THE acclaimed artist and cartoonist, Gerald Scarfe, is backing special drawing events at Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum on Saturday, October 27 as part of The Big Draw, the Campaign for Drawing's flagship which aims to get everyone drawing.

The Russell-Cotes is inviting everyone along any time between 10am and 4.30pm on Saturday, to participate in a piece of drawing that will make up a special Rogues Gallery of portraits.

"It will be great to see the people of Bournemouth drawing," says Gerald, who established himself as a satirical cartoonist, working for Punch magazine and Private Eye in the early '60s. He has had many exhibitions worldwide and has designed sets and costumes for plays, operas and musicals. His film work includes directing the animation for Pink Floyd's The Wall.

"To young children, drawing is as natural an activity as running and playing but, as we grow and develop, in general we drop drawing - why? It's sad that so many people lose this ability: for me, drawing has always been a natural form of expression."

Entry and materials are free, and the event is open to all ages.

In addition, two life drawing sessions will take place in the Galleries with local artist Abi Kremer developing drawing techniques favoured by eminent artist Lord Leighton.

An exhibition of Leighton's drawings is running at the Russell-Cotes until January 6.