Burlesque & Bubbles - Dr. Sketchy Does Commedia Dell'Arte

I love the trend of drinking and drawing. Dr. Sketchys has been a New York, now International institution of combining fine art, raunchy burlesque and music set in a bar. I haven't been to a session since 2010 .

Founder Molly Crabapple has since gone on to publish multiple books, become a highly sought-after artist and star journalist for Vice. She passed the reins to very capable personalities to host yesterday's event at Midtown's Flute Champagne bar. The two-drink minimum of creative champagne cocktails can surely get you in a baudy mood.

Falana Fox & Viktor Devonne

The Commedia Dell'Arte theme of last night refers to the classic Italian theater style that heavily relies on common tropes. Pierrot is the traditional lovelorn male constantly wooing Columbina. He is a romantic figure, though often portrayed as a fool. From theater group to theater group, the plays may be different, but the characters stay the same.

While there is no actual instruction in the "class", the timed poses are similar in structure as many life drawing classes. You start with 1-minute gestures, then 2-minute poses, increasing to 5-minute drawings with one 20-minute pose. There are contests to win prizes from sponsors. Tonight they included sketchbooks and designer bow-ties. In the past they could include spa products, sex toys or shots of liquor.

The models were female and male burlesque performers Falana Fox and Viktor Devonne. Both of them were game for any pose or state of deshabillement for the sake of good art. 

I love getting my sketching practice at Dr. Sketchy from a fashion lens because the models are sexy, but come in all shapes and sizes (rather than the same tall/thin models of fashion sketch classes). As Hubby pointed out, burlesque is all about the accessories. When you're down to the pasties, it's all about the bling and feathers. The performers sell those tiny little fashion accessories that much harder. The sassy expressions are much more fun to draw than a bored "model" look. 

Without the competition of a class, or grades, you can just hang out and have fun. A strong drink next to you with a DJ and models in lingerie or less, it can be a wild night out. At the end of Dr. Sketchy's, you have a book full of sexy drawings. Doesn't that sound fun? Whatever city you live in, there is probably a Dr. Sketchy's near you. Check out the website for their schedules. 
Sketches by Mariana Leung

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Dr. Sketchy - Drawing Dior's New Look

I took a break from myself to indulge in an evening of drinking and drawing at Dr Sketchy. The theme of the day was Dior's New Look. You could call it an art club. You can check out previous sessions of mine. These days, the meetups are hosted by champagne lounge Flute Midtown.

Themes often involve all manner of geekery like comic-book characters, Green fairies and sci-fi perversions performed by saucy burlesque dancers. Sunday was a tribute to post WW2 fashion. A big fashion history fan Mademoiselle Quaintrelle posed in her cherished collection of vintage Christian Dior suits, full skirted dresses and retro-styled skivvies. (Great tip from Ms Quaintrelle, you can buy vintage styles spiral stitched, bullet bras from the website What Katie Did).

Dior's New Look was a celebration of the end of fabric rationing and restraint. The signature silhouette was an exaggerated hourglass shape. Tiny waists from starving through the war were highlighted in the sculpted jackets. Big skirts with yards and yards of fabric defined much of late 1940's and 1950's fashion trends.

With a two-drink minimum, you give into Flute Midtown's menu of champagne, cocktails and nibbles to accompany them. I can't say my arm was twisted too hard. Even more fortunate that the gentleman sitting on the next couch over, ordered a bottle of bubbly for himself and found he could not finish it. I was the lucky person he shared it with. Thank you, Dude.

My goal when I attend a Dr Sketchy session is to try to win back my admission fee in the form of liquor or prizes in one of their contests. Sometimes they are sexy and silly, but this time it was to make your drawing into a tribute Vogue Magazine cover. As you can see above, I loved the old-school covers when they used a script font. My mutual fashion history nerdiness with the model won me that round so I can return to future sessions for free. I drew the iconic Dior Bar Suit, a look Ms Quaintrelle was obsessed with and also owns.

Anyone who loves style should try fashion sketching. If you can't commit to a class, Dr Sketchy is the perfect antidote. How can you resist champagne, DJ curated playlist and sexy models in various states of undress? It is the perfect outing!

Photos and sketches by Mariana Leung

Also on Ms FABulous:

Fashion and Food Diary of 1994

Spring 2017 Fashion Designer Sketches 

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Burlesque and Booze at Dr. Sketchy's

Q: So what does a former art-school party girl do during the daytime on weekends?

A: Drink and draw dirty pictures at famed burlesque club Slipper Room on the Lower East Side at for Dr. Sketchy's.

Illustrator Molly Crabapple and writer John Leavitt hosted a debauched anti-art school drawing session with costumed characters, fully stocked bar and morally disturbing contests. This particular session was modeled by rock band Bambi Killers in a bloody homage (with props!) to the movie Grindhouse.

Molly is holding a drawing of Ms. F’s for a contest for the most gratuitous sex and violence in a sketch. For my particular illustration, I created an interpretive tribute to the infamous Elizabeth Bathory. For the lower brow, it was an illustration of naked lesbians in fishnets, heels and severed heads. This was as much gratuitous sex and violence as I could come up with under the influence of Sugar Sweet Sunshine cupcakes and my second cocktail. (Who knew gin paired so nicely with buttercream?)

Unfortunately, yours truly did not win. The winning drawing was a sketch pad with some scribbles and the word “COCK” written in large bold letter across the page. For this crowd, the direct approach clearly has the most appeal. Lesson learned.

At least my art did elicit some nice compliments that afternoon… Some younger, male art students said very kind things. One older gentleman (who did not appear to be in attendance to draw…or do anything productive) came over to tell me he “Reeaaally reeaally liked my artwork and style,” with the demeanor of a wolf drooling over a sleeping rabbit.

It is the highest form of flattery for an artist to know that your work has the power to move someone.

Am I being too picky if I am creeped out about which actual part of the person it moves?

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