The Art of Sketching

I've been sketching almost every day for years, and I still find it fascinating how this simple practice continues to surprise me. Sketching isn’t just about making something look good on paper—it's a way of slowing down, observing more deeply, and connecting with your surroundings, even if it’s just a coffee cup or your own hand. Whether you’re a total beginner or someone returning to drawing after a long break, sketching is one of the most accessible and personal forms of art you can do.

Over time, I’ve realized that it’s not about how realistic or perfect your drawings are. It’s about creating a rhythm, a way of noticing things differently. Through my own sketchbooks, I’ve explored everything from wildlife sketching to expressive drawing, and I've picked up habits, tools, and mental shifts that make the process more rewarding.

Key Points

• Build a habit before chasing quality. Frequency matters more than perfection.
• Choose tools that encourage flow, not control. Keep it simple—like a good pencil and portable sketchbook.
• Give your drawings meaning. Focus on moments, memories, or ideas—not just objects.

Sketching as a Daily Practice

I first committed to sketching daily when I started a nature journaling routine. I didn’t expect much from it at first, but within a few weeks, I noticed a shift in how I saw the world. Even the most ordinary things—leaves on the sidewalk, the curve of a mug—felt worth recording. I wasn’t trying to make perfect art; I just wanted to stay connected to my surroundings and keep my hand moving.

If you're new to daily sketching, start small. I gave myself five minutes a day at first. Sometimes that turned into an hour, other times it really was just five minutes. But showing up consistently is what built the habit. Don’t worry about whether it looks good—just fill the page.

What matters most is not the subject but the act of noticing and putting pen to paper. Sketching becomes a kind of meditation. If you're not sure where to begin, I recommend checking out my easy ideas for drawing and this list of 100 easy things to draw when you're bored. They're helpful starting points when you're stuck.

Tools I Actually Use

People often ask what materials they should get. Here's what I come back to again and again:

• A simple sketchbook. I like ones that lie flat and hold ink well. Are Moleskine sketchbooks worth it? I’ve written a full post about that.
• A reliable pencil. The Ebony pencil is one of my all-time favorites for deep, rich lines.
• Ink pen, brush pen, or ballpoint pen. For when I want to add contrast or make a looser, expressive line. A ballpoint pen is especially useful because it's pressure-sensitive, cheap, and surprisingly versatile for layering and shading.

I also keep a small kit that fits in my backpack so I can sketch while I’m out walking or sitting in a park. Nothing fancy—just something portable. If you're working with watercolor or ink, I highly recommend the best tape for watercolor paper and how to gesso paper for prepping your surfaces.

Embracing Imperfection in Your Sketches

One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was learning to accept messiness—not just tolerating it, but actually embracing it. When I stopped aiming for tidy, finished drawings and just started sketching what I saw or felt, everything shifted. The pressure melted away, and the process became more honest. I began to notice that some of my favorite pages were the ones with crooked lines, false starts, and messy scribbles.

I wrote a full article on drawing is imperfect because this mindset shift is so essential. It’s okay if proportions are off. It’s okay if your pen skips or your shading goes muddy. It’s okay to start over—or not. What matters is that you start and that you keep going.

Try Drawing with Your Non-Dominant Hand

Yes, really. I did a whole sketchbook session this way once, and the results were wonky—but surprisingly beautiful in their own way. It forced me to let go of control, and it made me laugh, which reminded me that sketching doesn’t always have to be serious. It’s a great exercise for loosening up and shaking off perfectionism. Here’s how I approach non-dominant hand drawing.

Making Your Sketches Meaningful

If you’ve ever felt like your drawings don’t feel personal or interesting, you’re not alone. I used to fill pages with stuff I didn’t care about, and it always felt flat. The shift happened when I started drawing stories instead of objects.

Now, I lean toward meaningful pencil drawings—sketches that are tied to a memory, a place, or a feeling. It could be as simple as a scene from a walk or a sketch of a bird that made you stop and notice.

Use Prompts to Spark Ideas

I often turn to random themes to draw when I need a creative boost. These kinds of drawing prompts give just enough structure without being restrictive.

You can also check out drawing themes and my full nature journaling guide if you want to go deeper into drawing from life.

Technical Tips That Made a Difference for Me

Some small adjustments can make a big difference in how your sketches turn out—and how you feel about the process. These are things I didn’t really think about early on, but over time they’ve helped me loosen up, find rhythm, and actually enjoy the act of drawing more.

Use Implied Shapes and Outlines

When I first started sketching, I tried to draw every single detail—every eyelash, every wrinkle. But eventually I realized that hinting at form can be more powerful than rendering it fully. I started using implied shapes to suggest edges and shadows without actually drawing them. It made my drawings feel lighter and more alive.

I also began to experiment more with outlining in drawing, sometimes using a thicker pen or varying pressure just to give more weight to certain areas. Now I think of outlines more like a way to lead the viewer’s eye, rather than locking everything in place.

Explore Expressive and Analytical Drawing Styles

I used to feel like I had to choose a style—but now I treat drawing like a spectrum. Some days I’m in the mood for expressive drawing: loose, energetic, and full of emotion. I’ll use big marks, fast strokes, and maybe even scribble a little.

Other days, I go into analytical drawing mode—measuring proportions, using a vanishing point, trying to understand the structure of what I’m drawing. Both approaches have value, and I find that switching between them depending on my energy or what I want to express makes sketching feel more natural and less rigid.