Delhiites Embrace 'Bad Drawing Parties' to Combat Perfectionism and Build Community
Delhi residents are increasingly turning to "bad drawing parties" and non-judgmental art clubs to escape the pressures of perfectionism and connect with others. These ongoing sessions, hosted across Delhi by local creative groups, provide amateurs and professionals alike with a low-pressure space to sketch, paint, and experiment without worrying about the final outcome.
The trend has gained traction through various community groups, including the Terrible Drawing Club started by Harshita Sharma in 2022, the Art Worm founded by Vaishnavi Balodi, and the Terrible Artists Union founded by Akansha Marwah. Small World, an experiences host represented by Saurav Arya, has also been organizing these sessions to help participants overcome creative blocks and socialise.
Denise D’Souza, an illustrator who co-hosts some of these events, described her first session as liberating. D'Souza noted that as a professional illustrator, it was refreshing to exist in a space where she was not expected to think of a brief unidimensionally.
To foster a supportive environment, the clubs employ unique rules. Marwah's Terrible Artists Union enforces a "compliments only" rule, which encourages attendees to notice what is charming or unique about a piece rather than what is technically flawed. Sharma's sessions use specific prompts designed to help participants warm up and bypass their self-criticism.
According to Arya, these hands-on art experiences have also become popular alternative activities for first dates in Delhi. He explained that focusing on a creative activity helps ease the pressure of a first date and offers a more natural way for couples to connect than meeting at a traditional cafe.
Psychologists and art therapists have highlighted the therapeutic value of these gatherings. Kirti Khatri, a psychologist and art therapist, stated that these sessions allow people to socialise, pause, and express themselves without fear of judgment, serving a similar purpose to traditional community spaces.
