Frequently Asked Questions

What is Drawing with Russians?
Drawing with Russians is a non-instructed figure drawing salon, loosely, or culturally, affiliated with Russian speakers, followed by an after-party.
This FAQ is long, should I read the entire thing?
Yes, we ask you to read this entire FAQ to avoid asking too many questions. The most interesting ones are towards the end, but don't skip the middle.
When is Drawing with Russians?
Drawing with Russians is on the first Thursday of every month, except when otherwise. Doors open at 7pm, 5:30pm, and close at 6:30pm, or when we're at capacity, whichever comes first. Just like most good things in Russia, the after party ends abruptly at 10:00pm.
Why is this event called "Drawing with Russians"?
The host coined the name in 2015 while attending a figure drawing gathering almost exclusively composed of Russian speakers, and organized by another Russian-speaking artist.
Why didn't you rename the event after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022?
The war in Ukraine 🇺🇦 is a tragedy, and we stand with the people of Ukraine. Russia has gifted the world tremendous art and culture, along with its share of murderers, brought to power with the hands of its people that often supported their crimes, chose to, couldn't, or wouldn't resist. This is the truth. We still admire Russian culture and didn't want to hide our origins by changing the name of the event.
Is this a gathering where I will be required to interact with Russian-speaking Zionists 🇮🇱 with history of oppression as a minority in the USSR?
The past is the past which has been captured in art and culture. We draw people from all angles, an uninterrupted tradition that goes back far more than 5,000 years. So as for your own drawings? Bring them home.
When is the next drawing?
Please sign up for our mailing list and we'll send you an invitation about a week in advance, followed by a confirmation within 24 hours of the event.
I can't wait for the next first Thursday. What can I do?
The organizer also hosts a figure drawing session in Hells Hitchen at the Enoch's Coffee Shop every Monday 6:30pm-9pm. It's the same vibe minus the after-party, and no RSVP required. Subscribe to their IG for updates.
What happens at figure drawing with Russians during drawing?
We socialize, drink wine (for those who drink), and draw a model in 20-minute intervals for about 2 hours. Short poses first, long poses last.
What are the rules during drawing?
We obey Russian prison rules. No photos of the model, no talking, not even whispering, and you must draw, no exceptions.
Can I come to Drawing with Russians even though I am not Russian?
While encouraged, you do not have to be Russian or a Russian speaker to come. Typically, most attendees are not Russian, but we would be happy to recommend some books before your first visit.
I am not Russian and don't speak Russian, but I have read Nabokov from your above-mentioned list. Will I feel out of place?
You will feel right at home. If you do want to blend in, we recommend wearing a fur coat or bringing your emotional support rabbit with you.
Do I need a referral to come to Drawing with Russians?
Yes, we grow exclusively through word of mouth. Please tell us who referred you when subscribing to the list.
I never heard of this. Why was I invited?
Someone, a friend or possibly a foe, decided to take the risk of referring you here. To quote Anna Akhmatova, "You will hear thunder and remember me, And think: she wanted storms."
I can't draw to save my life, I don't know how. Should I still come?
Yes enthusiastically. We don't expect you to draw well, nor to speak French fluently as most properly educated Russians. And while we do occasionally host professional artists, we see a lot more beginners.
Is there a model?
Yes, there is a model, and they are paid to pose with your suggested donations of $25 per person. Sometimes we have two models.
Is the model nude?
Yes, very.
Is the model male or female?
We have both female and male models.
Do you announce your models in advance?
Yes, we do, when we send the invitation about a week in advance.
Can I model at Drawing with Russians?
Yes, we hire models exclusively from attendees. Please attend an event, and mention to the host that you would like to pose, then reach out via e-mail at the bottom of this FAQ to set a date.
When you have two models, do they interact or are they posing in different corners of the space?
Humans are social creatures and tend to cling together in occasionally scandalous ways. Our models are no exception to this rule.
I am posing at the next Drawing with Russians? What do I need to know?
Be responsive, communicate promptly with the organizer. Arrive ahead of schedule. No model has flaked since the beginning of this event, you do not want to be the first. Your first poses should be full of movement. Face a different direction for each new pose.
How long is the drawing?
Drawing is 2 hours with breaks every 20 minutes. We start with 5x short 1-minute poses, 5x 5-minute poses, 3x 10-minute poses, and finish with 2x 20-minute ones.
Do I need to bring paper and crayons?
Yes, please bring your own supplies. That said, we will have charcoal and paper available for those that come without their own for any reason.
What kind of supplies do you recommend?
We recommend a drawing pad, pencils, or charcoal.
Can I bring a canvas and use paint?
