If you’re having to self -isolate and as we have all been advised to stay away from all things fun (!) like eating out, bars, pubs, theatres and large gatherings, you may begin to go slightly doolally.

If you’re in need of something relaxing to do at home apart from the usual suspects of TV and reading books then here’s a suggestion. Get a sheet of paper and a pencil and SKETCH SOMETHING. Something from your fruit bowl, the view from your window, an image from a book or draw your pet or your partner. It is SO relaxing, it’s cheap (just paper and pencil that’s it) it’s easy to find an image to draw and it’s a brilliant distraction from all the shite that’s going on in the world with Covid-19.

I believed that I was so poor at drawing when I was at school I just gave up on it. I imagine many other kids and young people do the same and then it feels so alien later in life that we never pick up a crayon, pencil or paintbrush again. But it’s not about recreating an exact replica of something; it’s about having fun and it’s about your interpretation. It doesn’t matter what the result is, it’s probably not going to end up in Tate Modern. One thing I found really useful was flipping an image of something you want to draw upside down (!) and it’s remarkable how much less daunting it then seems to draw a face or a body.

Below is the original drawing of Raphael’s David, underneath it is the one I tried to draw. Ok it’s not great at all, but I had such fun giving it a go. What have you got to lose! Enjoy and stay safe. Love Nicole