DRAWING is all the rage in Canberra.

M16 studios in Griffith are running a drawing competition and now we hear “The Big Draw 2012” will be held at the National Gallery of Australia on Sunday.

“Big Draw” is an annual community event now well established on the Canberra calendar, held in partnership with the National Australia Bank, Eckersleys and Drawing Australia.

NGA staff say  it’s “about the sensory experience of engaging with art and the world around you.”

There will be a range of drawing activities located throughout the gallery  and during the event, artists and educators will facilitate drawing in response to works of art, with the chance to draw from live models and respond to famous works such as “Blue Poles” and works in the Indigenous art collection.

In an innovative move this year, the NGA will be exploring drawing and new technologies with an activity employing  ipads and drawing apps.

As well, outdoor drawing activities will introduce visitors to the work of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in association with the coming summer blockbuster, “Toulouse-Lautrec: Paris & the Moulin Rouge.”

We hear  tertiary groups involved this year include architecture and design students from the University of Canberra and Art History students from the ANU’s  School of Art.

“Big Draw,” at the NGA, 11am to  2pm, Sunday,  October 28, all ages (children to be accompanied by adults).  Free event with all materials supplied.