You can draw on any dry material and use watercolor. Bring a support cloth if you use wet paints. We will supply water. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate permanently messy materials, such as oils.
Can I talk during drawing?
Absolutely not. Drawing is quiet. No whispering. Please wait for a break to talk to others.
Can I just observe drawing?
No, you must draw. Please do not come if you do not intend to draw and are just here for the party.
Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
We won't check. That said, if you aren't vaccinated you either have a medical reason, or are out of your mind.
Will I have to wear a mask during drawing?
No, you will not need to wear a mask, and expect people to not be wearing one. Germophobes, homophobes, racists, and those with related medical conditions should abstain from coming.
Where is drawing?
Drawing is in Hudson Yards, Manhattan, New York, at the host's home and art studio. At times we were looking for a new space to accommodate more people, and have attempted, and failed, to move to a bigger space in Bushwick, Brooklyn, USSR. Personal invitations always include all the location details.
How will I know who the host is?
The host is the one who runs the timers and makes announcements.
How much does drawing cost?
We suggest a $25 donation. This is not a for-profit business. Money is used to pay the model, the space, dealing with building complaints, and alcohol.
Isn't Russian economy growing? Wasn't it $20 during Perestroika?
Yes, Russian economy is always growing, except when otherwise. We used to ask for $20, but the Ruble has suffered from Western sanctions, causing inflation and expensive incidents resulting in building fines.
How many people usually come to drawing?
We have had the pleasure of hosting up to 60 people, which is the absolute maximum we can handle the same night. Typically, half stay for the after-party.
How can I pay?
Bring $25 cash. We will also provide Venmo information during the event. Please remember that we have files on you and your loved ones in the unfortunate event that you forget to pay.
Can I pay more than $25?
Thank you, yes. We commonly host Russian oligarchs, and will not be inquiring about how you made your fortune.
Do I need to RSVP?
Yes, we ask you to please RSVP by replying to the invitation e-mail. You must RSVP or decline to stay on the list. List purges based on arbitrary criteria come unexpected. Please read "The Gulag Archipelago" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn for more information.
What is the drawing vibe?
Drawing is quiet. The vibe is chill. The breaks are social. The after party is bohemian.
Should I also bring alcohol?
Yes, you should bring a bottle of something. In Russia we never go to a house empty-handed. We enjoy socializing during breaks, and drawing is followed by an after-party. We'd rather give all the money to the model, too, and not spend it on booze.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes, it's better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles. Tell them to bring a bottle of wine.
Are MFA students allowed?
Yes, as long as they are young and innocent.
Can I bring my child to drawing?
No, children are not permitted, this is a 21+ event.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, but no dogs or cats.
I'm an art or physics student. Will I run into one of my professors?
We cannot guarantee this one way or another. Please note that Drawing with Russians is not a graded class.
Is this a "drink and draw"?
It certainly looks like one, but we don't like that name. You must drink responsibly or we will ask you to leave. If you drive, don't drink at all.
Is there music?
Yes, we generally play meditative Russian electronic music via SoundCloud, and an occasional classic from the 90s. Our playlist is here and an older one is here.
Can I still come if I'm late?
Yes, as long as it's during the drawing part, but know that the event gets full, and we may have reached capacity. Walk in quietly, and wait for the next break to setup.
How do I get in? Should I ring the doorbell?
Please dial 1004 on the intercom downstairs. There are two doors. Be patient, especially if you're not on time. The host checks the building door camera regularly after drawing has started, but the doorbell is off. If others are walking in, or a door person is holding the door, please mention where you're going and walk in.
Do I have to take my shoes off?
Yes, it's preferred. We have a coat rack and you should leave shoes under the rack.
Do you have space for a big bag?
No, space is very limited. While we can't stop you from bringing your entire life to drawing, we highly recommend you travel unbearably light. Please be kind and avoid bringing your luggage.
Do you have any social media?
Yes, please follow @artdblockdotorg on Instagram. You will find some videos and photos from prior events there.
When did "Drawing with Russians" get started?
The event became a regular affair in the early post-isolation phase of the 2021 pandemic. We've now hosted over 40.
Do you make a unique flyer for every Drawing with Russians occurrence?
Yes. Click "invites" on the homepage to see them. You can also buy some OG ones as 1/1 NFTs on Rarible. The first one was sold to a major collector. Ape in.
Can I take photos during drawing?
No, you cannot take photos during a pose without prior agreement with the model. If you see someone taking photos of our model, please let the host know ASAP. The FSB will check their phone for us.
Is there enough light, or a view?
The loft has bright lights, 10 windows, and a largely unobstructed view of the Empire State building, including from the bathtub.
