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The Big Draw

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The Big Draw

The Big Draw is a visual literacy charity that promotes the universal language of drawing. Get involved...

Find out more at www.thebigdraw.org

Founded in 2000, The Big Draw is a visual literacy charity that promotes the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention. The charity leads a diverse programme of advocacy, empowerment and engagement, and is the founder and driving force behind The Big Draw Festival – the world’s biggest celebration of drawing. Every year, the Festival encourage thousands of creatives across the globe to come together to pick up a pencil, grab a paintbrush, make a collage, create an animation - anything you like - because we want to get everyone drawing!

10/10/2026

“That’s not a drawing!” 🤨

Given that we talk a LOT about drawing, it’s perhaps understandable that people sometimes question why we run events that don’t always use traditional drawing materials or techniques.

But here’s the thing (and sorry if it’s controversial!) when we say drawing, we mean it in its absolute broadest sense. We love drawing with pens and pencils, but we also love drawing with brushes, scissors, tape, thread... the list goes on!!

The Big Draw Festival is a worldwide celebration of drawing and mark-making, and our Big Draw Organisers run a huge range of events, many exploring traditional drawing methods, and others exploring more experimental approaches.

Swipe to see some of the fab Big Draw events coming up! Comment ‘EVENTS’ to find out what’s happening near you 💖

Events mentioned:
Open College of the Arts | OCA free online workshops throughout October
Stockton Brook Water Works free Big Draw weekend on 17th & 18th
Monk’s House NT drawing activities in the garden throughout October
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum ‘Make Marks to Music’ event on 13th
The Box, Plymouth ‘Imagine the Future’ event throughout half term
Craven Arts bold, expressive mark-making on Saturday 17th
The Drawing Shop 🫟 drop-in mark-making throughout October

Comment ‘EVENTS’ for more details 🥰

Photo credits:
1-8 & 17: Brandon Few

05/10/2026

What a weekend! 💖 thank you all SO much for coming along to ‘Make a Mark’ with us at Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration for the launch of The Big Draw Festival 2026 🫶🏼

It takes a village to pull off an event like this, and what a village! We were lucky to work with so many wonderful individuals and organisations on this launch. A few shout-outs…

Firstly, a great big thank you to the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust, whose generous support made this launch event possible. 👏

We’re also hugely grateful to our material sponsors, Jackson's Art Supplies, who provided such stellar materials for all of the activities on the day 💗

Thank you to the team at Thames & Hudson Children’s who sponsored our ‘Play with Colour’ activity with Marion Deuchars in Deeney’s Cafe, which was such a hit with you all!

Thank you to the brilliant and inspiring artists and facilitators who led such an exciting array of activities on Saturday, including Alex Bowie, Chioma Ince, pita, Chloe Inkpen, Marion Deuchars, Joey Yu, and Gary Andrews 🥰 thank you also to our incredible speakers on Friday night’s creative panel: Greg Bunbury, Joey Yu, MURUGIAH 🧡 and Ben Tallon

And finally, thank you to Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration for hosting us, and the fantastic team of staff and volunteers who helped to keep everything running so smoothly. It was such a pleasure to plan and deliver this event with you all 💛

The fun doesn’t stop here! The Big Draw Festival runs throughout October, with events happening all across the UK and beyond. Comment ‘EVENTS’ to see what might be happening near you 🙌

📸 Photo credit: Brandon Few

02/10/2026

Did someone say free badge-making?! Just when you thought our ‘Make a Mark’ event at Quentin Blake Centre couldn’t get any better 💖

We’re so excited for the launch of this year’s Big Draw Festival at Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration on Saturday 3rd October! Among the brilliant creatives joining us on the day, we’re delighted to be joined by Pita Santos pita 🥰

Pita’s multidisciplinary practice blends analogue and digital methods to create vibrant, identity driven work. They’ll be joining us between 1-3:30pm for a fun, free, drop-in badge making session. Everyone is welcome to come along, make a mark… and make a badge!!

🗓️ Saturday 3rd October
📍 Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, London
⏰ badge-making between 1-3:30 (other activities taking place from 11am-4pm)

Comment ‘DETAILS’ to find out more and let us know you’re coming!

01/10/2026

Come and draw with scissors (and more!) at Quentin Blake Centre this Saturday 🙌 comment ‘DETAILS’ to find out more

We’re very excited to be joined by an incredible team of artists on the day, including Scottish visual artist Alex Bowie Alex Bowie for her ‘Leave Your Mark’ drop-in workshop as part of the launch of The Big Draw Festival at Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration this Saturday 3rd October 💖 add to a growing collaborative artwork in the studio garden and try your hand at drawing with scissors ✂️

We’ve got a brilliant programme of creative activities happening between 11am-4pm, so pop on down and get stuck in!

🗓️ Saturday 3rd October, 11am-4pm
📍 Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, London
🎟️ Free drop-in workshop

Photo credits:
5 & 6: Ellie Kurttz

30/09/2026

We can’t wait for this! Come along to Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration this Saturday for our free, drop-in workshop with Marion Deuchars and Thames & Hudson Children’s as part of the launch of this year’s Big Draw Festival 💖

Get involved with lots of playful, hands-on activities inspired by Marion Deuchars’ new book ‘Play with Colour’ 🎨 sketch at the tables, make marks on a huge canvas on the floor, or try your hand at drawing with tape on the windows!

Marion will also be doing book signings between 12-12:30pm and 2-2:30pm 🙌

🗓️ Saturday 3rd October 2026
📍Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
🖍️ Free, drop-in anytime between 11am-4pm
📚 Book signings 12-12:30pm and 2-2:30pm

Comment ‘DETAILS’ to find out more!

This event is part of a wider programme of creative activity happening at Quentin Blake Centre on Saturday as part of the launch of this year’s Big Draw Festival 🥰

29/09/2026

Come along to our creative panel discussion this Friday evening at Quentin Blake Centre to hear more about making your mark! Comment ‘TICKET’ to book your spot 💖

We’ll be joined by a fantastic panel of artists and illustrators: Greg Bunbury, Joey Yu MURUGIAH 🧡, and Ben Tallon 🥰 over the course of the evening, the panel will share their experiences, reflecting on the role artists and cultural practitioners can play in influencing conversations and creating positive change. There will also be a chance for audience Q&A!

🗓️ Friday 2nd October, 6-8pm
📍 Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, London
🎟️ From £5 - few spaces remaining!

Whether you’re an artist, educator, student or simply curious about the role of creativity in society, this is an opportunity to hear from creative voices and ask questions! We can’t wait to see you there 🥳

Comment ‘TICKET’ to book 🫶🏼

28/09/2026

🎨 Something BIG is being drawn across AEG!
We’re proud to introduce The Big Draw, a new extra co-curricular program now available across AEG schools!
From creative challenges to imaginative ideas, The Big Draw charity promotes the universal language of drawing. It is a chance for students to explore their creativity, express themselves, and most importantly, have fun creating! ✏️✨
Watch the highlights and see what happens when our students put their imagination on paper.

27/09/2026

The Big Draw Festival is just around the corner! Comment ‘EVENTS’ to see what events are happening near you 💖

Anyone can run a Big Draw event, and it’s not too late to register! Head to our website to find out all about being part of the worlds biggest drawing festival, or comment ‘Sign Up’ and we’ll send you the link 🫶🏼

Address

The Big Draw HQ, Studio 36, Riverside Building, 55 Trinity Buoy Wharf, Orchard Place London
London
E140FN

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442037584118

Website

https://linktr.ee/thebigdraw/

Alerts

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