Ever feel the urge to create something beautiful? You don't need special skills or expensive materials to start drawing.
Drawing is a surprisingly simple and accessible hobby that can offer a multitude of benefits, from relaxation to creative expression, and it is a proven way to get your mind into 'the zone,' that elusive and desirable state of mind everyone must access daily to attain mindfulness and a long life.
Unwind and De-stress: Doodling or focusing on a drawing can be incredibly calming. Repetitive motions and the act of creating something tangible can quiet your mind and melt away daily pressures. Leave the worries behind and lose yourself in the world you create on paper.
Unlock Your Creativity: Drawing allows you to express yourself in a visual language. Whether it's capturing the world around you or bringing your imagination to life, drawing opens doors to boundless creativity. Explore different styles, experiment with techniques, and discover the artist within!
Sharpen Your Skills: The more you draw, the better you'll become. Don't get discouraged by the initial results; practice makes perfect.
Embrace the Journey: Drawing isn't just about the finished product; it's about the journey itself. Enjoy the process of experimentation, learning, and exploring your creative potential, allow for happy accidents.
Ready to Begin? All you need is a pencil, paper, and a curious mind. Grab your supplies, find a quiet corner, and let your creativity flow. You might be surprised at the joy and relaxation that awaits you on the path of drawing.
Tip #1 - Use Music
From personal experience as well as what I hear again and again from other artists, is that music is key. To truly get lost in your art and let your creativity flow, put on headphones, find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted, and play some of your songs. I suggest finding a playlist where the music goes from song to song with little interruptions - avoid music genres clashing as it may interrupt your creative process.
"Being 'in the flow' is definitely worth striving for. I know when I'm there. I'm tapped into something that is far beyond my ability." – Aleta Pippin, abstract artist
Tip #2 - Unsure of What To Draw?
You may be new to drawing and not have a refined style yet, and that's ok.
You can grab an object from your home; a shoe, a clock, a favourite mug, a child's toy or even some fruit on your counter and draw it where it lays.
The best artists have perfected their techniques so much that everything they draw turns out beautifully-it doesn't matter so much WHAT they're drawing, but HOW they do it.
A favourite subject I like to draw is my own hand. One hands holds the pencil and the other hand strikes a pose. Hands are challenging to draw and you always have a spare one with you to sketch!
Tip #3 - Draw it Again
The best way to improve as an artist is to draw the same thing over and over again. Maybe pick a subject to draw everyday for a month, like a favourite potted plant. You can draw it in different locations, with different lighting, next to different props, from different angles, or in different styles!
Tip #4 - Blank Page
Sometimes when we sit down to draw, the large, untouched, empty page halts us in our tracks, and suddenly the idea of drawing something-even a stickman! - feels too difficult. It helps to just start making marks on your page, even if it has nothing to do with what you want your end drawing to be.
On large pages, I'll sometimes draw a smaller box to draw inside of. Even the drawn square in the middle of the page will 'break up' the daunting original blank page enough to feel comfortable enough to dive in. Always make your first marks with a very soft touch and a light pencil so they can be covered or erased as you work.
Tip #5 - Your Secret
The best thing about drawing for fun is that it's YOURS, and you don't have to share it with anybody. Sometimes it helps us to just get started if we know that no one ever has to see what you're creating. I have two mantras I tell myself all the time that takes the pressure off of creating:
"Create something today, even if it sucks."
"You don't have to show anybody."
Those two phrases work well for me, but maybe they won't spark anything within you. But if you do hear a little voice in your head telling you "it's okay, pick up that pencil and draw!" Or read a snippet somewhere that motivates you to grab a sketchbook and create, write it down and put it up somewhere you'll see everyday.
Drawing
Drawing is fun, portable, good for your mind, and a wonderful way to create something that's entirely unique to you.
As a professional artist, I WANT to see more people drawing, creating, and following their artistic dreams - nothing fills me with more joy.
I hope I was able to give some tips and encourage you to start drawing today.
I'd like to know, What type of drawing do you like to do? Do you use pencils? Ink? Charcoal? Do you draw in a sketchbook, on a roll of paper, or on a tablet with a stylus?
please leave a comment below and tell me all about it.