How Do I Even Get Started Drawing? (For Grownups… or Serious Kids)

lenapodesta
Jan 4
4 min read

Updated: Jan 6

If the start of the year has you craving more creativity in your life, but also deeply skeptical of “new year, new you” energy, you’re in the right place. Drawing doesn’t need a big plan, fancy supplies, or a personality change. It just needs a place to begin—and preferably one that doesn’t make you want to quit immediately. Drawing is fun, after all.

You want to start a regular drawing practice, but you’re not sure where to begin? Don’t worry—sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Every artist finds a blank page intimidating at some point. Sometimes you just have to put something, anything down. Once you start, you might not want to stop. Or it might feel like the worst torture for a while until you can make it a habit. Either way, here are some practical tips to help you start drawing and keep going:

1. Keep an Idea Journal (So You’re Never Stuck Wondering What to Draw)

Keep an idea journal—carry a super small notebook in your bag or make a list on your phone. Something easy enough to keep with you everywhere. Anytime you get an idea, even if it seems dumb or incomplete, write it down.

Ideas are strange mythical creatures. They hate to be alone, so they attract other ideas. If you start writing them down, before you know it, your brain and your book will be overflowing with them. And because you’ve written them all in one place, you’ll never have the excuse “I don’t know what to draw.” Now you'll have a whole book of drawing ideas to get you started.

Two boxes. One is labeled "really bad ideas." — In addition to an idea journal, like to keep two idea boxes... One is really cute and colorful for all my good ideas and the other is labeled "Really Bad Ideas." Can you guess which one is empty?

2. Make a Dedicated Space for Drawing

Make a dedicated space for making. It doesn’t have to be big—a small desk in a closet or corner of your living room works. Make it known that this is YOUR space and only your space. No one is to touch or place their crap upon it… punishable by death.

Keep paper, pencils, pens—whatever you like to draw with—right there. If your desk doesn’t have drawers, keep supplies in a small box clearly labeled “Keep Out. Mine.” That way, when you have 15 or 30 minutes, you’re ready to draw immediately. No setup. No excuses.

blank paper and drawing supplies — You don't need a whole lot of space or fancy supplies, just a few favorite drawing tools and a good cup of coffee.

3. Draw From Life (Instead of Your Phone)

Get in the habit of carrying a sketchbook with you. A small pocket-sized one is perfect. When you’re waiting around or bored, pull it out and sketch something you see instead of scrolling.

If drawing in public feels intimidating, start at home. Bribe yourself with a snack if necessary. The goal is building a daily drawing habit, not producing masterpieces.

Sketch of a lighthouse — An unfinished sketch of the lighthouse at Cape Disappointment

4. Make Drawing a Habit (Start Smaller Than You Think)

Set aside a small, manageable amount of time each day—10 or 15 minutes is enough. Do it at the same time every day if possible. Consistency matters more than duration when you’re trying to build a regular drawing practice.

5. Ignore the Voice That Says Your Drawing Is Bad

The hardest part of drawing is dealing with the voice that says what you’re making is stupid or wrong. If you can, ignore it—or say something nice to it. That usually shuts it up.

Keep your drawings anyway. Hide them in a drawer if you must. When you look at them again later, you’ll probably think, “These aren’t that bad.” And if you’ve kept drawing, you’ll have even better ones. Every bad drawing gets you closer to the good ones.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

What You Do Not Need to Start Drawing

Let’s clear a few things up, because this is where many people get stuck before they even begin. You do not need fancy supplies, a brand-new sketchbook (in fact, a slightly used sketchbook or even a napkin can be much less scary), or a clear personal “style.” You do not need to be naturally talented, consistent, or confident. You do not need to know what you’re doing.

You also don’t need to draw something “good.” Good is a moving target and let's be honest, probably not a practical or even a fun place to start.

All you need is something to draw with, something to draw on, and a willingness to make a few drawings that you don’t love. That’s it. If you wait until you feel ready, or inspired, you’ll be waiting forever. Not starting is the only thing keeping you from establishing a drawing practice.

If You Miss a Day (or a Week)

You will miss days. Possibly many of them. This is not a failure; it’s just being a person and getting busy or distracted. I don't draw every single day and I love drawing. The mistake is thinking that missing one day means you’ve “fallen off” and might as well stop entirely.

If you miss a day, you can always draw the next day. If you miss a week, you can draw when you remember. If you miss a month, congratulations—you still get to start again.

The habit isn’t drawing every day forever. The habit is coming back to it without punishing yourself. That’s the part that actually matters.

What to Draw Next

If you’re still feeling stuck, start with one of these and don’t overthink it:

Draw something in front of you
Draw something you ate today
Draw something small and ordinary

For more ideas of fun things you could draw to get you started, refer to my Drawing Inspiration: How to Get Started (for Kids)—many of the ideas work just as well for adults and are especially helpful when your brain is tired and dramatic.