Cultivating A Daily Drawing Practice

For my latest blog, I’m trying something different by launching a daily drawing challenge for myself. By “challenge”, I’m referring to a new routine of drawing for at least 15 minutes everyday with a small sketchbook in hand while on the search for whatever catches my eye.

The impetus behind this is in cultivating greater attention of my surroundings. I expect this will force me to really see a particular object, clouds, or a person walking downtown. My hope is that this awareness will help me feel more connected to my environment, to take greater notice of the everyday things that often go unnoticed. At he same time, I want to be more at ease with the creative process—more spontaneous, less rigidid. In this approach, I expect my rendering to improve with regularity and I plan to journal about this process as well, recording the discoveries that are made.

Bosc pear, graphite on paper

The Approach

Duration: At least 15 mins. each day of sketching/drawing.

Subject Matter: No rules. I may decide on the prompt, but largely I am letting the moment dictate the direction.

Location: Anywhere, at home, in nature, coffee shop, downtown, a day trip. New places will naturally generate new ideas, providing different perspectives.

Experimentation: As an experiment, I will blindfold myself to lean into instinct, rather than my usual habit. I believe it will provide new insight into my tendencies of working that are otherwise hidden. If I can begin to rely more on my instinct instead of conditioning, I hope my art will reflect a playful spirit, full of new energy.

The following quote by the early Renaissance painter, Cennino Cennini, probably expresses the benefit of daily sketching best.

“Do not fail, as you go on, to draw something everyday. For no matter how little it is, it will be well worthwhile, and it will do you a world of good.”

Finally, I’m challenging you to take this on yourself if you don’t already have a similar practice in place. Suggested mediums include, but are not limited to, charcoal, graphite, pastel, ink, and watercolor. I would love to hear how it’s going for you if you embark on it. I will include any drawings by permission in my next newsletter, in hopes of generating a great wave of creative inspiration.

Here are some prompts to kick off your drawing challenge!

1. Your favorite mug

2. A pet

3. houseplant or a few leaves

4. A chair

5. Your eye

6. Cloud formation

7. A tree

8. A sunset

Sunset, watercolor and charcoal

Try mixing it up with a blind contour drawing or quick gestural sketch of an object without looking at your paper.

Advice: Don’t be concerned about perfection. The goal is about showing up and just noticing what you see. Yet, it can also apply to the following quote by Degas.

“Drawing is not what one sees, but what one can make others see.”

1. Limit yourself to 15-20 mins. at least to start.

2. Keep a small sketchbook accessible to inspire new ideas wherever you are.

3. Reflect on your work, taking notice of what you find most interesting and explore it further.

So focus as much on what you feel in the moment and the rest will take care of itself.

Enjoy the process!