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Breeding

How Tortoises Helped Bring Budding Artists Out of Their Shells

In a Heeley beginner art class, Greek tortoises Charlie and Raspberry offered artists time to observe and draw at their own pace.

By Animalso Team 2 min read

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In a beginner drawing class in Heeley, Sheffield, Greek tortoises Charlie and Raspberry gave aspiring artists an unusually patient subject. The local feature describes how Ay Up Art organiser Claire Cort turned their slow pace into an opportunity to look closely, experiment with materials and enjoy drawing together.

Why were tortoises the subjects?

Claire Cort, who runs Ay Up Art, had tried using dogs as drawing models, but they did not stay posed for long. She arranged for local owners to bring Greek tortoises Charlie and Raspberry to a beginner session at the White Lion pub in Heeley. Their slower movement gave participants more time to observe details and put them on paper, according to the feature.

Cort called the idea unconventional: “It was a crazy idea and people were laughing at me going, ‘What? You’re going to draw tortoises?’ And I’m like, why not?” The quote and event details are reported in a local feature attributed to BBC News on a non-BBC mirror; the original BBC page and publication date could not be verified.

What happened at the class?

The report describes a welcoming session for beginners, with pencils, coloured chalks, paper, card and pens. It does not name brands or prescribe a particular kit. Cort, a former design, technology and arts teacher, said she started Ay Up Art in 2024 to create affordable events in Heeley. She also said the classes were kept below twelve participants to allow individual attention; these are details reported by the feature, not independently audited figures.

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The report says proceeds from the tortoises’ first appearance went to the family-run South Yorkshire Terrapin and Tortoise Rescue centre, while fees for other classes generally covered materials. Cort described her aim as helping people feel more confident, saying: “That’s the whole point of being here. By the end of it, they feel so much more confident with their ability.” That is her account of the class, not a measured outcome.

How can a beginner try drawing an animal?

  1. Choose a subject you can observe comfortably. A calm pet or a stationary animal reference can be easier to study than a subject that moves often. Never restrain or distress an animal to make it pose.
  2. Start with simple shapes. Lightly sketch the main outline and large forms before adding smaller features such as shell patterns, ears or markings.
  3. Look, then draw. Notice proportions, silhouette and where light and dark areas fall. A slow-moving subject can provide more time to look, but brief observation sessions are useful with any animal.
  4. Use basic materials. Begin with paper and a pencil; add coloured chalks or pens if you want to explore colour. The Heeley feature mentions these materials but does not recommend a specific brand.
  5. Focus on the activity rather than a perfect likeness. Adjust the sketch as you notice more, and treat experimentation as part of learning.
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What the story does—and does not—show

The feature offers a local example of a beginner art activity shaped around animals: the tortoises’ slower pace suited observation better than dogs that would not remain posed. It does not establish that drawing animals improves wellbeing or confidence generally, and the organiser’s description of participants’ confidence is an attributed impression. The report also does not verify whether Ay Up Art currently runs these classes or provide current booking information.

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