Over the years I've created a method to sustain my own creative practice, I call it "Ideas for Life". Tools, knowledge and connections are key elements of this approach and I'd like to show you how I apply that method to my practice of drawing.
Making a drawing can be one of the most powerful ways of making a case for a new idea. Visual thinking can often move you beyond the logical; it can allow you to make connections at a subconscious level and unlock a whole new world of ideas. A diagram, sketch, or illustration can connect with people in a way that is instant and emotional. Yet, a drawing can also feel daunting to start.
So, here is a tool, a body of knowledge to read, and a connection to help you get started drawing. Give it a try, and see if drawing helps shift the way you think about things.
A tool to help you build a practice
Try this practice the next time you want to draw something. Find a picture of the thing you want to draw, now turn it upside down. Fold over or cover half the picture, now draw what you see on that half. Next unfold/uncover and draw what you see on the other half of the image. Keep the image upside down the whole time.
Forget what you think the object looks like in your mind; just look at the shapes, lines, and the shades on that particular half of the image. This will feel odd at first, but this drawing practice helps you improve a skill which is not only valuable in learning to draw but is invaluable in almost every other part of your life: observation.
Spend 10-15 minutes making your upside-down drawing. Now, turn it the right way up, and get ready to be amazed. It might not be perfect the first time, but try this five, six, seven times, and after a while, you'll realize you really can draw almost anything.
A piece of knowledge to pique your interest
I often think of sketching an idea as making a visual list. Making lists helps move ideas forward. Read my post Visual Thinking to find out more about this method.
A connection to guide you
I found Danny Gregory through his YouTube channel Sketchbook Skool during the pandemic. He enjoys the medium of visual journaling - thinking with images and telling stories about his life and travels. He founded Sketchbook Skool as a network of like-minded sketchbook artists who teach classes and share their world of visual sketchbooks. Check out his YouTube channel and his books.
Good writers often say, if you want to be a good writer, read a lot. If you want to get good at drawing spend your time observing the world and all its wonders. Enjoy!
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