Library drawing on our illustration skills
Drawing doodles, pictures and sketches on library books would usually be frowned upon.
But it's being actively encouraged at Portsmouth Central Library as part of the 'Visual Libraries: Leave your Mark' project with the University of Portsmouth's School of Creative Technologies.
Children and adults are able to borrow library books which they can draw or write anything they want on under themes such as Monday morning, hopes or disability.
The images will then be scanned and uploaded onto the photo-sharing website Flickr as an exhibition.
Last week, workshops were held at the library to launch the project and three-year-old Emma Logan was soon drawing butterflies in one of the books.
Her mum Carrie Logan, 39, said: 'I think it's important to let children express themselves and do something that's not right or wrong.
'That's why I don't like colouring books because children have to follow rules. I'd rather their drawings be something organic and more natural.'
The project started as a pilot involving 20 illustration students at the university who drew what they wanted in a sketchbook.
The initiative was so enjoyable that some are keen to join the libraries project and help out in workshops.
Third-year illustration student Laura Johns, 22, said: 'I loved it. It was really fun to work with sketchbooks and see what other students were working on. Now working with children and adults is equally enjoyable.'
Lecturers Claire Sambrook and Maureen O'Neill say offering an avenue for creativity is beneficial.
Claire said: 'Kids are so creative and it all stops when they become adults. So it's nice that we give that opportunity.
'And it's not about the quality of the work. It's about the thoughts and ideas that are put down on paper.'
Maureen added: 'We just want people to put their ideas down, whether positive or negative, happy or sad. People say they can't draw and have difficulty expressing themselves but by seeing what other people are making it encourages them.
'It's also about putting some fun into libraries.'
The 45 library books, each with their own theme, are available now to borrow from Portsmouth Central Library in Guildhall Square.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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