Is there food and can I bring dinner?
Absolutely not. This is Drawing with Russians in Manhattan, not a buffet show at Tatiana in Brighton Beach. Residents of Povolzhye do not want to watch you eat, therefore please don't bring any food, unless you have received special permission to bring donuts.
Is there a liquor store where I can buy wine?
Just like in Russia, there is a liquor store within half a block in every direction. Unlike Russia, liquor stores don't run out of alcohol.
Is there a grocery store where I can buy beer?
Unlike Russia, there's a grocery store and a deli at every end of the block. If you go to the grocery store, please ask whether the person standing in line in front of you likes to draw.
How tall is your tallest plant?
The tallest plant is a 10ft tall Bird of Paradise and was a generous gift by the artist Younhee Paik. She had a studio in the building before moving to California.
Is there a place to smoke?
The Hudson Yards building is non-smoking, including the roof. You may not smoke out of the windows and will need to take cigarettes downstairs. Please ask for a FOB to re-enter the building if you need to smoke, step 15 feet away from the building entrance, and do not hold the door open. We don't mind devices that don't emit any smell.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes, however, you may find it lacks similar privacy features compared to typical bathrooms. You will be able to see whether someone is using it, and if you squint, you can see the Empire State Building from the bathtub.
Am I allowed to hang in the building lobby or corridor?
Please keep quiet, and do not hang out, or loiter in the building lobby, corridor, elevator, or steps outside. The building has cameras everywhere, possibly with facial recognition, inflicts hefty fines for all such activity, and we do our best to respect our neighbors.
Can I just come to drawing, and not stay for the after-party?
Absolutely. We'd love it if you stayed, but on average, half the attendees leave shortly after drawing.
Can I just come to the after-party?
No. We insist that you please come to the drawing, first.
What happens at the after-party?
Drawing is followed by a party where people socialize over a glass of wine, and more.
But what actually happens at the after-party?
You may notice people taking their clothes off and engaging in acts strongly condoned since 1986 in the USSR. You are in no way required to engage in anything beyond holding your glass of wine. We'd love it if you stayed for more, but only if you absolutely wanted to.
I like someone at the after-party I've never met before, what should I do?
Tell them you like them, and ask them whether they'd like more. Unless they reply with a clear "yes", they mean "no". Since we're not actually in Russia, you must respect their choice.
Someone at the after-party asked me for my permission to touch my hand, how should I respond?
Unlike Russia, you can exercise your rights here. Say "no" if you're not sure. Say "yes" if you are sure, you would like that. Stay safe.
Someone at the after-party is behaving in ways that aren't appropriate, such as not asking for permission to engage with someone they don't know, or just got drunk and is being disruptive, who do I tell?
You can always call the person out, but please do interrupt the host in whatever they are doing, and tell them immediately. We will deal with any situation and they will be uninvited.
Have you begun enforcing the mayor Adams' administration New York trash containerization rules of 2023?
Having had the unpleasant experience of taking un-bagged trash out to an overflowing container in the streets of Moscow in the scorching summer heat, we have decided to position multiple NYC sanitation compliant trash bins around the space. Please put your trash in them. Do pay extra attention to perishables, wrappers, sharps, and PPE.
What do I do if I accidentally spill a glass of wine or break one?
Even though a broken glass is a good reminder of the fragility of our relationships, and that we must treat our loved ones with special care, please do cleanup after yourself. Additionally, we kindly ask you to refrain from reenacting Peter the Great who threw and broke an unbreakable faceted glass in the late 17th century after getting drunk.
When is it time to leave the after-party?
We now close at 10:00pm. Signs of a good time to leave include multiple people helping clean up the place, putting their clothes back on, and the music getting very quiet. Please don't be apolitical and pretend like something dramatic like the party wrapping up is not happening, and help a little.
Am I allowed to crash on your Roche Bobois couch after the after-party?
No, the 12-foot-long sectional is exclusively reserved for your enjoyment during drawing and the after-party.
Can I retrieve an item I left at drawing? Do you operate a lost and found?
Personal sketchbooks, boxes of crayons, pencil cases, backpacks, bags of tricks, IDs, headphones, phones, devices that ring or vibrate, wallets, scarves, jackets and sweaters will be saved, and can be retrieved upon request. Most sketches and underclothes will be discarded, and will not be sold on EBay. Loss of dignity cannot be returned. If you came with a drawing partner and forgot them at the party, you will be uninvited.
I love the FAQ. Can I contribute to it?
Yes. We accept pull requests on GitHub.
Who can I ask more questions?
Please e-mail drawing[at]drawingwithrussians[dot]com or DM @artdblockdotorg on IG.
back