POTENTIAL Picassos picked up pen and paper to participate in art activities in Malvern and Ledbury on Saturday as part of The Big Draw.

About 400 people contributed to Ledbury's biggest drawing - 50 yards of paper stretching along Church Lane and around the Prince of Wales pub.

Wendy Ruddick, of Artistree, which organised the event, said that it had been a great success and had involved all the community, including some ramblers who were passing by and decided to join in.

"There was an astounding, staggering amount of people and everyone was engaged fully and playfully, from babes-in-arms to 80-year-olds. It was all about drawing the people and the environment and the situation that we were in," she said.

The finished artwork is currently on display at the gallery along with easels and drawing materials for people to add more.

In Malvern, artist Catherine Moody ran a series of masterclasses for keen artists from her studio in Sling Lane.

Eight artists of all ages were invited to bring a tonal underpainting of a sunset to the classes and then fill in the colour under Ms Moody's tuition. Underpainting is a recently revived technique where a tonal painting is used as the basis for the final work.

The artists painted sunsets from locations including Pembroke and Upton.

The Big Draw is aimed at getting people of all ages and abilities to enjoy drawing.

Ms Moody, who has been involved with it for the past 10 years said she thought it was a very worthwhile event.

"It's very sound. Drawing is a real basic because when you're drawing, not only do you show the shape of the thing for other people to see, but you develop the power of finding out what you're really looking at in a fresh and original light," she said.