Art and Community: Building Connections Through Creativity

Life Drawing Northern Beaches – More Than Just a Sketch Club

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of drawing and sharing creative spaces—it’s that art has the power to bring people together. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what stage you’re at; when you’re side by side, charcoal in hand, something shifts. You become part of something bigger.

That’s exactly what sparked the idea for the Underground Sketch Club—a life drawing community right here on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Creating a Space for Connection

Tucked away beneath my artist studio in Brookvale, in a underground space lined with black curtains and moody lighting, Monday evenings have become a quiet rebellion against the rush of the week. A small group of sketchers—some beginners, some with years of practice—gather with a shared intent: to pause, to observe, to draw.

I’ve been part of life drawing circles since I was 16, and I know how much it sharpens the eye, steadies the hand, and stills the mind. But more than that, it connects us. When I couldn’t find many opportunities for life drawing on the Northern Beaches, I realised it was time to create one. A space that didn’t just focus on technique, but on community. Somewhere warm, welcoming, and real and that maximises actual sketching time!

What to Expect at the Underground Sketch Club

Limited Seats / Maximum Drawing Time

Since starting the Underground Sketch Club, it’s become more than a class—it’s become a creative anchor for many. The Tawny Frogmouth recently featured us, capturing the essence of these evenings: the rhythm of quick poses, the sound of pencils scratching paper, the quiet focus, the occasional burst of laughter, and the unspoken understanding that we’re all learning, always.
📖 Read the full story here →

Whether you’re new to drawing or returning to your sketchbook after a long break, each session is an opportunity to reconnect—with your creativity, with others, and with yourself.

Life Drawing Tips for Beginners

Not sure where to begin? I’ve put together my Top Ten Life Drawing Tips to help you feel confident, comfortable, and inspired from your very first pose.

From choosing the right materials to understanding gesture and line, these are the same tips I use in every session—because life drawing is as much about mindset as it is about technique.

August Life Drawing Sessions – Register Your Interest

If you’ve ever wanted to try a life drawing class in the Northern Beaches, now’s the perfect time. August sessions of the Underground Sketch Club are being finalised, with limited seats available for monthly meetups.

🎨 Numbers are kept small (just up to 12 per class) to ensure a supportive, focused space.
💡 Sessions run for two hours in Brookvale, with a live model and guidance provided.
🍷 A beverage is included to keep things relaxed.

If you're keen to join us, register your interest here—you’ll be the first to know when spots open up. Sessions will require minimum numbers to be held. Early registration will enable direct transfer so you save on ticketing fees by getting in early! If minimum numbers to run sessions are achieved, remaining tickets will be released via Humantix.

Why Community Matters

Over time, something lovely happens. Strangers become familiar. Encouragement is passed down the row. The space becomes less about perfection and more about participation. That’s the true power of creative practice—it doesn't just fill sketchbooks, it builds connections. I love a good banter session too, so I do my best to introduce everyone while I pour your bevvy of choice, and then we venture into the underground space where you can relax and sketch away to your hearts content!

Art has always been a quiet force for good. In a world that often moves too fast, places like this remind us to slow down. To look closely. To show up, pencil (or charcoal!) in hand, and be part of something together. Authentic and real versus AI generated and fake. Join in the fun of real experiences. No photography permited during the session, post session photographs of drawings welcome to share and tag @hollymahoney.artist and @undergroundsketchclub and our wonderful models.

Let’s draw. Let’s connect. Let’s keep building this creative community—one sketch at a time.

— Holly

#beacheslifedrawing #undergroundsketchclub #brookvaleartsdistrict