Art for fun is exactly that. I work / draw using a combination of fineliners and alcohol based Winsor and Newton ProMarkers for all my paper based art. These tools are easily used by most ages, since 2021 the age range I have welcomed to draw ranges from 11 weeks (!) to 5231 weeks (100 years 7 months!).
If you visit the studio on my standard opening days throughout the year this activity is always available and there is now a minimum donation of £0.50 per person for the activity. This has become necessary since February 2025 for the replacement of materials. I supply 1 (or 2) A6 sheets of 300gsm watercolour paper. I also provide my ProMarker range to be used, the markers are organised in colour based folders.
This is not a class, ideas and techniques hints may be shared. Its primary purpose is to encourage anyone to have a go at drawing. There is no judgement made about what is produced. Perfection is not encouraged and if a ‘mistake’ is made the idea is to continue with the piece.
I ask to take a photo of the completed piece, which I share that day on the studio Instagram account (@AndyKnillArtStudio) and it can then be taken away by the person who drew it.
In the first 53 months ( January 2026) of residency at 21 Commercial Road over 5100 individual drawing sessions have been enjoyed. Some visitors have been many times, others just once, in 2024 there was a clear rise in repeat visits from holidaymakers returning for their annual holidays and it is often the child(ren) in a family that requests this of their parents.
Some local parents have told me that they consider the art for fun table as a community resource which makes me very happy as there is always a lot of chat while the drawing takes place. In the summer months we draw outside the shop and that includes me developing new pieces at the same time.
I hope to gradually add some examples of Art for Fun – all images were completed at AndyKnillArt Studio, Swanage between September 2021 and now.
