Pups & Pints: The Real Story Behind My First Dog Life Drawing Night (And What’s Next!)

There is nothing quite like combining two of Glasgow’s greatest loves: great local pubs and fantastic dogs.

But when I decided to host my very first Pups & Pints dog life drawing night in the Southside, I will be honest, I was absolutely terrified.

Knowing I would be standing up in front of a full room trying to guide a live art session had my nerves in overdrive. Luckily, my family made the trip up to Glasgow to back me up, helping set up tables, manage the room, and keep everything running smoothly.

We also had two absolute superstars as our live models for the evening: Toddy, a handsome Schnauzer, and Molly, a Terrier cross Border Collie. Both of them were so well behaved, taking all the attention completely in their stride!

How the Night Unfolded (And the Poses!)

If you have ever tried getting a dog to hold a pose, you know standard life drawing rules throw themselves straight out the window. We structured the evening to ease everyone into quick fire sketching:

• Warmup Poses (15 to 30 seconds): We kicked off with lightning fast gestures just to get everyone’s pencils moving without overthinking.

• Building Up Time (Up to 20 minutes): As the dogs settled into comfortable spots, we lengthened the poses, letting artists focus on shadows, fur textures, and expression.

• The Midway Swap: After a well earned 10 minute pub break, we swapped Toddy and Molly's positions around the venue so everyone got a fresh perspective and angle.

Seeing the room fill up with over 30 attendees was incredible, and a total shock!

The energy in the pub was fantastic, with people laughing over their 15 second lightning sketches and swapping stories about their own pets.

Lessons Learned: Emergency Pencil Runs & Future Events

Being my very first event, it was a massive learning curve, and a few funny hiccups were bound to happen.

Halfway through the warmups, we completely ran out of pencils! My dad and sister had to sprint out into the Southside to hunt down extra sketching supplies while I kept the class going.

Having over 30 people was an amazing turnout, but going forward, I am making a few key tweaks to give everyone the best possible experience:

• Capping Capacity at 15 People: Future sessions will be limited to just 15 attendees. This ensures everyone has comfortable elbow room, a clear view of the dogs, and a relaxed, cozy atmosphere.

• A Clearer Event Intro: I will be spending a bit more time at the start explaining the structure of the evening, especially what to expect during those initial 15 second lightning rounds!

Next Up: Pups & Pints at Corona Bar & Kitchen (22nd September)

I am so excited to announce our next event! We are heading to the brilliant Corona Bar & Kitchen in Shawlands on Tuesday, 22nd September.

If you want to grab a drink, pick up a pencil, and sketch some wonderful local dogs in a warm, welcoming environment, we would love to have you there. With spaces strictly capped at 15 people to keep it cozy, tickets will go quickly!

From Live Poses to Studio Art

Observing dogs live, like capturing a tilt of the head or a sleepy stretch in quick strokes, is a huge part of how I hone my craft. Those quick pub sketches feed directly into the detailed work I do back in my studio when creating bespoke pieces for my custom commissions.

If you attended the first event or just love seeing local pet artwork, you can explore my full portfolio to see how those live moments translate into finished pieces, or read what previous clients say on my testimonials page.

Ready for September 22nd or Looking for Your Own Custom Piece?

Whether you are joining us in Shawlands or looking for a lasting keepsake of your own pet, here is how to connect:

• Book Your Spot for 22nd September: Spaces for Corona Bar & Kitchen are limited to 15 seats. Contact me today to reserve your place or ask any questions!

• Commission a Custom Portrait: Have a favourite photo of your pet? Learn about sizes, photo guidelines, and pricing on my custom commissions page.

• Browse Fine Art Prints: Check out ready to hang Scottish animal artwork in my art prints shop.