Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT DR. SKETCHY'S

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 (best incorporation of a woodland animal? Best imagined costume?), comedic skits good music and flashy prizes. We've got a selection of posh beverages - alcoholic and not - available to buy.

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.

Who are you? Who's Dr. Sketchy?

I'm Molly Crabapple, and I draw saucy Victoriana for magazines. I used to work as a life model during art school. I thought they were boring and decided to take a stab at the medium. Thus, Dr. Sketchy's was born. John Leavitt is my co-host, DJ, aesthetic arbitrator and graphic design god. I'm also aided by the noble helper monkeys Eve Butler, Justin Lussier, Syd Bernstein and Steve Walker. I've been running this here event since 2005.

Dr. Sketchy is a literary device.

Is Dr. Sketchy's just in New York?

No! Dr. Sketchy's is in 80 cities and 4 continents around the world. This is the web page of the founding chapter. To find information about a particular Dr. Sketchy's branch, check out their page.

INFORMATION FOR ATTENDEES OF THE NYC BRANCH

How often does Dr. Sketchy's take place?

Dr. Sketchy's takes place every other Saturday, from 4-7pm at the legendary burlesque club The Slipper Room on the Lower East Side. We also do special events- international art shows, 6-hour drawing salons, cameos at the Deitch Art Parade... We're available for hire at all manner of parties.

What mediums can I use?

All dry mediums are okay, as are dip pens and a neat watercolour sets. Oil paints, messy mediums and stinky mediums are not okay. Please don't cause a mess. Everything you spill or stain, we have to stay afterwards and clean up.

Are there easels? Tables? Sketchpads?

The Slipper Room has a ton of chairs and a few un-ideally situated tables. Bring your own art supplies. All seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

We sometimes have sketchpads and pencils for drop-ins, but we sometimes don't.

Sorry, no easels.

Do I need a PayPal account to reserve a table?

Nope! PayPal takes all credit cards and debit cards.

My pet ferret died! Can I cancel my reservation?

Sure, if you do it seventy-two hours in advance. We hope your ferret is in rodent heaven.

My copy of Dr. Sketchy's Official Colouring Book or Dr. Sketchy's 2008 Pinup Calendar hasn't arrived yet! Help me, Molly!

Molly Crabapple and John Leavitt only wrote the book. We have nothing to do with the shipping. If your order is late, email Scott Diperna, our put-upon publisher, at sepulculture@gmail.com

Hey, why isn't the model naked? I thought this was life class!

New York City has an ordinance against naked girls and drinking in the same room.

Besides, Dr. Sketchy models show more than enough flesh to get in all the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major you might desire.

I did a great drawing at Dr. Sketchy's. Can I send you a copy?

Post it on the boards!

I'm only 18. Will The Slipper Room kick me out on the street?

Sorry, the Slipper Room is 21+ and checks ID's.

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

Maybe. Dr. Sketchy's has an official photographer. 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. However, you're welcome to shoot us a line with your portfolio. If Molly likes what she sees, she'll pass it along to the models (who have the final say). If you're press, of course you can take photos.

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

I bought a seat via PayPal. How will you know it's me when I get there?

We write down your name from your PayPal info, put it on the PAID list, and ask everyone at the door if they have a reservation. If you use your great uncle's account to pay, let us know. We ask that you bring a print-out of your PayPal receipt to avoid any confusion.

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 Dr. Sketchy's staff. Can I yell, be rude or cause a scene?

No. Rudeness to any member of the Dr. Sketchy's crew will lead to immediate expulsion, without refund. We suggest you adopt a nicer attitude towards service people.

INFORMATION FOR MODELS, HELPERS, SPONSORS and OTHER SAINTS (NYC SPECIFIC).

Dr. Sketchy's sounds cool. I wanna model? What's the deal?

Dr. Sketchy's isn't looking for models at this time. We have a 6 month waiting list of people we'd like to book, and we don't think it's fair to add new people.

However, there are a few exceptions. If you are a: circus performer, little person, contortionist, female body builder, drag queen, professional ballerina, aerialist, or other person with unusual physiology, insane costuming or extreme physical skills, I would still like to hear from you. We rarely book men, but if you are a handsome, muscular young guy who's comfortable posing with women and doesn't creep them out (professional dancers preferred) we can keep you in mind. To apply, send a bio, a low-res photo or two and a link to your website to mollycrabapple@gmail.com. Dr. Sketchy's pays $60 + tips (average from $40-$90). Models must be comfortable having their photos and likenesses used in Dr. Sketchy's advertising and projects.

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 poster, prominent placement on our website, mention in our monthly newsletter, on stage shoutouts, and eternal love. Email Molly (mollycrabapple@gmail.com) and find out more about how sponsoring us can help spread the word about your business.

Dr. Sketchy's is the awesome, but I don't live in New York. How do I get my fill of dirty life drawing?

Ask permission to start your own Dr. Sketchy's. Even if you live in Podunk, all you need are a few artists, a hot model and a dream. Click your way over to the Start Your Own Dr. Sketchy's page. If you use this to start a session, but call it something else, you're not a very nice person.

I want to help out at Dr. Sketchy's. Need any helper monkeys?

Yessiree! If you want to hang flyers, haul chairs, post on message boards, do graphic design, hand out postcards or spread the word, drop us an email. We will shower you in free swag, invites to exclusive events, and our hot, sticky love.

When's the Dr. Sketchy's Official Rainy Day Colouring Book coming out?

It's out now, so go buy a copy!