During my early years of college, I had a drawing class. My college professor had wonderful ways to get us to draw with quick drawing exercises. He would always have something up his sleeve to get us in the mood before our normal drawing assignments.
On one day in class, my professor handed each of us a large piece of paper. We were told to get several pencils out and be ready. My professor proceeded with instructions. He said he was going to flash a slide on the screen for 15 seconds. We were to draw quickly and not to spend time on detail, but more on form. When the slide ended, he flashed another one, and another. We were drawing frantically trying to keep up with the changing of the slides. This form of speed drawing was exhausting and invigorating at the same time! The series of slides revealed a seagull landing on a post. All in all, the exercise lasted roughly 2-4 minutes.
I have used many other drawing exercises to get me in mood for tackling my own drawing projects. Gearing up your drawing skills is helpful. It opens your sensory learning. Using all your senses in your artwork and in daily life is so awakening!
So, I would like to introduce you to some drawing exercises that will get your hands and mind flowing.
Note: These exercises are not my personal discovery, and I take no credit for them. I have located many of these exercises on the internet or from personal experience throughout my years of learning. I have lost some of the credit information. If I have the credit information, I will provide a link below each exercise for further exploration on your end. Some of the exercises I have modified or combined writing and drawing exercises to fit my needs.
Writing/Drawing Exercise 1:
Find an object something small enough to fit in your hand.
Take a minute to examine the object with all your senses.
Write a brief description of the object without telling what it looks like.
Example: The object has rough and jagged edges. It has veins running horizontally through it. It starts wide and comes to a point on top. It smells earthy. It crackles when I fold it.
What do you think it is? Look below for the answer!
Before picking up a pencil, draw the object with your finger (form of air drawing) in your sketchbook or paper.
Pick up your pencil and close your eyes and draw only the contour (outline) of the object.
Open your eyes, then proceed to do a more extensive drawing of the object using no erasers.
https://www.meredithsuewillis.com/writingexercises101-120.html (#101)
Writing/Blind Drawing Exercise 2:
Find a location.
Look at location for 2 minutes.
Set a timer for 3 minutes.
Close your eyes and draw in your sketchbook or paper. (No Peeking)
Open eyes. (No altering the drawing)
Open a new page of your sketch book or paper.
Relocate your scene, take 2 minutes to get reacquainted with your location.
Set a timer for 3 minutes.
Draw the scene again but look only at your hand, your pencil, and your paper while drawing. (No peeking)
Compare both drawings.
Take a moment to reflect and quickly write your thoughts down.
Example: The hear the clattering of the leaves falling around. This is a peaceful place as the chaos is waiting for me upon my return.
https://buddingartist.co.uk/Blind-Drawing.html
Upside-Down Drawing Exercise 3:
Print out a portrait of someone.
Draw the portrait in your sketchbook or paper. (15 minutes)
Flip the portrait upside down.
Draw the portrait in an upside-down position in your sketchbook or paper. (15 minutes)
Compare both drawings.
I often do this when I am working on my artwork because I can see things from a different perspective!
Continuous Drawing Exercise 4:
Find an object like a flower, tree, shell, anything of interest,
You will create a drawing where you never lift your pencil from the paper.
Draw in your sketchbook or paper. (3 minutes)
There are so many drawing exercises online and at your disposal. This is just a small snip bit for you to get started. Do some research and take some time to draw, not in the traditional way, but in a more unnatural way. Do not be discouraged or disappointed by the outcome! Remember these are exercises, not perfection!
Enjoy!
Answer: A leaf