FAQ

What is Dr. Sketchy’s?

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is the world’s premier alt.drawing movement, where artists draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality. It was started in Brooklyn by Molly Crabapple, who envisioned an event that would put the “life” back into “life drawing”, with fair pay and excellent treatment of the models and boozy fun for all. It quickly spread across the globe to other cities, and now there are branches in over 100 cities—including our very own Charm City branch, which was established by Alexis de la Rosa and Aaron Bush in 2008. Grab you sketch materials and join us twice a month to draw uniquely beautiful models. No instructors looming over your shoulder here–instead, you can win drinks and other prizes in contests such as “best incorporation of a woodland animal”. Absolutely no drawing experience is necessary to get in on the fun—you just need to be 18 or older.

How is Dr. Sketchy’s different from a normal life drawing class?

In normal life classes, silent students sit in a silent room and draw a bored, oft-uninteresting model. In Dr. Sketchy’s, we’ve got scandalous performers as models. We’ve got ridiculous art contests, flashy prizes and a selection of posh beverages- alcoholic and not- available for purchase.

At Dr. Sketchy’s, we don’t care if you picked up a pad yesterday or 50 years ago. Come to drink or to draw. We’re happy to have you.

Will it cost me anything?

$12 in cash at the door, $10 if you buy online by midnight the night before (sorry, no refunds).

How often does Dr. Sketchy’s take place?

Monthly, on the second Monday of each month at the Windup Space. We occasionally, but rarely, take a month off.

For updates, follow us on Facebook (make sure to turn on notifications for our page if you don’t want to miss our sporadic posts) and Instagram. Or if you avoid social media and their tricky algorithms, join our email list—we’re too busy to send email more than once or twice a month, so don’t worry about us spamming you.

What media can I use?

All dry media are okay as are watercolors.  Paints and other messy and/or stinky materials are not okay.  Please don’t cause a mess.  Everything you spill or stain, we have to stay after and clean up.

Will the model be naked?

Nope, can’t get the bar shut down.  It will definitely offend your grandmother, though.

I’m a photographer. Can I shoot pictures of your hottie models?

While we love photography, we’ve found the needs of photographers can be antithetical to those of artists- and a flash is downright distracting. We also think that models should get paid more posing for photography and we don’t have the dough. If you’re press, of course you can take photos as long as you contact us at drsketchysbaltimore (at) gmail.com, ideally with at least 24 hours notice so that we can give the model notice.

If you take photos without permission, you will be kicked out, with no refund.  Models are not zoo animals.

When did the Baltimore branch of Dr. Sketchy’s start?

Our very first session was on June 8, 2008, upstairs at Dionysus Restaurant and Lounge, on probably the hottest Sunday afternoon of that summer.

Can I model for Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore?

Possibly. Read this.

I’m only 18. Will the Windup Space kick me out on the street?

Nope, but even think about alcohol while there and they will.

Does it get crowded? Should I show up early?

Yes.  YES.  The Windup Space can only hold so many people before people start screaming and biting each other.  Show up 15 minutes before, and you should be fine.  Show up 15 minutes late?  Well, you’ve been warned….

Can I use my coat, art supplies, and book bag to take up as many chairs as possible so no one will sit next to me?

No.  Don’t be “that guy.”

Is there food?

Nope, but you can bring food or order it in.  Folks regularly pick up something at Joe Squared just down the block.

Can I bring in outside food?

Yep.

Is there alcohol?

Oh come on, if you’re not even going to try and keep up…

I’m a socially maladept comic geek who lives in my parents basement. Can I come to Dr. Sketchy’s and pick up girls?

No.  No you can’t.

I have entitlement issues and want to take them out on the model or the Dr. Sketchy’s staff. Can I yell, be rude or cause a scene?

No.  Rudeness to any member of the Dr. Sketchy’s crew, or anyone else for that matter, will lead to immediate expulsion, without refund. We suggest you adopt a nicer attitude towards service people.

Oh, okay.  I can yell at the Windup staff though, right?

Nope, nope, nope.

How many models are there at a single session?

GENERALLY, only one per session. There will occasionally be exceptions.

Do you ever have male models?

Yes! We just seem to have trouble finding local male performers interested in modeling. If you know of any, send them here.

Dr. Sketchy’s sounds cool. I own a small business and want to sponsor you. Tell me some details.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!  We’re always looking for sponsors. Donations of cash, prizes, or printing will get you a logo on our flyers, prominent placement on our website, on-stage shoutouts, and eternal love. Email drsketchysbaltimore(at) gmail.com and find out more about how sponsoring us can help spread the word about your business.