Saturday 26th May 2012

Writing this on another wet and miserable summer day it is hard to imagine that the sun ever shone in England. It did and it was on one of these rare and gloriously sunny days that we made our way to the Victoria in Birmingham to attend Dr Sketchy's 'Spring has Sprung' event.

The sunny weather meant that there were slightly less of us than usual, apparently some people would rather sit in their gardens than sit in a room drawing girls. Idiots!

Those of us who had made the right choice and decided to draw climbed the stairs to the Victoria's exclusive studio bar (room above the pub) and were greeted by the soothing sound of Vivaldi's four seasons (Spring of course) played by resident Birmingham Sketchy's DJ J.

The venue has been known to get a little warm and the girls had pulled out all the stops to keep us comfortable.We were treated to a barrage of electrical fans, Windows had been thrown open, and the sunlight streamed in. However in all his majestic glory even the sun was not as bright and dazzling as the gorgeous Liberty Pink who welcomed us with the musical number 'Spring Spring Spring'.

Liberty , a vision in verdant green, welcomed us all and asked if there were any Dr Sketchy's Birmingham virgins in the house. There were, several in fact, and they were all made welcome with a spontaneous round of applause. New attendees welcomed, Liberty gave us a twenty minute pose adorned with various spring blooms.

She then came amongst us and chose her favourite drawing. Liberty chose Alexandra 'Sasha' Balan, a newcomer, because she 'Liked the way she drew my haircut and boobs' and what better credentials for a piece of art.

Sasha was welcomed to the stage and presented her prize, a wonderful bouquet of flowers, as it was Sasha's first time Liberty explained that the second (and more important prize) was that she had to give her a kiss. Cheeks kissed Sasha retook her seat and Liberty introduced our next act Miss Shirley Windmill.

Miss Windmill bounded on to the stage and hit us right between the eyes with a good old fashioned, old time music hall song and dance act. Full of innuendo and charm which cumulated (or should that be cultivated?) in the revealing of the other star of her act, a bright green, extraordinarily large and juicy marrow.

Shirley and the marrow then performed an amazing routine which had us all open jawed and all hoping the rosette's covering her modesty weren't held on with safety pins.

Shirley and the marrow then posed for us for twenty minutes. The mix of a beautiful girl and a large vegetable made a great combination to draw and we all had great fun. Shirley chose her favourite who was brought to the stage. Another newcomer (Hooray!) Christine Hodges. Christine graciously accepted her bouquet and now knowing the routine gave both Shirley and Liberty a kiss on the cheek. After such excitement we were ready for a break, so break we did.

This was a great opportunity to say hello to everyone. Newcomers were soon chatting with regulars and everyone was showing each other their work. The atmosphere at Dr Sketchy's Birmingham is always so friendly and warm that it always feels like a big happy family so the breaks are always less about having a break and more about catching up with old, and making new friends, seeing how others work and showing your own work. But breaks can't last forever and we were here to draw so we were pleased when we were welcomed back.

Liberty Pink took to the stage again singing a wonderful ditty, and handing out free snacks, 'what a lovely song' we thought as we all tucked in to our free food 'I wonder what it's called?'. We soon found out 'Poisoning Pigeons in the Park', oh dear, suddenly those free snacks didn't seem so appetising. But of course Liberty wasn't trying to kill us (although I am sure she has caused a few hearts to stop in her time) she came to entertain us and get us to be creative and so we moved on to the next pose.

Liberty was joined on stage by the graceful doll like beauty, floor manager and vision in pink that is Miss Tiffany Beau. Posing as though on a park bench the girls arranged themselves for a twenty minute pose. Tiffany chose to hold aloft a beautiful silk parasol which framed the pose wonderfully.

The pose ended, Tiffany got the feeling back in her arms and they moved around the group and chose there favourite picture. The winner was John Abbiss, regular attendee, first time winner. The girls handed him his flowers, kisses were exchanged and the next act took to the stage.

The delightful and delectable Velma Von Bon Bon, a Dr Sketchy's Birmingham regular and one of the funniest performers on the scene, entertained us dressed as an English country lady besieged by bees, needless to say the bees soon got everywhere, in everything and under every piece of clothing and Miss Von Bon Bon, in an attempt to alleviate the problem, was soon bereft of (almost) all of her garments. Cue huge applause and laughter, such a great performance.

Velma then joined us back on stage and gave us two great ten minute poses.

As Velma chose her favourite picture Liberty commented that 'Velma has more layers on than a game of pass the parcel', she also said 'I love her name because I can say Velma Von Bon Bon Bon Bon Bon, I feel so Lingual, or is it Labial?' Mercifully at that point Velma had chosen her favourite picture.

