Have you ever wanted to actually finish a sketchbook?
Me too. I have several lying around my flat, half-used and forgotten. Therefore, I decided to start a little sketchbook challenge for myself. The goal is simple: pick up my sketchbook and draw something whenever I feel bored or tired.
Yes, tired.
I often want to sketch something for fun, but I’m usually too tired in the evening to even do anything. This challenge is my way of breaking the habit of doing nothing and instead doing a quick sketchbook drawing.
Why do it? Because it’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s just for me. It’s a way to unwind after a hard day’s work.
Here’s how my sketchbook challenge works:
- I’m bored or tired, I grab my sketchbook and draw something.
- I draw for at least 5 minutes.
Do this for a year, and you’ll naturally draw more, draw longer, and probably have more fun doing it.
My rules:
- I open my curated Pinterest board and draw something I see.
- I make it fun by adding a few elements from my imagination.
- I try to add a bit of storytelling to make it more interesting.
- It doesn’t have to be “good”.
- I don’t show or share it with anyone.
The rules exist so I can have fun because I sometimes forget that a sketchbook can be fun. I enjoy drawing from reference, but I tend to stay in my comfort zone and draw only from my imagination. So, that’s why there are rules.
Feel free to make your own rules to reflect how you have fun.
Bonus:
Here are some sketchbook tips from Gary Panter: Link