Upside Down
Today I drew upside down.
With the theme of breaking down my sketching skill development into small components, I explored why it is easier to sketch abstract items vs. real things. For example, it was daunting to see a man sitting as the object I needed to draw, but turning it upside down and focusing on the ABCs of drawing made it more accessible.
I’m happy with the results and found it much easier to focus on the lines, curves, and angles rather than a mouth, eyes, and arms. I knew what it was, but psychologically it was much more manageable.
Disney Mug
Hello, going strong with my sketch a day for 365 days. I’m really enjoying the process.
Man’s Best Friend – Stuckey
Using the techniques I have learning and practiced, I drew my dog. I started with the outline, observing the landmarks of Stuckey’s body and the relationship of the lines and angles. I Then filled in the other details and tried to use circles, lines, and cross-hatching to show her fur.
As a side note when I drew this picture I didn’t know that we were gong to have to put Stuckey to sleep later that day. It was the right thing to do but still doesn’t make it any easier. RIP Stuckey.
Small Building Blocks - Abstracts
Breaking down any task into its components helps you develop. It is no different with sketching. Today I built upon the elements of drawing, the five ABCs to copy abstract designs.
I wasn’t trying to draw a portrait or a landscape but rather build my skills and confidence by focusing on lines, circles, and angles—small building blocks.
The two blocks on top are my copies of the abstracts.
Easter Island
Today’s sketch is my interpretation of the famous Easter Island statues. The lesson focused on observing the contours of your subject. Slowly and meticulously follow the subject’s contours and let your hand map out what your brain sees.
Start with the outside contours and keep getting increasingly granular as you draw each detail. As you focus on what you see, this is where change takes place. Examine what you see and adjust. There is always more to see.
Elements of Drawing – Yogurt Container
Today’s lesson was about breaking down sketching and observation into the ABCs. Break what you see into straight lines, curves, angles, circles, and dots. I put this concept to work on my morning breakfast, yogurt.
I hope you are enjoying my sketching skills journey.
Coaster Art
Today’s art was of a coaster sitting on my desk. The theme was why it is good to start drawing and sketching with ink. You can’t erase, and there is a permanence to what you are drawing. The key takeaway is that you can learn from what you are sketching. I’m enjoying the process, and hopefully, you are too!
Let me know in the comments if there is a skill or passion that you are starting to develop or are returning to.
Gatorade Bottle
Here is day two of my sketching skill journey. After my lesson, I drew the Gatorade bottle sitting on the counter. I am enjoying the journey and look forward to seeing my progression. No matter what, I enjoy the process of sketching.
I hope this inspires you to take on a new skill or pick up an old interest. You are never too old to challenge yourself.
Art and Sketching
I am developing an art skill, drawing. To this point, I have no sketching or drawing talent. Hopefully, this will inspire you to create a creative outlet and talent.
I came across Danny Gregory from Sketchbook Skool on YouTube. Danny has a wonderful way of demystifying art and sketching. He builds your sketching and art skills by focusing on increasing your confidence and a positive inner voice vs. the technical drawing skills/techniques.
To sketch better, you need to sketch.
I am taking his course How to Draw Without Talent, A self-directed course that'll get you drawing in 26 easy, fun steps. I have phased the 26 videos into daily chunks. Danny also takes you through technical discussions and drills during the course.
Each video works on your confidence, repetition, or a specific sketching skill. If there isn't a particular assignment, I pick something to sketch.
I aim to draw and post something for the next 365 days.
Consistency and Self Discipline
Sketching every day and the accountability of posting online drive improvement.
Patience and consistency are essential for improvement and transformation regardless of the skill. Works for everything from public speaking to running and sketching. I'm using self-discipline to bring consistency and improvement to my sketching.
Here is my first sketch – My Left Hand
Danny considers this a benchmark drawing.
It is where I am now and provides a benchmark for me to build on.
The key is that I am not striving for perfection, just using self-discipline, consistency, and deliberate practice to develop and improve my drawing skills—no burst or bust, as Ryan Holiday states. In "Tiny Habits," BJ Fogg indicates, "Consistency helps scale your habits/behaviors from small to large."
What creative outlet can you develop through consistency?