Dr Sketchy’s Birmingham regular Alex Ross joined the girls on stage with his two amazing creations. Flowers were given out, more beautiful girls were kissed and then Liberty introduced our final performer of the afternoon Mia Merode.

Mia emerged as a beautiful fairy (think Cottingley not Christmas tree) with a stunning pair of Prussian blue butterfly wings which she used to full effect. She performed an act that was beautiful and mesmerising. An amazing moment was when various petals and flowers she had hidden amongst her clothing were picked up by the electric fans at the front of the stage and cascaded playfully around her. An amazing and magical act which was made even more amazing by the fact that all of the act was done 'en pointe'.

Mia then fluttered back on stage and gave us two ten minute poses. One pose saw her with both arms held high above her head which was wonderful to draw, but also caused a lot of us to ask 'are you OK like that?' 'do you want a rest?' 'are you SURE you're OK like that? etc' throughout the pose. She made it though and then chose her favourite picture. A beautiful watercolour by another regular the wonderful Daniel Stedman. And so with our last performer leaving the stage we asked ourselves was this the end? Of course not this is Dr Sketchy's Birmingham and there are always surprises in store.

Our finale. Liberty Pink rejoined us, dressed as a demure Fraulein, and sung to us the joys of 'Edelweiss' the timid mountain flower. Dr Sketchy's Birmingham, demure? Timid flowers? Not for long! It didn't take long before Liberty changed the pace. She was soon belting out perhaps the classiest of all Springtime songs 'Springtime for Hitler'.

Goodbye to the demure the milkmaid outfit and hello to a naughty black corset with suspenders and those oh so fashionable Nazi insignia adornments. As we neared the end of the song all of this was topped off by Liberty adopting the notorious toothbrush moustache, and goose-stepping around the stage and into our hearts.

Through the rapturous applause Liberty just had time to thank all of our performers, our resident DJ, the delightful Candee Picees (organiser, official photographer and all round good egg) and remind us that the next event is on 28Th July and will be a Wild wild West spectacular.

As we left the darkness and rejoined the sunshine we may not have been tanned but we all had a rosy glow and were all looking forward to doing it again in July; on the 28th.

Pip (Astro) Bayley Resident artist and blogger for Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School Birmingham

Art by Pip (Astro) Bayley

Photographs by Candee Photography at www.candeephotography.co.uk

As Bruce Wayne once said 'Criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot' artists however are a little braver, and so it was pencils, pens and paints in hand it was we descended on the Victoria Pub for the latest Dr Sketchy's Birmingham.

An integral part of Dr Sketchy's is getting a good seat (they are all good seats), usually this leads to a sense of determination upon entering. Pay money. Head down. Find seat. Draw!

After this initial distraction we settled down and sat back for an afternoon of enjoyment, art and entertainment. Our long standing and beautiful host Miss Liberty Pink kicked off proceedings with a jazzy, hi energy, version of the Spiderman theme tune. Liberty was dressed in a Spidey costume so tight you could practically see her webbing. 'Its for boys age 9-10' she told us, 'I'm keeping it'. Brilliant!

Unusually for us our first two models were boys, Al and John who had just come to watch the show. Ten minutes earlier they had found themselves bundled into the gents with a costume each ( I know I walked in on them (I may never sleep again)). They took to the stage dressed as Batman and Robin and feigned uncomfortableness for about ten seconds. Then they realised they were dressed as Batman and Robin and that lots of people were looking at them, that was AWESOME!

Both of the boys embraced the role with great gusto, striking manly man poses that would of put the fear of god into any criminal. And talking of criminals the boys were joined on stage for there second pose by the latex and mask wearing Cat Woman, aka Miss Liberty Pink in what was only the first of many costume changes.

Another pose was struck and drawings were drawn, the dynamic duo and feisty feline walked among there audience surveying our work. There favourite piece belonged to the excellent Alex Hughes who can often be seen at Dr Sketchys and always produces great work. 
Liberty then introduced onto the stage Miss Parma Violet with her Harley Quinn act. Never has the Jokers squeeze looked so delightful. As the act ended and we began to applaud Parma ran off stage to 'complete the look'.

While we were waiting Miss Liberty Pink rejoined us, and as a tribute to the late great Eartha Kitt (one of the original Catwomen) sung 'I wanna be evil'. Eartha would have been proud, Liberty gave it her all and was dazzling as always.

