To get into a drawing practice doesn’t mean you have to draw EVERY SINGLE DAY, but you do NEED TO SHOW UP regularly and practice effectively.
It is all about being PREPARED, taking THE TIME, PRACTICE, having the right MINDSET, and knowing WHERE YOU ARE GOING!
I don’t want you to feel like you are working hard. I want you to have fun, improve, and get the “art bug“! Are you ready to embark on YOUR PERSONAL DRAWING PRACTICE? Let’s go through all these points together!
A personal space to stimulate YOUR drawing practice
I realized that having even a small space ready for creating, is a KEY POINT! Since I have a rented studio, I did not draw or paint often at home anymore. But when we had a lockdown in Switzerland last March, I tried out many different options and ended up monopolizing a desk just for me at home.
I laid out a sketchbook, my color pencils, pens, and watercolor, everything READY TO GO! How fantastic, I can sit down anytime, even for a few minutes, doodling or sketching something. It is literally callingme and inviting me to create.
Here a few ideas on how to prepare YOUR SPACE:
Creative spaces – no matter the size!
A basket or trolley can be a great start!
Here is your MOBILE STUDIO. A quick sketch in the kitchen or on your balcony and you are ready to go!
Keep some essential art supplies close by to always be ready to create!
A mini table just for you
Even though this folding table is small, it is all you need to start drawing in your sketchbook!
A simple folding table could be beneficial for your drawing practice
A desk for your creative practice
If you get the chance to have a table just for you, try to make the space as cozy as possible: a little painting on the wall, an inspiring quote, a few lights, or a plant. This is not only your working place but also YOUR SANCTUARY.
Having a space dedicated to create has a huge impact on your art practice.
A backpack or purse to draw outdoors
If you are more of an urban sketcher or simply love to draw outdoors, it makes a lot of sense to have a bag ready with some essentials.
You can create anywhere with just a few art supplies.
Setting up a studio space in the middle of your living room can be incredibly decorative and charming. Not everyone has a spare room. One of my students set up this space…isn’t it fantastic? I am sure the whole family would be more tempted and inspired to sit down and paint!
Setting up a studio in the middle of the living room.
I would love to see where you create and it could inspire others! Please share below in the comments.
What art supplies are needed for a drawing practice
The truth is that you can start with whatever you have, a pencil, a pen or a used envelope, anything will do really.
BUT these are not the words of the ‘queen of art supplies’ Lol.
When you take up a new challenge or skill, there is nothing more fun, than going to your local art shop and getting what you need! It feels a bit like having a new box of colored pencils on your first day of school.
This is a general list in case you need any help choosing some supplies. There are many great brands I have not tested but I will only talk about materials I have actually used. (check out the starter list)
Pencils: They come in different graphite scales: H- HB -B
I have been using Farber Castel mostly H2 H B1-B6 H stands for hard / B for bold (the higher the number the darker the pencil
Fine liner, water-resistant (important if you wish to use watercolor with your drawing
Uni Pin: I find them quite resistant, I use 0.1 – 0.5mm I enjoy them in black and brown Farber Castell: a set of different sizes including a paintbrush tip
Color pencils: water-soluble
Caran d’Ache – highly pigmented Farber Castel – highly pigmented
Color pencils: non-soluble
Farber Castel – Polychromos – highly pigmented a slightly oily feel
Watercolor
Van Gogh studio set: I have a small set, perfect to start with. Sennelier, Golden: More expensive, artist-quality, very pigmented. I got a small box and I am super happy with them.
To learn effectively, you need to reflect on where you want to go. Single out a skill or subject that you would like to improve and prepare for it.
For beginners, start with some foundation skills and then add skill by skill or theme by theme. Don’t feel to need to learn everything at once. You have time. You can also work with a 90-day plan if that relaxes you. (check out my blog post: The 90 days planner for your creative success
Also, show your work to others for CONSTRUCTIVE feedback. (make sure you choose people who know about art. The condescending remark “it doesn’t look like the image” is useless.
Get a book on the subject, watch a tutorial on youtube or take a class
Prepare the supplies that you need in your ‘creative space’
Print out images to learn from
Draw regularly, so that you see improvements soon
In order to improve you need to SHOW UP and commit to it!
No one was born an expert and we all have to start somewhere. Just enjoy the process and you will improve.
Here some paintings from the kid’s class in my studio. They all had to paint from the same image. The paintings came out very differently but aren’t they just gorgeous BECAUSE there is so much room for personal expression!
They are all beautiful in their own way!
Inspiration board or box for your drawing practice
How often do you feel like drawing but you just don’t know what to draw? It is so important to have an inspiration board or box so that you can pick out an image and start sketching away.
Looking at all the treasures of the inspiration board, helps us to get in the mood of creating.
Personally, I have both. My inspiration board is a painted old frame, to which I added a corkboard behind. Then I pinned images from magazines, patterns, color swatches or sometimes even objects from nature on it.
You have an EXTRAORDINARY – ORDINARY LIFE! No need to look further than the avocado in your kitchen, your children, the gorgeous flowers at the entrance, or the laundry drying in the sun. No more, “I don’t know what to draw”! Your whole life is a source of inspiration. Go for it!
Get out of your Comfort Zone and try something new
Even if you already have some experience, don’t let that stop you from trying out new technics. Why not draw something very realistic, or start with a collage and draw on top, and see what happens? GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!
I invite you to get out of your house, with your camera, phone or viewfinder, and look for your own personal treasures: a snail on a wet leave, a weed growing between the rocks, or a fun-looking lady having a cup of tea on a terrace. How many interesting ‘frames’ can you find in an hour?
Using a viewfinder to start a sketch of find inspiration
Get inspired right in your backyard! Clickhere to check out this post
What Works for Me
I am connecting every day in one way or another with creativity. I draw, meet friends to sketch together, practice calligraphy (or whatever is on my skill list), paint, explore and play, and read a book about an artist or some techniques. The more I think about creating, the more I get into it!
Have you created a dynamic composition (from far away, close up, is the eye moving across the page)?
Do you have a focal point?
Are the colors well-balanced and harmonious? Did you make interesting contrasts, cold-warm, 60:30:10 rules or 8:5:3, etc?
Check your values. Do you have enough contrast (that can be checked by taking a picture and modifying it to monochrome)?
Are you taking risks (or did you stop because you liked your drawing and are afraid of ruining it if you continue?) Take risks…you can always do another one.
Make sure you are having fun in the process and do not be too precious about the outcome
Sketching without reference, free like a bird
Have you ever tried to sketch out of your imagination, from your memory or just use a reference picture to help out a bit? I did that while trying to sketch my town from a bird’s view. It is so much fun. Just let go and draw like a child!
The imagination is the golden pathway to everywhere.
Terence Mc Kenna
Drawing from memory, a fun activity to include in your drawing practice.
Sketching with Others
Sketching or creating doesn’t always have to be a solitary activity. It is so much fun to meet up with friends to sketch or organize a ‘DRINK and DRAW!!!!
Sketching with friends to stay motivated and have a blast!
Just call up some of your friends and you will be surprised at what a blast you will have. Another solution is to join a local urban sketching group!
