<p dir="ltr"><strong>This month Plymouth College of Art celebrates drawing in all its forms with the beginning of a new Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking course that puts drawing at the heart of the programme. We are also celebrating The Big Draw this Saturday with lots of activities and events for those who love to draw, and those who think they can’t.</strong><br /></p> <p dir="ltr">We rarely think about the great classics of literature, especially children’s literature, without conjuring up the drawings and illustrations that bring them to life. Harmsen van de Beek’s illustrations remind us of Enid Blyton’s Famous 5. And, as Rowan Pelling asks in a profile for The Telegraph, which other living person has had such a seismic impact on the collective visual imagination of Great Britain than Quentin Blake, whose long collaboration with Roald Dahl brought him worldwide acclaim for his drawings?<br /></p> <p>This year’s Big Draw runs from 1 October to 3 November in fifteen countries, with more than 200,000 people expected to take part. Hundreds of new and enjoyable drawing activities are expected to connect people of all ages with museums, outdoor spaces, artists - and each other.</p> <p>The Big Draw encourages wide-scale public participation in creative activities, engaging people of all ages with collections in museums and galleries, heritage environments and community-based drawing activities.</p> <p dir="ltr">This Saturday, artist Tessa James will be running a series of workshops in collaboration with Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking students in the new build studio.</p> <p dir="ltr">The workshops aim to challenge perceptions of drawing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Through the exploration of formal elements, the senses and other people’s work, Tessa hopes that through discussion, debate and taking part, people will open themselves up to new perspectives of what drawing is and can be.</p> <p dir="ltr">Joining Tessa and our students are illustrator Clare Law, and fine artist Tessa Sulston, from the regional collective Drawn to the Valley. Clare and Tessa will be leading talks and discussions throughout the day.</p> <p dir="ltr">Our Big Draw event coincides with our first open day of the term and prospective students, family and friends are encouraged to join in before, during and after a tour of the college.</p> <p>More info:</p> <p dir="ltr">If you would like to find out what Plymouth College of Art is all about, come to our next Open Day Saturday 5 October: <a href="https://cms.plymouthart.ac.uk/admin/entries/posts/artadvantage.php?pageID=117#.Uk2VImSgnZY">http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/artadvantage.php?pageID=117#.Uk2VImSgnZY</a></p> <p>The event at Plymouth College of Art coincides with Big Draw Events happening all over the city, including Plymouth Arts Centre, Plymouth City Museum &amp; Art Gallery and the National Marine Aquarium. Find out more here: <a href="http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw/search.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw/search.aspx</a></p>