This week we’re going to be talking about drawing. I’m not going to do too much writing because I want this week’s blog to be more illustrative. I’m going to show you a few HOW-TO illustrations, but for this most part - this week we’re just celebrating letting loose and drawing. Celebrating creativity. Wherever you are! You don’t need a fancy ipad or an art degree to draw… EVERYONE can draw.

And I’m going to put you on the spot a bit with this one… I’d love it if you would pull out a piece of paper and a pencil and draw along with me. 

Yes, like right now. Go get some paper and a pencil... I’ll wait. 

No, you don’t need fancy drawing paper. It can be notebook paper. You can scratch your drawing in your planner or your journal. You can grab an envelope and draw on that. The point is to just do it! You know the old saying “practice makes perfect”? Well, I had a math teacher in middle school that drilled into us, “perfect practice makes perfect” and for SO LONG that made me hesitant to try and not have a perfect result. I thought that unless it started off great it wouldn’t end great. But as an artist (at whatever stage of skill you are currently at), you have to practice. You have to practice and fail. In fact, you just have to fail. Period! How are you EVER going to get better or figure out your style if you don’t experiment? Art is about learning how YOU see the world and drawing is ultimately just muscle memory.

Do you think Picasso developed his cubist style by trying to be perfect? NO! In his earlier years, Picasso had a very technically beautiful (and realistic) style. He developed his later style through years of experimentation. 

So before we get started, there are just a few things I want to remind you of. 

1. First you need something to draw with (I recommend a pencil) and something to draw on (any paper will do).

2. Look around the room and just start drawing. It DOESN’T MATTER if you think it’s “good” or not - just draw. 

3. Not sure where to start? I ALWAYS recommend starting with simple shapes… more on that in a minute.

4. STOP worrying that you’re “not any good”... just draw!

Teacup

1. Start with 2 flat circles.

2. Then draw some connecting lines (and maybe a handle). DON’T WORRY about the perspective - just draw.

3. Erase the extras.

4. Flesh out the rest of the teacup.

5. Don’t forget some wispy steam and maybe a tea bag dangling over the edge.

Spice containers in the kitchen

1. Draw 2 rectangles or circles

2. Connect the corners

3. Erase the extras.

4. Embellish!

Retro Percolator

And not everything has to be dimensional. What about drawing a fun retro percolator in 2D?

1. Draw the main body

2. Add a handle

3. Add the glass perking thingy at the top

4. Embellish!
   
   
   

You don’t have to have anything special to draw either. What about a pile of empty jars (I collect them)? I have a hard time throwing them away… they’re everywhere and I use them for all sorts of stuff. 

Old Jar full of paintbrushes

Mess on my office desk

Fern on table by the sofa

Vase of flowers

The junk in your purse

I know these items seem mundane and boring, but it’s not what you draw - it’s the fact that you’re drawing! I’m not concerned with the end result - I want you to focus on the creative journey. 

Stop worrying and just DRAW!

I want to see what you’re working on! How your skills are progressing! Tag me on FB or Instagram so I can see your masterpieces! @lauramurraycreative