Miss Parma Violet then rejoined us, now with full Harley white face and fizzing cartoon bomb and we set about drawing her. Harley Quinn and Parma Violet are both inspiring characters, and a treat to draw, the combination of the two seemed to bring out the best in the artists and some great pieces were produced. Parma Violet gambolled amongst the crowd and chose Ann Brierley as her favourite.

A short interval was announced and we all had a chance to refill our glasses and look at each others work. Then back for the second half, and KAPOW! who is this coming from behind the spangly curtain (pub door)? Jessica Rabbit. Or rather Miss Liberty Pink dressed as Jessica Rabbit. Liberty strolled and sung her way round the audience, and in true Jessica fashion, picked on several of the male members of the audience who all looked a mixture of slightly embarrassed and thrilled (mostly thrilled).

Liberty welcomed us back and then introduced to the stage the beautiful Miss Tiffany Beau. Tiffany looked stunning as the 'Silk Spectre' and after some initial confusion and hilarity as to whether we had 'started' or not, she gave us a lovely seven minute pose with a smashing bit of foreshortening.

Tiffany was joined by Liberty on the stage in her fourth and final costume change. This time she had donned full Tank Girl regalia, complete with gun, bother boots, and snarl. Liberty gave us a seven minute pose, gun in hand and full of attitude. Both girls then wandered through the audience and chose Norma Robertson as there favourite artist, whose work was delightful and really captured both girls.

Next up was Velma Von Bon Bon, or rather not her but a sack containing her. Brought on to the stage by a villainous villain (who looked remarkably similar to our Batman) and forced to escape, with help from various props and an office chair. It's very hard to make office furniture look sexy but Velma Von Bon Bon definitely managed it, and then some. Velma then proceeded to don spangly arm bands, cape and corset to transform into the deliciously dashing Super Velma.

Velma's act was brilliantly done and very funny. We all jut about managed to control our laughter enough to complete a twenty minute pose. Whilst Velma was choosing the winner Liberty and Tiffany treated us to an impromptu dance performance of Black Lace's 'Superman' (one of many Superhero themed records chosen by our house DJ) which caused even more hilarity.  Velma flew amongst the audience and chose her favourite drawing, which was by another Sketchys regular Lisa Harper. Lisa's work is always exceptional and she has a way of capturing the girls that is lovely.

Miss Ivy Wilde, whose routine saw the bookish Pamela Isley transform into the go go dancing and sizzling Poison Ivy. Dressed of course in the standard foliage bikini but this bush had a surprise. POW! A flick of a switch and a hundred million lights appeared within the greenery. Brilliant! We definitely needed 'an ocean of calomine lotion' but what we had was paper and pencils. Ivy retook the stage and gave us our final Twenty minute pose of the day.

It is a long standing tradition that whoever has the models favourite picture comes to the stage and gets to kiss both the model and Liberty Pink (and indeed anyone else that might be hanging around). Had Alex Hughes been feeling left out at only having men to kiss (he had won at the beginning of the afternoon with his Batman and Robin picture) then the Burlesque gods were smiling on him. Alex's brilliant art saw him take to the stage for a second time and this time get to kiss two girls. Liberty again and Miss Ivy Wilde. After the kisses Alex took his seat and Liberty serenaded, our punk rocked, us with one last song.

And that was it. Our comic book capers had reached the final page but before we left Miss Liberty Pink told us the next event would be on May 26 and would be themed 'Spring has Sprung'. She then proceeded to show us the website address in a way that was memorable, probably illegal, and truly amazing (see our site for photos).

We packed up our pencils, put on our capes slid down our batpoles (stairs) and headed back to the City streets vowing to return 'Same bat time (ish), Same bat channel' for the next Dr Sketchys Birmingham...

Pip (Astro) Bayley Resident artist and blogger for Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School Birmingham
Photographs by Candee Photography - www.candeephotography.co.uk

Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School Birmigham presents 'Comic Book Capers'

Come and join us for more fun and frolics of a boozey, burlesque and arty kind!

Our line up for our homage to the cartoon and comic book world can now be announced....
 

Parma Violet - Harley Quinn act
Velma Von Bon Bon - Super Girl inspired act
Ivy Wilde - Poison Ivy act
Tiffany Beau posing and stage managing - Sally Jupiter from the Watchmen
Fleur Du Mal - posing as Rogue from the X Men

With our larger than life compere, singer and real live Jessica Rabbit - its Liberty Pink!

Our special guest is body painter extra-ordinaire - John Carey

Our super hero DJ will be spinning Comic Book themed  tracks for your amusement and as you sketch!

And all this only a few feet away from the bar...

