How to Start your Own Dr. Sketchy's
By
Molly Crabapple

I've been getting a lot of emails lately telling me the same thing.   Dr. Sketchy's is a great idea.   Unfortuantely, the writer lives in Virginia, or Salt Lake City, and there's nothing even vaguely Sketchy to be had.   Well, I've got an answer.

Start your own Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School.

If you like the Dr. Sketchy's mix of booze, contests and performer/models, it's easy to start your own.   In fact, I'll tell you how.   Good life drawing is a boon for humanity.

Disclaimer
Molly Crabapple and A.V. Phibes have no legal responsability for any idiocy, tomfoolery or creepiness that results from using these guidlines. If you want to make a Dr. Sketchy's session, it's up to you. If you louse it up, it's your fault, not ours.

First, the Rules.  

  1. Email me first!   That's mollycrabapple@gmail.com
  1. Treat your models well.   Ravishing, interesting models are the foundation on which good art classes are built.   So show your models respect.   Pay them a good wage (at least 20 dollars an hour   in big cities, a bit less in smaller ones).   Encourage the artists to tip.   Bring them pillows and space heaters.   Remember, models are the Dr. Sketchy stars.
  1. Don't hit on models, creep out artists, or act like a jerk
  1. Make a webpage- even if it's just a myspace page.   I want to link to you guys and keep track of you.   Link back to Drsketchy.com.   And distinguish yourself from our   session by calling yourself Dr Sketchy's-Atlanta, or Dr. Sketchy's-Timbuktoo.  
  1. If you ever get into the press, pretty please mention us.

Okay, now here's how to do it.

Step One:   Find a venue.   You want a place with a bit of seating, preferably one that serves coffee and booze.    Many cafes and bars are a bit slow during the day on weekends, and would be happy to have the extra people buying drinks.   If you can't get a café or bar, you can try galleries, or even a friend's big living room.

Step Two:   Book a model.    I prefer models that have interesting careers.   Burlesque girls, mimes, roller derby girls, bodybuilders and sideshow freaks are all great choices.   Dancers of any genre make fantastic models.   Let the model know she can go wild with her costume

Step Three: Find sponsors for your contests.   Dr. Sketchy's is all about cool contests.   Whether the contest is best left handed drawing or best incorporation of a squirrel, artists compete to win prizes.   To get free booty for your sketch class, try approaching local art stores, new restaurants, or crafty, indie businesses.   Let them know that in exchange for a small donation they can get free banner advertising on your site and their logo on Dr. Sketchy's is all about cool contests.   Whether the contest is best left handed drawing or best incorporation of a squirrel, artists compete to win prizes.   To get free booty for your sketch class, try approaching local art stores, new restaurants, or crafty, indie businesses.   Let them know that in exchange for a small donation they can get free banner advertising on your site and their logo on our flier.  

Can't find sponsors?   Make or buy cool stuff yourself!   And remember, everyone loves competing for a shot of liquor.

Step Four:   Make a budget. Figure out how much you're spending on models, prizes and promotion. Divide that by how many people you think will come.   That's your door price.   Try not to go over 10 bucks though

Step Five:   Make fliers.   Vistaprint.com makes affordable fliers that look classier than anything you'd get at Kinkos.    Put them up on art school campuses, bookstores, coffee shops, and anywhere else potential sketchers might hang out.

Step Six:   Plan the session.   Typically, a life model poses for three hours, twenty minutes at a time, with five minute breaks in between and a twenty minute break in the middle.   At our Dr Sketchy's we do:

10 1 minute poses.   5 2 minute poses
break
4 5 minute poses
break
2 10 minute poses
break
20 minute pose
20 minute break
3 20 minute poses with breaks in between.

During the breaks, we announce contests and give prizes.

Step Seven:   Draw!

I'm really excited by how much enthusiasm Dr. Sketchy's has been stirring up.   Good luck on all your Sketchy endeavors.   And if you need more advice on starting a Dr. Sketchy's session- email me.

 

 
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