So tonight I dusted off my sketchbook and joined the fun at the Mercury Lounge for this month’s installment of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, a contemporary take on life drawing without much nudity but with naughty themes and funky costumes. (Some of my more successful sketches are posted here.)

Mercury Lounge staffers Sara Ainslie, Jennilee Murray and Ricky Alvarez were the models this time, having fun with a Carnal Equinox theme in spacey golden garb and elaborate masks and props made by the crafty Alvarez.

A healthy cross-section of sketchers were on hand, none looking like the over-serious art school type and many showing considerable talent.

Arriving a wee bit late, I picked up my conté stick and tried to let loose. I was quite proficient as a draftsman in my younger years, you see. After several fumbled drawings, I seemed to warm up and overall the results were kinda sorta good.

Hosted by Sharon VanStarkenburg, Dr, Sketchy events are serious enough to be taken seriously but not so serious as to be taken too seriously. In other words, the experience was good. Everybody was relaxed and had fun.

According to the official Facebook page, “Dr. Sketchy's is what happens when cabaret meets art school. Bring pencil and pad and we'll bring you the most beautiful, extraordinary and outrageous models for your sketching delight.”

Along with poses of varying lengths, the event includes games and drawing contests where you can win booze and other prizes. Nothing sketchy about that, folks.

Tony