What to Draw When You Feel Stuck

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday! If you ever feel stuck and you don't know what to draw, just know that it happens to all of us.

In today's video I show a simple, playful way to get moving again using something you already have with you every day.

Get your keys out. They're always within reach, and full of tiny shapes and details you usually overlook. No overthinking. Let's draw.
Start by breaking "the curse of the blank page" with loose marks. With that, you're lowering the pressure right away. Just like I did in last week's video.

From there, focus on drawing negative space instead of the object itself.
By looking at the shapes around and between the keys, rather than the keys as “things,” your eye shifts. You stop labeling and start seeing. That alone can make drawing feel lighter and more fun.

I’m using a watersoluble crayon and waterbrush. I've got some tricks for you, for layering, lifting color, and keeping the page lively.

This approach works with many tools, so try it to what you have.

Materials used:

• Etchr sketchbook square 20.4 x 20.4 cm

• Caran d’Ache Neocolor II crayon, English Red

• Pentel Aquash waterbrush, broad

• If you don't have Neocolor II crayons, Stabilo Woody pencils work in a similar way, with a different color range.

This is a great exercise to practice seeing shapes, even to get out of a drawing rut. And remind yourself that everything is interesting when you draw it.