Artsite Alternative Life Drawing at The Hop

Artsite run their alternative life drawing sessions every second Monday of the month at The Hop, upstairs in the centre of Swindon's Old Town. It's a two-hour slot from 19:00 to 21:00, and the 'alternative' part comes from the costumes. Instead of the usual nude or semi-nude model, the person on the dais is dressed up, with the outfits put together by Sue and Ellie, media-makeup tutors who build the looks from make-up, wigs, props and a never-ending dressing-up wardrobe.

The themes change each time, and they've run the gamut. Past sessions have drawn from mythical creatures, William Morris, Spain, music, Valentine's Day, Swindon Paint Fest, haberdashery, Glastonbury, Disney villains, Amy Winehouse, Elvis, Hallowe'en and Vivienne Westwood. If you're not sure what to bring, a sketchbook and pencils will do, and the costumes usually give you plenty to work with.

The venue is The Hop Inn, 8 Devizes Road, SN1 4BH. It's a community hub in Old Town that supports local comedians, artists, musicians and artisan makers, running pub quizzes and comedy nights alongside live music. It hosts the Swindon Old Town Comedy Club, the General Knowledge Pub Quiz, the Swindon Shuffle music quiz and the Swindon Folk Club, and claims to be the largest exhibition space in the area. The drawing sessions take place in the upstairs room, which is accessible only by stairs.

It's £15 per session, payable in cash or by card on the night. No booking is needed, and the sessions are for adults only. If you're around on a second Monday, just head upstairs.