October is Big Draw month and the Campaign for Drawing has a wide range of events and activities across the country to try and capture the imagination of potential artists.

Nant y Coy Arts has embraced the month of drawing, hosting a number of events throughout October, ranging from children’s activities to those for people who have never picked up a pencil in their lives.

The historic watermill and nature trails around Treffgarne Gorge, have a great reputation for the arts. Exhibitions held regularly at the venue attract artists from all over Britain.

During the last three years, Nant y Coy has played a large role in the celebration of the Big Draw in Pembrokeshire and this year is no exception.

As well as an exhibition in the main gallery — featuring artists Liz Calthorpe, Margaretha Shepard and Steve Wilson until October 28th — the comfortable surroundings of the Riverbend Cafe will be alive with the noise of scratching pens as visitors take part in Face It.

Face It is a chance for people of all ages and abilities to draw a self portrait, whether it is realistic or fantasy, on a postcard and have it displayed in the cafe snug.

The Big Draw is not about how good people are at drawing, but a way of encouraging people to give drawing a try and discover hidden talents. Putting pencil to paper can be therapeutic and relaxing.

On Saturday and Sunday, October 11th and 12th, owner of Nant y Coy and artist, Margaret Merrit will be hosting an introduction to drawing course, called ‘So You Think You Can’t Draw’.

The drawing and looking workshop costs £25 for both days. Margaret will use a variety of media to explore basic drawing principles, techniques and approaches to sketching, from 10am until 4pm.

Margaret will also impart her knowledge during a course entitled ‘Liquid Line’, a drawing, looking and responding workshop. The two day course beginning Monday, October 13th, is designed to enrich and strengthen drawing skills and is for all levels of experience, including any courageous beginners out there.

If pens and pencils are not enough for the hidden artist, then Nant y Coy’s ‘Drawing with Paint’ could be an ideal course. Drawing with paint could take experienced art students to the next level of ability, but is also suitable for brave beginners.

The event on October 15th and 16th, gives budding artists the chance to let colour take over and create exciting art by merging colour and line.

‘Drawing Others’ is an informal, illustrated talk by Dr Carolyn Wilde on Saturday, October 18th, which uses examples from different periods to focus on portrait drawing through history. The talk is also linked to the final workshop in the Big Draw programme, ‘Drawing the Self’, on October 25th.

For more details about the Big Draw events at Nant y Coy and price details, call 01437 741671 or go to www.nantycoy.co.uk.

To book a workshop, e-mail courses@nantycoy.co.uk. To find out about more Big Draw events across Pembrokeshire visit www.campaignfordrawing.org.uk.