Next on Zoom we will be virtually visiting beautiful birds of prey, for more drawing and learning online. We’ll have a live zoom link set up with no less than four magnificent birds – a young pair of Harris Hawks that hatched this year, the prettiest Lanner Falcon named Maggie and another surprise bird! The team at Sky Birds of Prey will be full of facts and there will be plenty of drawing tips to help you get started.

The class will begin with an introduction from WLD founder and artist Jennie Webber, who will take you through the basics of drawing animals from life. There will be a drawing demonstration of the shapes, proportions and anatomical features to identify – before we go live to the birds themselves! We will then switch screens to be introduced to our feathered friends with fun facts and conservation information from the experts at Sky Birds. We’ll spend just over 1 hour drawing, focussing on each bird for around 25 minutes.

The basic materials you need to take part are paper, a pencil, eraser and sharpener, but of course you are more than welcome to work in whatever materials you enjoy or have to hand. Please get in touch if you need advice on materials, we’re happy to help! You will be emailed the Zoom link to join and some reference images 24 hour before the event is due to start.

This week will be all about Penguins, due to popular request! We’ll be taking a look at the different forms of these charismatic birds in water and on land. As penguins are social animals, we will be drawing multiple birds and creating relationships between them and a narrative on the page. I’ll be working in fineliner pen and adding some splashes of colour with coloured pencils, and will of course have some super cute penguin facts for you all. As always, this will be a step-by-step drawing tutorial from reference images that you can follow along with live, so all ages and abilities are very welcome!

To take part you’ll need to download the Reference Image Pack – available here and on the Instagram profile a week prior to the class taking place. More information will be released closer to the time regarding materials. If you don’t have exactly the same kit, don’t worry – you can draw along in whatever materials you have to hand.

These Instagram Lives will always be free to join, but if you enjoy the classes and are in a position to contribute a small donation that that would be wholeheartedly appreciated and go towards keeping WLD up and running, and supporting some of the farms and animal handlers that we work with. Of course there are lots of people and organisations that need supporting right now, so please don’t feel like you have to contribute anything to join in, the most important thing is that we all draw together.

Our much loved Wolf pack will be joining us via Zoom for some online drawing, learning and perhaps a little howling. We’ll have a live zoom link set up with Natalie and some of her magnificent wolf-dogs from Watermill Wolves HQ in West Sussex, where we’ll be able to sketch them relaxing as well as seeing them perform some of their best tricks. Natalie will be telling us all about wolves and their conservation around the world, and there will be lots of opportunity to ask questions.

The class will begin with an introduction from WLD founder and artist Jennie Webber, who will take you through the basics of drawing animals from life. There will be a drawing demonstration of the shapes, proportions and anatomical features to identify – before we go live to the wolves themselves! We will then switch screens to be introduced to our furry friends with fun facts and conservation information. We’ll spend just over one hour drawing the wolf pack from different perspectives and distances.

The basic materials you need to take part are paper, a pencil, eraser and sharpener, but of course you are more than welcome to work in whatever materials you enjoy or have to hand. Please get in touch if you need advice on materials, we’re happy to help! You will be emailed the Zoom link to join and some reference images 24 hour before the event is due to start.

To mark World Animal Day we will be focussing our attention on rescue animals or cruelty cases that have gone onto thrive after being re-homed and cared for properly. We will meet and draw a variety of animals that have been rescued and now live happy and healthy lives; Jim and Jemima the Prairie Dog couple (re-homed from an owner that had done no research and was not able to give the proper care), Simon the Blue-Tongued Skink (rescued from a owner who was force breeding), Shelley the Tortoise (re-homed from a sanctuary, she has a deformed shell from improper care), Dave the Degu (was being bullied by other Degu’s in a pet shop and now lives within a lovely social group.) We will also be drawing Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, and will focus especially on responsible pet ownership with these species as well as busting some myths about the best and most ethical ways to keep our small furry friends.

We will learn more about the individual stories of these animals, and discuss the dangers facing animals in the pet industry and how we can help. 10% of each ticket sold will be donated to South Essex Wildlife Hospital – a rescue, rehabilitation and public advice charity that takes in sick, injured and orphaned animals from the areas around East London, North Kent and South Essex. No animal is turned away and the hospital often houses 200-300 animals at any one time. They function entirely on donations and volunteers, and our contribution will make a difference.

Wild Life Drawing is working with the finest animal handlers, sanctuaries and organisations to put on these events. All the animals that attend the sessions are comfortable and happy in different environments and around people, their welfare is our highest priority. These animals will be attending with two highly experienced animal handlers that not only care for these animals but also re-home other unwanted exotic pets or rescue animals. These animals will be in specially designed runs, with plenty of enrichment activities and hidden treats to keep them occupied and happy for the time they are with us. All animals go through a ‘Heath and Happiness’ test before attending any external events, and are rewarded with their favourite foods.

10% of the ticket price will be donated to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

To mark World Animal Day we will be focussing our attention on rescue animals or cruelty cases that have gone onto thrive after being re-homed and cared for properly. We will meet and draw a variety of animals that have been rescued and now live happy and healthy lives; Jim and Jemima the Prairie Dog couple (re-homed from an owner that had done no research and was not able to give the proper care), Simon the Blue-Tongued Skink (rescued from a owner who was force breeding), Shelley the Tortoise (re-homed from a sanctuary, she has a deformed shell from improper care), Dave the Degu (was being bullied by other Degu’s in a pet shop and now lives within a lovely social group.) We will also be drawing Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, and will focus especially on responsible pet ownership with these species as well as busting some myths about the best and most ethical ways to keep our small furry friends.

