UPDATED: Robbie Coltrane, David Bradley Doodle for a Good Cause, Drawings Up for Charity Auction
For nearly two decades now, Epilepsy Action, an England- and Wales-based charitable organization dedicated to providing support for those suffering from epilepsy, has raised money through its event called National Doodle Day, which auctions off doodles drawn by artists alongside film and TV actors. This year, Harry Potter fans will take notice of three particular names on the list of participants. From the Harry Potter film series, Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), David Bradley (Argus Filch), Zoë Wanamaker (Madam Hooch), and Julian Glover (voice of Aragog) have all contributed drawings for this year’s charity auction.
Starting today and ending September 19, you can bid and potentially own unique illustrations from one of your favorite actors and most importantly, help out a wonderful charity. And even more exciting for Potter fans, Coltrane, Bradley, Wanamaker, and Glover have all donated fantastic and vastly diverse pieces of art.
One Potter star is showing us that the more practice you put in, the more your skills improve. Glover, who contributed in both 2016 and 2017, is donating yet another self-portrait, and we can see that he’s gotten better, despite the distressed expression.
Julian Glover returns to National Doodle Day with another self-portrait. (Source: Epilepsy Action)
Wanamaker put together a very bright, bold, and funky collage made up of confetti, various paper cutouts, what looks to be a piece of a pom-pom, and a plastic confetti crown, bordered all around by marker scribbles. What do you suppose Wanamaker is trying to say with this abstract piece of art?
Zoë Wanamaker’s doodle is a collage of various items. (Source: Epilepsy Action)
Back in 2017, Bradley provided a sketch of Mr. Filch and his beloved cat, Mrs. Norris. This year, he decided to take another crack at the pair, but instead, Filch seems to be more disheveled while Mrs. Norris is noticeably meaner. He definitely knows these characters well.
David Bradley returns to Doodle Day with another sketch of Mr. Filch and Mrs. Norris. (Source: Epilepsy Action)
And lastly, Coltrane contributed what he calls a measurement sketch of a real-life antique clockwork ship that he recovered and restored himself! While Hagrid marvels at magical creatures, Coltrane clearly has an affinity for history and old engineering.
Robbie Coltrane shares a measurement sketch of a real-life antique clockwork ship that he restored himself. (Source: Epilepsy Action)
You can check out the rest of the doodles in Epilepsy Action’s gallery. Once you’ve looked through all the doodlers and their doodles, you can head over to eBay to bid on your favorite one. The proceeds from these auctions will benefit Epilepsy Action, whose goal is to significantly improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy by giving support through chat and phone, providing supplemental resources, and most importantly, influencing lawmakers. If you simply aren’t a fan of art, you can still donate directly to the organization.
Between Coltrane, Bradley, and Wanamaker’s doodles, which do you prefer most and why? Of the actors from the Potter film series, whose doodle would you most want to see? Let us know in the comments.
UPDATE (September 19):
The charity auctions have ended – minus one doodle by Ray Mutimer – and we now know how much money has been raised for Epilepsy Action with the help of our Wizarding World alumni. The doodle by Robbie Coltrane raised £155.00 (about $213), while the doodle by David Bradley raised £102.00 (about $140). The doodle by Julian Glover raised £49.00 (about $67), and the doodle by Zoë Wanamaker raised £35.00 (about $48). Added together, that’s £341 (or almost $469) raised by these four actors alone. We think that’s pretty magical.
