On a quiet block in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, I walked into the cozy, red surroundings at The Lucky Cat, sketchbook and assorted pencils ready to go. This is the home of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, the bi-monthly event that started a movement.

Every other Saturday, the artsily-inclined gather for three hours to draw the beautiful burlesque girls (and boys) to a fun soundtrack, based on whatever the theme of the day is. Coffee, beer, and/or snacks can be ordered at the bar and one, five, ten and twenty minute poses are put to paper. Contests are held, such as the “best left-handed drawing” or “incorporate a (random and often bizarre object) into the drawing”, with prizes ranging from those furnished by Neighbourhoodies or assorted shots of booze from the bar.

I’ve managed to fit some drawing into my hectic schedule and have been there twice. If you don’t arrive before or by 3pm, you could be sitting on the floor next to me! Dr. Sketchy’s popularity has certainly grown, and with good reason. The crowd is a good-natured bunch, the models are fantastic and always vividly attired from glittery pasties to drapes of satiny fabrics, and the choice of tunes is always a treat. Although I enjoyed my drawing classes at Parsons, I have to admit, Dr. Sketchy’s rounds out the drawing session experience, while supporting local indie artists.

We New Yorkers are not the only ones to enjoy this Saturday afternoon pleasure. The denizens of Philadelphia, Los Angeles, London, Melbourne and Detroit are among the list of cities that have joined the network of Dr. Sketchy.

And now the lovely hostess, an illustrator and sometimes burlesque performer Molly Crabapple, has a book available. Ms. Crabapple, with her co-author John Leavitt, has created the Dr. Sketchy’s Rainy Day Colouring Book, which is chock full of bodacious babes and tidbits from the Dr. Sketchy’s across the globe.

Here’s a little sneak peek.