Hi Reader,

I mentioned in my last newsletter that I’d started a daily sketching practice. It began in February when I joined Sketchbook Squad, a membership for illustrators and surface pattern designers.

One of the reasons I joined was that each week I got a set of art prompts around each season of the year. Each week, we’d tackle subjects for themes like landscapes, animals, objects, plants, and characters.

At first, I found the prompts energizing. I no longer had to think about what to draw when I sat down for my daily sketching practice. I liked the structure and I loved the prompts. I began to accumulate daily drawings and I was filling up pages in a sketchbook I loved to work in.

Some of the prompts even helped me stretch into subjects I’d never tackled before. For example, "winter characters" included prompts to draw children sledding or a hiker in the woods. I’d never drawn people before and though I was uncomfortable, I pushed myself to draw something, even if it wasn’t any good.

But then the prompts began to change. They included subjects that didn’t interest me in the slightest. Travel destinations, dresses and fashion, or sports figures to name a few.

I talked about my struggle with these prompts with my regular art group, The Alchemy Circle and my friend Sam asked, “If you don’t like the prompts, why are you doing them? You already know what you love. Why not just do that?”

Until that moment, I hadn’t really considered deviating from the prompts. I’d found a system that worked. I’d produced more sketches in the last several months than I had most of the last year. Clearly this was working. I was gaining experience. So why would I change?

I thought if I was going to be an illustrator, that I should push myself to draw all kinds of subjects, not just the things I loved.

I was reverting to the “A” student in me that always wants to complete the assignment no matter what. To check off the boxes. To get the gold star. And I realized I was ignoring what I really wanted in the process.

After Sam made the suggestion in the circle, I decided to take her advice. I ignored the prompt for that day and instead gave myself permission to play.

I tried an exercise from a Skillshare class that I was curious about. The idea was to crumple up pieces of paper, then draw the wrinkles and contours. To “see” something in the randomness — like we see animals in passing clouds.

As I sketched the contours of the paper, the shape of a coneflower emerged and it turned out to be the best coneflower I’ve ever drawn. From there, I drew a bunny, then more flowers. Then butterflies. Before long, I was smiling and happily adding more flowers, grass, and magic dust to the “mess”.
​

I had a fabulous time and was reminded of a lesson I keep learning over and over. What I love matters. And it doesn’t have to be what anyone else loves.

I started out this year with a single goal for my art - to discover my signature style. And that should naturally include the subjects I’m drawn to and the things I want to bring to life.

Since that day, I’ve changed my approach and kept up with my art practice. I decided to create my own prompts, loosely based on the seasonal structure and the themes of landscapes, animals, objects, plants and characters.

I’ve found something that works for me. I share this because I want you to know that it’s okay to change the rules, Reader. You don’t have to be the “A” student, especially when it comes to being creative.

Don’t let the process take the joy out of what you’re trying to accomplish. Embrace the parts you like and throw the rest out.

And this goes for more than just art.
In any area of life, if you’ve been following steps that don’t feel like yours — pause.

Don’t blindly take the same steps over and over, especially if the process is not serving you. Find your way and do that instead. 😃

​

Until next week,

Inside My Sketchbook:

That fun drawing I talked about above was the inspiration for my latest mandala. I traced my "best" coneflower and copied it several times on the page, then added the bunny. If you'd like me to make a coloring page out of this mandala, just reply and let me know!

The drawing on the right is another "fun" drawing inspired by a reference photo of a swing hanging from a tree branch. I wanted to see if I could add a squirrel to that swing and came up with this silly sketch that made me laugh.

Pictures of the Week:

I finally got out on the kayak at the lake near my house this past week. With so much rain, it's been difficult to find time to get out there.

The deer is a picture I took on our recent trip to the Pocono's. My husband and I stayed at a cabin where the deer came right up to you. I'm so excited to have my own reference photos for future drawings!