Sketching The Sea: Aquarium Life Drawing

Life drawing is nothing new for St Andrews’ art enthusiasts — the regular Tuesday evening event, hosted by Art Society in School VI, draws a faithful crowd and is a beloved staple. However, the Art Society recently expanded its sketching opportunities beyond the human form. On 15 November, a collaboration between the Art Society and Marine Society offered drawing and marine devotees the rare chance to sketch animals at the St Andrews Aquarium.

With tickets priced at £8 for Art and Marine Society members and £9 for non-members, participants received a discounted, comprehensive tour of the aquarium, sketching supplies, and access to the Aquarium for the rest of the day. The event’s tastefully intimate and relaxed atmosphere drew a small group of undergraduates and postgraduates across various disciplines, with a solid number of marine biology aficionados. 

Given my limited experience in both art and marine sciences, my time at the Aquarium was certainly unique. The approximately hour-long tour — led by Fin Hamill, a Displays Supervisor at the St Andrews Aquarium — was organized by biome, showcasing the Aquarium’s collection of over 120 species from across the globe. Sections included the Amazing Amazon, Scottish Sharks & Rays, Meerkat Manor, the Reef, Penguin Cove, and Cold Water Wonders. The experience allowed for behind-the-scenes access to the quarantine room, a separate space devoted to animal conditioning, breeding, and recovery — and debunking penguin monogamy myths (while they are loyal to their life partners, even penguins aren’t safe from infidelity scandals). While I enjoyed the piranhas, marmosets, Humboldt penguins, and even the filtration tank, the standout feature was undoubtedly the lively meerkats — who knew they lived in ‘mobs’?

Following the tour, attendees were given free rein to further explore the aquarium and sketch according to their heart’s desires. The Art Society committee representatives, Nicola Maan and Noah Lam-po-tang, wheeled in a charming wagon stocked with diverse supplies. This included a range of coloured pencils, paper, markers, and collage materials. Considering my dismal drawing skills, I stuck to the fish and crab tanks, sketching childishly bright portrayals of the seaweed. Surrounded by the wonders of marine life and the youthful wonder of the many toddler visitors in my vicinity, the sketching period provided a wholesome respite from stress-induced hours under sterile lighting at the library.

The Art Society is no stranger to niche collaborations and events, having previously joined forces with Szentek, Catwalk, the Campaign for Affordable Student Housing, and the Wardlaw Museum. “Art Society produces amazing collaborations with other societies and hosts unique events for creative students,” said Lam-po-tang, the Assistant Treasurer on the committee. “One of the photographers in the Art Society volunteers at the Aquarium. Art Society allowed us to propose the event to Marine Society as a joint initiative combining our interests.”

No, my sketches won’t be gracing the National Gallery anytime soon (or my fridge, for that matter). But in the spirit of exploring new interests, I thoroughly appreciated my time learning and sketching with both the Art and Marine Society. 

Photo: Celia Irving