A POPULAR illustrator has released a video masterclass in drawing for children during lockdown.

Nick Sharratt, who is well known for illustrating Jacqueline Wilson’s books such as The Story of Tracey Beaker, has released the masterclass on YouTube through the Brighton creative writing and mentoring charity, Little Green Pig.

Nick’s masterclass is the first in a series of videos in the charity’s new digital programme on the theme of Everyday Heroes, with different workshop leaders providing a class each week.

Abigail Allt, development and partnerships manager at Little Green Pig said: “The ultimate aim is to get the kids to write a letter to their own everyday hero.

“It could be their nan who worked in the NHS all her life, for example.

“It’s getting them to think creatively about the situation.

“Nick is a Little Green Pig patron and we’re so blessed to have him.

“We were all really excited to launch the series with his video on how to draw your Everyday Hero.”

Little Green Pig normally runs creative writing workshops and after school clubs in Whitehawk, Moulsecoomb and central Brighton.

The aim is to use writing as a form of self-expression to build confidence, communication and literacy skills in young people aged between seven and 18.

The charity has recently received emergency funding from the Arts Council to carry on delivering its workshops online using Zoom.

Abigail said: “The after school clubs are being really well attended online.

“It’s amazing really.

“We’ve been running the ones in Brighton for many years with lots of different people volunteering to help, from former teachers and amateur writers to young people.

“It’s a strong community we are managing to keep alive during the lockdown.”

The Everyday Heroes series of masterclasses will include videos from other Little Green Pig patrons.

Pete Lawson, a script writer who has worked on BBC shows EastEnders and Casualty, will give a masterclass next Wednesday during half-term.

Abigail said: “We want to share the video series as much as possible to try and encourage children to be creative during these scary times, when everyone is slowing down.

“Not only does it give them something fun to do but also some structure during this big void that we are all experiencing.

“The resources are brilliant.”

For more information, visit www.littlegreenpig.org.uk.