Practice made perfect for visitors to The Paper Trail in Apsley today as they picked up their paints and pencils to take part in the Big Draw 2010.

The month-long event, organised by the Campaign for Drawing, aims to use drawing to connect people with museums and galleries, and urban and rural space, in new and enjoyable ways.

This is the fifth year the Paper Trail has taken part, last year winning a 'highly commended' award for its programme to incorporate drawing and art into the museum that allows visitors to explore the historic Frogmore paper mill.

This year's theme was 'Water plus power plus fibre = paper', with a range of activities on offer, including painting with water pistols, printing, making paper and bubble drawing.

Guests could also take a canal boat ride and find artistic inspiration in the scenery along the Grand Union Canal and River Gade.

Mavis Penn, Big Draw co-ordinator for the Paper Trail, said: “Drawing is a means of learning about he world. It helps you see detail. It enriches your visual experience.

“Anybody can draw. It's a way of expressing what you're looking at and a way of communicating. It's a visual language and accessible to all, regardless of age or ability level.”

Jane Wilde, from Wigginton, near Tring, was using charcoal to draw two models dressed as firemen alongside her daughter, Elizabeth, 11.

She said: “She [Elizabeth] has always been good at drawing. When they're six or seven they just continuously draw and later grow out of it.

“It's one of those nice things you ought to carry on. It's very therapeutic doing it and you never get better unless you practice.”

Elizabeth added: “It's just fun and I like being artistic.”