Doors open at 3.30pm
Tickets cost £10
Show finishes at 7.00pm

Upstairs ar the Victoria Pub on John Bright Street Birmingham close to the Alexandra Theatre...and opposite the Mail Box.

See you there, you beautiful art monkeys you!

Candee xxx

Many thanks to Steve Pledger for the poster!!! xxx

Birmingham in January is a cold desolate place so we were all very pleased that the Dr Sketchy's gang would be warming us all up with the promise of palm trees, desserts, deserts, camels, fezzes (fez's?, fezzs?) and some general 'Eastern Promise'.

My local life drawing group has been going to these for a while (we all travel from Shrewsbury and it has become some what of an eagerly anticipated event) and after meeting them downstairs in the bar we headed up to the Victoria's penthouse studio (upstairs bar). We were barely halfway up the stairs when we heard the seductive clink clink clink of emancipated slave girl 'Tiffany Beau's' outfit.
'You look amazing,' I asked 'how do you feel?'
'Exposed'.
Pretty much par for the course for a burlesque gig then.

After taking our seats, and being treated to a variety of exotic songs and music from resident DJ J 'Now that's what I call Kebab Shops 27' our evening began as our delightful, delectable and delicious Harem Mistress 'Miss Liberty Pink' took to the stage. She serenaded us a slightly altered version of 'Arabian Nights', welcomed us all, and then took to the stage to pose for us in an amazing red outfit and billowing fans. Liberty is always a delight to draw and tonight was no exception.

After we had put our pencils down we welcomed onto the stage the gorgeous Miss Eliza Delight. A shimmering mirage of gold and white topped with a piece of the most divine head wear ever to grace a burlesque performer. After her act Eliza did two ten minute poses for the group and we all relished capturing her elegance and art deco beauty. Eliza then moved amongst us like an elegant living hood ornament (think Rolls Royce not Mini Metro) and chose her favourite drawing.

Next up Miss Willow Blue. Dressed like the sensuous Cleopatra of old,Willow swirled and danced like a dream. Just as we thought the act couldn't get any better she introduced another girl into the act. A lithe and supple little minx named Scarlet which got us all hot under the collar. She may have been only thirty centimetres long but what a thirty centimetres (she's a snake).

Both the girls posed for us after the act and the addition of a moving element certainly made the drawing more challenging and fun. The snake seemed to inspire all the artists and Miss Willow's favourite definitely had a hydra like quality. Another winner was picked and then it was time to recharge our glasses, have a sneaky peak at each others work and wait for the second half.

Liberty Pink returned to the stage with another fantastic song and helped welcome us back.Liberty is always fantastic and never, never fails to disappoint. After her amazing number she introduced to the stage Miss Scarlet Daggers. Not to be outdone by Scarlet,

Scarlett also moved in a snake-like way, a five foot something, highly charged, go-go dancing, flame eyed, firecracker version of a snake, but snake-like none the less.

Scarlett's act also included my favourite prop ever in a burlesque routine, and quite possibly my favourite prop ever in my life, a massive bejewelled collar that initially lay flat but halfway through popped up to transfer her into an angry (sexy) cobra . So amazing and so well used, this really has kept me amused ever since seeing it. Our artists did a splendid job of capturing it and another winner was chosen.

After the excitement of the angry sexy cobra Liberty returned and introduced the 'exposed' Tiffany Beau onto the stage for our last drawing of the evening. Resplendent in her chiffon Harem pants and still with the seductive chink chink chink Tiff did a splendid job. The artist all enjoyed drawing her and she looked as though she had a great time choosing her favourite drawing and winner.

Finally all the winners chosen by the girls were invited up on stage. Each winner had been given there very own slave girl belt and were encouraged to wear them. In there new outfits all of our winners looked sensual, seductive and erotic particularly the ones with beards. Before leaving the stage each was fed a piece of Turkish delight by Miss Liberty Pink, and then another piece, and then another piece, and another piece, and another...until all were finally allowed to leave the stage slightly stickier (in a good way) than when they arrived.

Liberty bid us all a fond farewell and reminded us that the next event would be on the 31st March and would be a 'Comic Book' spectacular. Excited at the prospect and bouncing from the amazing day we had all had, we left the dessert oasis and returned to the cold Birmingham streets, but everyone who had attended felt a little warmer inside after being blessed by the ray of sunshine that is Dr Sketchy's Birmingham.

Pip (Astro) Bayley Resident artist and blogger for Dr Sketchy's Anti-art School Birmingham

Art kind courtesy of Pip (Astro) Bayley

Photography by Candee at www.candeephotography.co.uk