Drawing Daily: Tips and Tricks to Rekindle Your Artistic Spark

By Olivia Bejarano

It's officially the first day of fall! There's no better time of year to snuggle in a blanket, grab a warm drink, and cozy up with your sketchbook. But as artists, completing an art project can often prove to be a challenge. Your ideas don’t seem interesting enough, and there’s never enough time when you want to start something—especially with the school and work season in full swing. Before you know it, you aren’t doing much art anymore. This was a problem I was facing a few years ago, and I couldn’t seem to break out of the endless cycle of discarded ideas and frustration, no matter how hard I tried. I kept asking myself the same question; what could I do to start drawing again?

Just before New Years Day in 2024, I made a decision. I challenged myself to draw once a day, every day, all year long. The hope was that with a consistent routine, I could rekindle the love for drawing I used to have when I drew all the time as a kid. So, with a plan in mind, I got myself a sketchbook and started drawing. I ended up drawing mainly in the evenings after finishing the day’s responsibilities, and some nights I’d end up drawing a full figure that I’d be really proud of. Occasionally I’d even create a project full of color and detail that took a few nights to finish. Many nights though, I would just draw a few hasty sketches that didn’t even fill the page. Regardless of the quality, I was drawing again, and I loved it.

This isn’t to say that it was easy to suddenly draw every evening. There were some bumps along the way, just like there is with any new commitment. Some nights it was hard to draw anything because I simply could not find the inspiration. Those nights, I would close my sketchbook, not really proud of my drawings, but still happy that I’d at least drawn something. Eventually, I did miss a night, but I sat down the next evening to draw again just like before. 

It’s been about a year and a half since I started this personal challenge, and I continue to draw every night. Some nights it’s hard to pull out my sketchbook and draw something, and others it’s super easy. Making myself draw every night not only reminds me why I love drawing, but it has also allowed me to watch myself grow as an artist. I’ve seen my style change in subtle ways, and I’ve learned more about how I like to draw and how I want to get better in the future.

And if you're looking to start drawing daily yourself, here's a tip: get inspired by the world around you when you run out of ideas. I mentioned earlier that we're entering one of the most beautiful seasons, and this is undoubtedly a great source to draw from in your art. Look out for the many shapes, the colours, and the landscapes that are offered to you— these are wonderful ways to see the world from a new perspective and get inspired. Another way to do this is through activities. Our blog offers an amazing and expansive variety of these, including realism tutorials, fun step-by-steps, and more! Check it out here!

Art classes are also a great way to get some more drawing inspiration. If you are looking to join us, there's still some time! Many of our classes have already started or are filled up, but we still have selected availabilities. With sessions for all ages and new projects every time, there's sure to be something for everyone. For details or to sign up, check out Yuliab.ca/book-online !

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If you want to start drawing more often, try to set aside some time every day, and look around you for ideas. Pick a time, grab a sketchbook, and just draw. The product doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, what matters is that you’re doing art and practicing your skills. This method doesn’t just have to be for drawing either, you can apply it to nearly any art form you enjoy, including things like creative writing and music. If you miss a day, don’t be hard on yourself, just keep going. You got this!