Charcoal Workshop for The Big Draw with artist Liz Atkin
Saturday 26 October
11am-1pm
Bethlem Gallery
Join artist Liz Atkin, who is an ambassador for The Big Draw, to explore charcoal techniques and processes exploring texture, mark making and movement. In this workshop for the Big Draw festival, you will have the opportunity to create seascapes from small to large scale, and together we will create a large collaborative drawing inspired by the textures of the shoreline.
Liz Atkin’s work is deeply interconnected with the physical nature of her life-long experience of Compulsive Skin Picking, also known as Dermatillomania, one of a group of Body-focused Repetitive Behaviours. Liz describes its ‘constant energy – there is a real rhythm to it in my body’. Drawing with charcoal is her way to refocus this energy through the speed and control of her hands and fingertips across the page. For Liz, charcoal possesses a texturally therapeutic quality, a soothing antidote to skin picking’s deeply tactile character. Since moving to Whitstable in 2021, she has been captivated by the coastline, from sea swimming and walking along the shore, to avidly drawing the tidal textures. Her Whitstable in Charcoal series of small and large scale drawings channels her obsession with capturing the sea.
About Bethlem Gallery events
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions are available for SLaM service users, people over 60, students, people receiving ESA, people registered disabled and their carers. We take photos at our workshops to use on social media – please speak to the facilitator if you do not want to appear in any photos.
If you are unable to attend the workshop, please contact us to cancel your place. We often have a waiting list.