If, like me, you are trying to make the most of this Coronavirus lockdown, you are probably trying to use this time to practice a hobby or hone a skill. Personally, I am focussing on completing a page in my sketchbook everyday. Most of the time I don't have much trouble coming up with something to draw or paint but sometimes the creativity choices can start to feel exhausting - decision fatigue is a real thing! When I am at a total loss as to what to fill my sketchbook page with, I like to practice different drawing skills which I don’t use day-to-day.
Here is my list of 40 things to help inspire you to practice creating, fill those sketchbooks and maybe even hone that artistic skill of yours:
Design a robot
Draw the same thing with different pens
Draw with non-dominant hand
Practice sketching techniques - lines, shapes, shading, cross-hatching
Design a logo
Do a botanical drawing
Do an architectural drawing
Practice using watercolours
Practice using colour pencils
Practice using pens
Try an unusual medium to paint with (coffee, dirt, makeup)
Practice a figure study
Draw some animals
Practice calligraphy or handwriting
Draw something found on a walk
Draw a zentangle or mandala
Draw a comic strip
Draw a cartoon
Draw a cartoon version of yourself
Draw a stick figure scene
Doodle
Draw a pic from your day
Draw what is in front of you right now
Do an artist study - pick an artist you admire and try to practice their style
Draw your ingredients
Draw your last meal
Do a one line drawing
Draw something in 10 seconds, then in 1 minute, then in 10 minutes
Do an abstract drawing
Do an autonomic drawing - here is artist Tim Gula showing how it is done
Draw opposites
Draw still life
Draw fan art
Practice portraiture
Follow a Bob Ross tutorial
Draw what you are wearing
Draw something relating to what you're watching on TV
Draw yourself
Draw some fish
Draw outside
I hope this list will help you practice different art skills. I come back to this list time and again when I am struggling with inspiration to draw - I have found that even the practices most different to my personal style will teach me something that I can implement in how I draw and paint.
Happy Drawing!