10 Drawing Exercises
Winter can feel heavy. The shorter days, the grey skies—it’s easy to feel stuck. But creativity has a way of pulling us out of those ruts, even if we don’t consider ourselves artists. These simple drawing exercises are more about the process than the result. No perfection, no pressure—just a little space to breathe and create.
Grab a sketchbook, a pen, and let’s dive in. ✨
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1. Continuous Line Drawing
Set a timer for 5 minutes. Pick an object in front of you. Now, without lifting your pen, draw it in one continuous line. No erasing, no second-guessing. Just flow.
Why it helps: Engages focus, promotes relaxation, and reduces perfectionism.
Try with: A simple gel pen like Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Pens and a soft-cover sketchbook like Moleskine Classic Notebook.
2. Scribble & Find Shapes
Scribble randomly on a page for 30 seconds. Then, slow down. Look for shapes, patterns, or hidden figures within the scribbles and outline them.
Why it helps: Activates imagination, relieves tension and sparks unexpected creativity.
Bonus tip: Try this exercise with music and let the rhythm guide your scribbles.
3. Repetitive Patterns (A.K.A. Doodling)
Draw simple repeating shapes—dots, swirls, zigzags, or waves—across your page. Let it be meditative.
Why it helps: Soothing, rhythmic movements reduce stress and increase mindfulness.
Use: Micron Fineliner Pens for crisp, smooth lines.
4. Draw Your Breath
As you inhale, draw a slow, rising line. As you exhale, let the line curve downward. Repeat, changing the flow based on your breathing rhythm.
Why it helps: Deepens awareness, calms the nervous system and turns breath into visual art.
Enhance it with: Soft pastels like Faber-Castell Soft Pastels for fluid color transitions.
5. Blind Contour Portraits
Look at yourself in a mirror or at a friend’s photo. Without looking at your paper, draw the outline of the face. Let it be weird and wobbly.
Why it helps: Shifts focus from accuracy to pure observation, encouraging playfulness.
Pro tip: Try it with a neon gel pen for extra fun.
6. Emotion Mapping
Draw abstract shapes or lines that represent how you feel in the moment. No words, just colors and movement.
Why it helps: Allows emotional release without needing to verbalize.
Try with: Watercolor pencils like Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils for a soft, expressive effect.
7. Zentangle-Inspired Drawing
Fill a page with small, intricate patterns. Let your mind wander as you create.
Why it helps: Induces a meditative state, similar to adult coloring books.
Use: A precision pen like Sakura Pigma Micron Pens for fine details.
8. Gratitude Sketching
Draw one small thing you’re grateful for each day—your morning coffee, a pet’s paw, a cozy blanket.
Why it helps: Combines gratitude journaling with creative expression, reinforcing positivity.
Bonus tip: Keep a tiny sketchbook just for these moments.
9. Nature Tracing
Find leaves, flowers, or branches. Place them under your paper and lightly shade over them to capture their texture.
Why it helps: Connects you with nature and encourages slow, mindful observation.
Best with: Soft graphite pencils like Derwent Graphic Pencils.
10. Dream Doodles
Before bed, quickly sketch an element from your day or a dream-like scene from your imagination.
Why it helps: Encourages reflection, reduces nighttime anxiety, and supports better sleep.
Enhance with: A white gel pen like Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen on dark paper for a dreamy effect.
Drawing isn’t just about making art—it’s about making space. Space to breathe, to process, to play.
So, don’t worry about getting it “right.” Just pick up your pen, let go of expectations, and see where the lines take you.
Save this post for later or share it with someone who needs a little creative light in their season! ✨
