If you’ve ever felt stuck in your art practice — unsure where to start, or hesitant to take the next step — the solution may be simpler than you think: try drawing.
I already know what you’re going to say: “I can’t draw.”
And now this is where I tell you: “You can read this blog post because you went to school and read and wrote every day. Imagine if you drew every day!? Yes, it would be difficult at first, but once you had enough practice, it would be easy peasy!”
Let me make an argument for WHY you should put in the time and effort to draw.
Drawing as a Launchpad in Your Art Practice
At My Art Practice, our most recent cycle was all about exploring drawing in fresh, surprising ways. The biggest secret (which really shouldn’t be a secret) is that drawing isn’t just about making pretty pictures. It’s a launchpad for your entire art practice. I have always liked artist, Louise Bourgeois’ take on the matter. “Drawings are thought feathers… ideas that I seize in mid-flight and put down on paper.” As you can see from this sketchbook spread, it’s not about creating beautiful perfect pictures. It’s simply about getting it out of your head and onto paper.
I’ve always liked the Louise Bourgeois quote because it speaks to how vital drawing is to taking the ideas you have and making them physical; making them corporeal. Here’s what I mean:
- Drawing Captures Ideas: A quick sketch can spark an entire series or body of work.
- Drawing Encourages Experimentation: Because drawing is accessible (just paper and pencil), it encourages risk-taking without pressure.
- Drawing Allows for Understanding: By slowing down to draw, you see connections and structures you might otherwise miss.
- Drawing is Personal Expression: Even a doodle can reveal personality and mood.
- Drawing is a Record of Growth: Over time, your sketchbooks become a map of your evolution as an artist — the ultimate record of your art practice.
As Vincent van Gogh once said: “Drawing is the root of everything, and the time spent on that is actually all profit.”
Here’s an example of drawing for understanding from my sketchbook. I tried to understand how VanGogh put together this beautiful picture through drawing it and its component parts.
Why Drawing Strengthens Every Art Practice
You might think, “But I’m not a draftsman — I paint, quilt, collage, sculpt!” That’s the beauty of drawing:
- Painters use sketches to solve composition and color problems before committing to canvas.
- Fiber artists translate doodles into quilt motifs, embroidery stitches, and improvisational designs.
- Sculptors sharpen their understanding of form and movement through gesture sketches.
- Collage artists test compositions and motifs on paper before cutting into precious materials.
- Printmakers use drawing as the bridge between imagination and reproducible prints.
In every discipline, drawing is the connective tissue that makes your art practice stronger, clearer, and more personal. Drawing is a way of thinking through what you’re planning to do. Here are drawings I made of scrapbook pages back in 2010:
I’ll bet you already do some kind of drawing!
That’s why, inside My Art Practice, we dedicate whole cycles to exploring ideas like drawing in depth. Each cycle is designed as a focused journey, giving you the chance to slow down and really live with a concept. Instead of rushing through techniques, we circle around an idea from different angles — experimenting, reflecting, and layering insights week after week. This rhythm not only keeps your art practice consistent, it also creates space for discovery. Members often find that what starts as a simple exercise grows into something unexpected: a new series, a fresh approach to an old medium, or even a breakthrough in personal expression. By committing to a cycle, you give yourself the time and structure to grow — and the community support to keep going.
Ready to Grow Your Art Practice?
If you’re looking for a way to stay motivated, stretch your skills, and discover new dimensions in your art practice, My Art Practice is waiting for you.
Inside the membership, we don’t just talk about making art — we do it together. You’ll find:
- Guided challenges that make practice fun and achievable.
- A warm community to share and connect with.
- Personalized feedback that sparks new ideas and motivation.
- Lessons in video and written format.
- Live events to stay connected and ask questions.
- A supportive structure that keeps your art practice consistent and inspired.
Every cycle builds on the last, helping you grow your voice, confidence, and skills as an artist. Hope to see you in the online classroom!