We will learn more about the individual stories of these animals, and discuss the dangers facing animals in the pet industry and how we can help. 10% of each ticket sold will be donated to South Essex Wildlife Hospital – a rescue, rehabilitation and public advice charity that takes in sick, injured and orphaned animals from the areas around East London, North Kent and South Essex. No animal is turned away and the hospital often houses 200-300 animals at any one time. They function entirely on donations and volunteers, and our contribution will make a difference.

Wild Life Drawing is working with the finest animal handlers, sanctuaries and organisations to put on these events. All the animals that attend the sessions are comfortable and happy in different environments and around people, their welfare is our highest priority. These animals will be attending with two highly experienced animal handlers that not only care for these animals but also re-home other unwanted exotic pets or rescue animals. These animals will be in specially designed runs, with plenty of enrichment activities and hidden treats to keep them occupied and happy for the time they are with us. All animals go through a ‘Heath and Happiness’ test before attending any external events, and are rewarded with their favourite foods.

10% of the ticket price will be donated to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

Excited to be back at the beautiful Wetlands with British Birds this Autumn, where we will be sketching Kestrels, Barn Owls and Titch the Little Owl. All species are indigenous to the UK, and as well as drawing we will be learning about where to spot these birds in their native habitats and any conservation issues affecting them. We will be introduced to these fine feathers with a detailed talk from our experienced falconer and learn about their anatomy, habitat adaptions and how they’ve evolved to be expert aerial hunters. All these birds are truly charismatic and I guarantee you’ll go away with not only some great drawings, but a new found respect and admiration for these beautiful birds of prey.

The drawing class is open to all, from beginners to advanced. All drawing materials are supplied, including paper and drawing boards, but please feel free to bring colours or any other specific media you might like to use. Drawing tips and guidance will be provided throughout the session. The aim of these drawing classes is to inspire a sense of appreciation and understanding for the animals and their conservation in the wider world.

Wild Life Drawing is working with the finest animal handlers, sanctuaries and organisations to put on these events. All the animals that attend the sessions are well used to humans and different environments and are always accompanied by experienced handlers, their welfare is our highest priority. The falconer that keeps these birds is a trusted and experienced animal handler that works with the RSPCA and local wildlife groups to rescue, rehabilitate and re-release wild birds of prey around the South of England.

A percentage of the ticket price will be donated to Wathamstow Wetlands.

As the nights draw in, we will focus our next drawing class on Nocturnal Animals – meeting and drawing species that are designed for the dark, including skunks, pygmy hedgehogs, sugar gliders, Gambian pouched rats, opossums and more! Each of these animals has evolved super senses, either acute hearing, a sensitive nose or big eyes to let in what little light there is. We will hear about the amazing nighttime habits these animals have developed, as well as learning about their diet, habitat and any conservation issues affecting these animals.

10% of each ticket sold will be donated to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital – a rescue, rehabilitation and public advice charity that takes in sick, injured and orphaned animals from the areas around East London, North Kent and South Essex. No animal is turned away and the hospital often houses 200-300 animals at any one time. They function entirely on donations and volunteers, and our contribution will make a difference.

Wild Life Drawing is working with the finest animal handlers, sanctuaries and organisations to put on these events. All the animals that attend the sessions are well used to humans and comfortable in different environments, their welfare is our highest priority. These animals will be attending with two highly experienced animal handlers that not only care for these animals but also re-home other unwanted exotic pets or rescue animals. These animals will be in specially designed runs, with plenty of enrichment activities and hidden treats to keep them occupied and happy for the time they are with us, whilst mirroring their natural behavior. All animals go through a ‘Heath and Happiness’ test before attending any external events, and are rewarded with their favourite foods. And please don’t worry – all these animals are happy in the daytime too.

10% of the ticket price will be donated to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

We’re finally back at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium with a rescheduled class to explore their incredible Rainforest area. With a focus on the Amazonian waterways and dense jungles, we will be able to get up close and personal with dwarf crocodiles, snapping turtles, red-bellied piranhas, hissing cockroaches and leaf cutter ants, giraffe nosed cat fish, sleek arowana fish and terrapins that like to balance on top of each other!

The class will start with an introduction to rainforest habitats and we will discuss the conservation issues affecting them; including deforestation due to logging and agriculture, commercial fishing, bio-piracy and poaching. Attendees will be able to head off to explore with their drawing boards, and helpful hints and guidance will be on hand from workshop leader, illustrator Jennie Webber.

The aquarium works closely with it’s partner charity, the SEA LIFE Trust, to protect marine wildlife and habitats across the world and to communicate key conservation message to it’s visitors. It is also involved in several breeding conservation programs and works with many organisations including Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Save Our Seas, and The Shark Trust to increase the protection of marine reserves around the world. The charity have most recently set up a Beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland, providing a natural home for cetaceans rescued from aquariums and parks.

50% of each ticket sold will be donated to the SEA LIFE Trust.