Today, I want to invite you into a special part of my daily routine, one that has become the heart and soul of my creative journey. There is one thing that I do every. single. day—without fail, no matter the weather, my mood, or my surroundings—I sketch for half an hour.
The Importance of a Daily Sketching Routine
Sketching daily isn't just a habit; it’s a ritual that fuels my artistic growth. Don’t get me wrong—I draw for endless hours each day, but these "work" drawings and paintings are intentional and usually serve a purpose or an end goal. My sketching, however, is just for me. It's a sacred time to improve, limber up, stretch my creative muscles, and explore things I’m not used to. It's my space to learn, grow, and explore as an artist. These sketches are not perfect, and they are not always pretty, but they are genuine expressions of my journey—and learning isn’t always linear or perfect!
The Power of Starting Your Daily Sketching Habit
One of the most important lessons I've learned from my daily sketching is the power of starting. Just start.
On the days you don’t want to draw—just start.
On the days you are too tired to sketch—just start.
On the days you are too busy to sketch—just start.
Once you engage with the blank page, be it digital or traditional, creative curiosity will be sparked and carry you through to completion.
I remember a particularly challenging day when everything seemed to go wrong. I was exhausted and felt completely uninspired. But I sat down with my sketchbook and just started. What flowed from my pen that day wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and it reminded me why I love art in the first place. It’s in those moments of resistance that we often find the most growth.
Tips for Building a Daily Sketching Routine
1. Don’t Compare Your Art Journey to Others
Comparison can be the thief of joy. Your artistic journey is unique, and it’s important to be responsible for your own progress. Just sketch and turn the page. The next day, sketch and turn the page again. Day by day, just show up and turn the page.
2. Stretch Your Creative Muscles
Sketch things you are not comfortable with. Try new techniques, experiment with different subjects, and push your boundaries. This will increase your confidence and expand your internal library of skills and ideas.
3. Embrace Imperfection in Your Sketches
Your sketches don’t have to be perfect. They are a playground for exploration and growth. Embrace the imperfections and learn from them. Over time, you will see improvement and feel more confident in your abilities.
4. Consistency is Key to Artistic Growth
At the end of a month, you will see improvement. At the end of six months, you will be amazed. And at the end of a year, you will not recognize the artist you were a year ago. Consistency is the key to artistic growth.
The Beehive Chronicles: A Year-Long Free Daily Sketching Challenge
This brings me to the Beehive Chronicles, a project close to my heart. It’s a year-long, free daily sketching challenge designed to inspire and support artists at all levels. Each week, we have live Twitch streams to help you out, dive in and answer questions.
The Beehive Chronicles is not just about drawing; it’s about building a community of artists who support and inspire each other. It’s about sharing our creative journeys and growing together. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, there is a place for you in this challenge.
Join the Beehive Chronicles Daily Sketching Challenge
Would YOU like to join me on this journey? Imagine what you could achieve in a year with daily sketching. Imagine the growth, the improvement, and the confidence you will gain. Whether you are looking to improve your skills, explore new techniques, or simply find a supportive community of artists, the Beehive Chronicles is here for you.
Take Away: Embrace Daily Sketching!
Sketching daily has transformed my artistic journey, and I believe it can do the same for you. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up, day after day, and embracing the process. The Beehive Chronicles is an invitation to join a community of artists who are committed to growth and creativity.
So grab your sketchbook, set aside some time each day, and just start. Let’s embark on this journey together and see where our creativity takes us.
Happy sketching!
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