For a few years running now, I’ve taken part in a “Sketchanuary” drawing challenge to make a piece of art every day. A group of us – some who know each other in real life, some who don’t – try to do something creative every day and post a picture online. Some people are doing very elaborate prints or embroidery, someone else has shared a picture of the marmalade they’ve just made. It’s a really supportive and encouraging group and a great way to hold oneself accountable – we’re over halfway through the month now and I’m finding that for me, the daily drawing or painting is becoming a habit and something I want to do, rather than a chore. Some days are better than others but it doesn’t matter – tomorrow is another day and it’s more about the process than a perfect result. The best results for me are often the really quick sketches when I’m not really trying too hard, but it doesn’t matter; when you have a daily practice, the fresh page in the sketchbook seems less intimidating and more of an invitation.
There are so many online drawing / making challenges and you don’t have to do it every day and it doesn’t have to be January – it’s just good to have a framework. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s feeling a bit stuck or hesitant in their practice, and I’m already thinking ahead to what challenge I can set myself in February.
Here are some of my favourites from the month so far. Amazingly, as someone who is a bit afraid of painting, I’ve reached for my little set of watercolours more often then anything else. But the default option is usually biro on whatever scrap paper comes to hand!
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