Austin & Maggie hosted a weekly Drink and Draw during their sixth month master course in Manchester. They learned a few things along the way… and here are a few tips to get you started on your own Drink & Draw events…
People are inherently lazy and prefer not to go to bring their own supplies. Bring some pens and paper with you. Austin & Maggie use regular markers and ballpoint pens, because fancy art materials are expensive and can be intimidating. We discourage using pencils, because we think pens are better for making mistakes. Encourage more experienced drawers to bring whatever materials they are more comfortable with.
Yes, we can change the world with creativity and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day people want to have fun. Give extra time for socialising and of course the drinking part. We also encourage switching seats throughout the session, so people can get to know other people than the ones sitting with them from the beginning.
No Drink and Draw is ever the same. The dynamics, the size of the group, and the experience of drawers is always different. It is important to identify this during the event and switch up the games by people’s reactions. We have some higher intensity games and some more relaxed ones. If you’re not able to get a reading from the room, just ask the doodlers!
Encourage rule breaking and being comfortable failing. Drink & Draw is not about following a strict protocol. It’s about having the freedom to be creative.
Every Drink & Draw can be improved, which is why after every event we ask drawers what worked well, what they didn’t like, what could change, and if anyone has other ideas.
