I often say that drawing is as much a mental game as it is a skill. So, what’s the best way to get better at it? Draw more! But finding time to squeeze in practice sessions during a busy day isn’t always easy. Here are a few ideas on how to start a drawing routine.
With my students, I tackle this challenge by introducing weekly drawing challenges—a method to establish a drawing routine that, over time, becomes second nature. However, there are many ways to incorporate daily or weekly drawing sessions into your routine.
1. Daily Sketchbook Sessions
Set aside 10–15 minutes a day to fill a page in your sketchbook. The best part? You can draw anywhere—on the bus, during lunch, at school—it doesn’t matter! The goal is to explore ideas and capture impressions of what you see around you.
You can doodle freely, practice basic shapes, or sketch what’s in front of you—without pressure. Think of your sketchbook as a visual notebook rather than a portfolio; it doesn’t need to be perfect!
2. Themed Drawing Prompts
Choose a daily or weekly theme (e.g., animals, emotions, fantasy creatures) to push your creativity and step out of your comfort zone. You can use pre-made prompt lists from social media or join popular art challenges like #MerMay or #Inktober.
Having a set theme helps eliminate the mental block of “what should I draw?” and keeps you engaged. Here are some ideas:
3. Time-Limited Studies
Consistency matters more than duration. Short, frequent practice beats long, rare sessions.
Try setting a timer for 5–10 minutes and do quick gesture drawings or studies of real-life objects, photos, or artworks. This helps improve observation skills, refine your technique, and expand your visual library without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Morning or Evening Doodles
Make drawing a natural part of your routine by starting or ending your day with a relaxing doodle session.
Drawing in the morning can boost creativity for the rest of the day while sketching at night helps you unwind and de-stress. Plus, regular doodling can improve mental well-being and help you develop a habitual drawing mindset.
5. Turn Off Your Phone
Distractions are the biggest enemy of creativity. Try turning off your phone (or at least putting it in another room) while drawing. If you must use it for reference, switch off notifications to stay focused.
You might plan to draw for just five minutes, but before you know it, you’ll be immersed in a one-hour drawing session—all because you were in the right mindset and distraction-free!
6. The Inspiration Jar
Feeling stuck on what to draw? Create an inspiration jar!
Write down drawing ideas, challenges, and techniques on small slips of paper, then randomly pick one each day. This eliminates the need to brainstorm new ideas daily, making it easier to jump straight into drawing. Plus, you can always refill the jar with fresh prompts as you go.
Final Thoughts
That’s it! With these simple yet effective tips, you know how to Start a Drawing Routine and ignite your creativity. Over time, this habit will become second nature, helping you improve as an artist while having fun along the way.
The longer you stick with a routine, the less effort it takes to maintain—it will simply become a part of your day, just like brushing your teeth or having coffee in the morning. So start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the process!
Key Takeaways
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