A CHATTY group talked their way into art lessons and showcased their work at an open day.

The exhibition and workshops organised by members of The Debaters club were in Greenock Enthusiasts took a good look at themselves to produce a wonderful range of self portraits.

Jim MacKenzie, 61, right, a member of the group who took part, said: “I couldn’t draw my breath before and I’ve learned quite a bit.

“The Debaters talk about current affairs, talk about anything and everything.

“The art classes have been a great success, everyone seems to be enjoying it.” The 12-week course was led by local artist Annie McKay.

Fellow student Sandra Houston, 59, had been involved in various art projects, including Absent Voices, looking at local sugar industry.

She said: “It’s been therapeutic and you get the chance to speak to meet people.

“Annie is a great teacher.” Annie, who is one of the leading artists involved in Absent Voices, said: “The group wanted to do self portraits.

“We started off with mirrors and some people were a bit nervous. But if you’re taught the right way anyone can learn to draw and they gradually grew in confidence and started to discuss each other’s work and give each other mini crits.” The students have been using different materials including pastels and charcoal and can go now build on the skills they have learned and pursue other areas such as landscape and still life.

Annie said: “It’s opened up a a whole new world. I invite students along to anything I’m involved in that’s free but they’re desperate for funding to continue the classes.” The group received funding from the Health Improvement Fund through the Your Voice community Care Forum to run the workshops.

Sandra’s son also made a donation to extend the course.

Alice Paul, senior development officer with Your Voice, explained: “It’s the group themselves who are running it and we applied for to the Health Improvement Fund.

“We’ll have an evaluation at the end of the project and hold the open day to display their work.

“The guys are superb, people are so talented.

“The whole ethos of this is sustainability — we cannot always afford for experts to come in, so the people become the experts.” See today's Tele for full pictures.