sketching costumed performers in bars the world over.
Who comes to Dr. Sketchy session?
Our audience generally consists of college students, professional animators, fine painters, comic book artists as well as folks who want to practice or just like sketching beautiful women with crayons. We don’t discriminate. We are one big happy family and we want you to join us! This is not some stoic figure drawing group where people don’t interact. We share our work, make new friends and even network professionally.
What should I expect from a session?
Our sessions are three hours long. The first block of time is 45 minutes, and consists of a variety of 1-3 minute drawing poses. Models will be doing a lot of gestural poses, and artists use this time to do quick sketches and to warm up. We take a break to let the model rest and change costume, and for artists to mingle and grab a drink. The second block of time is 45 minutes, consisting of 5-7 minute long poses. Second break of the evening. The third and final poses are two twenty minute poses. At the end of the session, artists bring up their favorite drawings of the evening and the model will choose her top three favorites, and the artists receive prizes -ranging from free admission to future events or cool art books from Baby Tattoo.
Our sessions are very popular and usually sell out. Our normal audience is 30-35 people and we highly suggest paying via paypal to hold a seat. Cover at Dr. Sketchy is $10 per person and that will hold one chair for you at the session. Please bring your own art supplies. You are also welcome to bring easels but please note that you will need to stand behind all of our seated attendees.
Can I photograph your hottie models?
Photography at the sessions is not allowed, as it is distracting to other artists. If you want reference photos to finish up your sketches, please visit our Austin Sketchy Flickr pool.
I LOVE Dr. Sketchy’s! Can I be a volunteer?
YES! Email drsketchysaustin at gmail.com and drop us a line. We need help promoting, setting up props, and wrangling people at shows. We can offer you free admission!
Some candid shots of some of our sessions:
Can I be a model for Dr. Sketchy’s??
We accept models & concepts for sessions of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art school on a rolling basis, and generally book three months in advance. Burlesque performers, dancers, amazing costumes or those with special skills (contortionist? body builder?) strongly considered.
In particular, we’re looking for
burlesque performers
drag queens
women of color
people with serious physical skills
circus performers
contortionists
gymnasts
ballerinas
bodybuilders of all genders
Additionally, models must be reliable, able to hold a pose for 20 minutes (much more boring/painful than it looks), and have a sense of humor and theatricality. We strongly prefer people with costumes and ideas about what sort of themes they’d like to explore, as well as people who have their own fanbases. We have a limited amount of slots (12 gigs a year). All gigs are paid $60+ (plus tips), photographed, and get a good amount of press. Check out our archives to see if you may be interested. Email drsketchysaustin at gmail.com with your portfolio.
I missed your April 1st gig, but I don’t want to miss the next one. I’m not on FaceBook, is there a mailing list or something with your upcoming schedule? Thanks!
K
is the entire space reserved for artists or are there regular customers there for the preformance? must you reserve in advance or can you just show up pick a spot ?
Sometimes regular customers stop in for a drink, but not usually until the end of the session. You don’t have to reserve a space in advance, but it is advised that you show up around 4:50 to show up and pick a seat, we usually start at 5:00 or shortly thereafter.