Drawing is always a favourite activity for all children, allowing them to express themselves, develop their creativity and imagination. For seriously ill and hospitalised children art and craft activities also bring therapeutic benefits and have the ability to reduce their anxieties, build their self-confidence and act as a distraction from pain, treatment and the monotony of the hospital environment.
We are therefore thrilled to be working with one of the country’s leading art suppliers, Derwent, on some inspirational festive art activities. The first of the art workshops learning to draw a polar bear, a fox and a reindeer was hosted by professional artist and illustrator, Claudine O’Sullivan. Derwent also sent pencil sets to be distributed to all participating children and young people to ensure their creatures were as colourful and inspirational as Claudine’s.
Watch Claudine’s workshop HERE
Charlotte Watson, Global Brand Manager said, “At Derwent, our mission is to delight artists and inspire them to keep discovering. But our work doesn’t stop there. We also support charities that use art to benefit seriously ill children. We are delighted and proud to support such a worthy charity as Spread a Smile, whose hard work goes towards supporting thousands of terminally ill children and their families.
We have collaborated with Claudine O’Sullivan, Professional Artist and Illustrator to produce a virtual drawing workshop, along with three accompanying stencil designs for the children to follow along to in hospital. This initiative comes just in time for Christmas and the stencil designs represent three cute and festive animals; a polar bear, fox and a reindeer. Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate, Spread a Smile!”