We're going to kick the year off with a fantastically close-up series of video footage by the incredible Joel Sartore, creator of the National Geographic's Animal Ark photographic collection.

We've been given kind permission to draw from his recorded footage of a whole range of species and over the year we are going to work our way through the alphabet and draw animals that perhaps you've never even heard of before. It's very exciting! In this session we are going to be drawing animals beginning with A, B & C.

The recordings are taking in a studio environment so we are totally up close and personal to see creatures like never before. All of the animals documented are captive bred and are often part of vital breeding programs for endangered species. 

All levels of creatives are welcome to these sessions and there is never any pressure to share your work if you don't want to. What you can expect is to find an encouraging group of animal-loving artists who love the challenge of drawing all creatures great and small, feathered or fishy, we love them all! 

DO BRING PLENTY OF PAPER - you will get through a lot! The rest is up to you, but I recommend choosing materials that move quickly across the page for those moving animal studies. 

PLEASE ARRIVE IN PLENTY OF TIME - the sessions are always jam-packed with footage so I try to start promptly at 7pm so it's a good idea to jump on the zoom ten mins beforehand to get settled. I can of course let you in if you arrive late (I'm no meany!) : )

I can't wait to draw with you!