Lauren AloiseMADRID, SPAIN. If you are looking to be creative while visiting Madrid, Dibujo Madrid (Drawing Madrid) is a meet up for artists that takes place every Tuesday night. People gather around a performance space where there is some type of thematic performance. They sketch scenes from the night’s act, which is sometimes static and other times theatrical. The idea behind Dibujo Madrid is to bring people together to participate in a group drawing experience. It is hoped that the friendship among participants will actually lend itself to producing art.
Dibujo Madrid attracts more than just sketch artists; it has become a creative space where one can find designers, actors, makeup artists, photographers, and even writers. Basically, if you are a creative person in any aspect you will not feel out of place.
Dibujo Madrid at La Tabacalera, Madrid | Dibujo Madrid.
The success of Dibujo Madrid has sparked a reaction around the world and has served as a stimulus for many similar groups to pop up, among them: Dibujo Bogotá, Dibujo Barcelona, Dibujo Cali, Dibujo Murcia, and Mundo Dibujo. These groups have all been inspired by Dibujo Madrid’s success and growth, as it currently has more than seventy participants attend each Tuesday meeting.
The meet ups basically combine drawing and theater— there is scenery and a stage and usually a story is acted out. At any given time the action freezes and people are free to sketch for about fifteen minutes.
A sketch done for Dibujo Madrid at La Tabacalera | Dibujo Madrid.
Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 19:30 to 22:00, and during this time there are usually between five and six fifteen-minute periods in which artists have time to sketch. At 22:00 participants often have a drink and share their artwork with one another. The group also posts the drawings on facebook and flickr, giving outsiders a chance to view and comment on their artwork.
The Dibujo Madrid meetings are completely open to anyone who would like to join in, whether you are a skilled professional or only just beginning. Dibujo Madrid’s purpose is to encourage new and aspiring artists, and not to pass judgment on anyone’s work.
Although Dibujo Madrid began in the private residence of one of its founders, it quickly needed a bigger space. It is currently held each week at La Tabacalera community center in the Madrid Lavapiés neighborhood.
Sketch completed for Dibujo Madrid at La Tabacalera | Dibujo Madrid.
So why not try something different while visiting Madrid? If you like art, drawing and meeting new people, urban sketching with Dibujo Madrid is a perfect choice.
DIBUJO MADRID AT LA TABACALERA
Calle Embajadores 53
28012 Madrid
Metro: Embajadores/Lavapiés
Tuesdays from 7.30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Website: www.dibujomadrid.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dibujomadrid