Does anyone draw for fun?

[cheeseisthebest]

I loves drawing as a kid just for fun and would love to do it again as a relaxing hobby but I feel unless I'm any good at it it's just a bit embarrassing. However I don't want it to feel like a chore!
Can I get past that and just do it for fun regardless of whether I'm any good or not?!

Bump?!!

I like to draw for fun! No one is judging you, it's something that gets better with practice anyway. I think it's worthwhile just for the flow state you can find when concentrating and creating. What do you like to draw?

I don't really know! Quite fancy trying scenes? Like a beach or some trees or something??

I do from time to time. I’m not amazing, but can do a passable copy of something. It’s quite relaxing. If you want to then just go for it.

Yes I'm better at copying, actually reasonably ok at that.

I do it for fun and as part of my job. I find it really relaxing and rewarding. It feels like a hobby, and I'm certainly not a professional 😁.

Beach with trees sounds good, escapist, maybe a cocktail and a hammock too!

I sometimes Google something I want to sketch and copy a photo from there. They're just for my sketchbook. I sometimes use watercolour pens and paint as well.

Yes, and yes you can just start, and if you do it fairly often you’ll get good fairly quickly.

Copying is great. You can start with flat images (photos or other people’s drawings), then try small real objects at life size (a nice leaf, a piece of jewellery you like, fruit, flowers etc) - if you do a bit from observation regularly you’ll honestly be amazed, and it makes you see the world through fresh eyes too.

Have a look at the website Domestika they have loads of fab courses really good value. Lots on drawing and sketchbooks. I have got really into drawing again doing these online courses in the evenings. It's all videos you watch and they set you projects.

Only about a tenner per course so maybe find one that interests you to start. I've done 7 now!

Oh me! I love it! I feel like I really wasn't taught well at school and I'd like to do some classes to improve, but not got time at the moment. But till DD was born 7 months ago, I did some every week, just copying things as previous posters have said. I don't think I've got the talent to produce something from my imagination.

It's so important to have something creative in your life. Doing it to a professional standard really isn't necessary. You don't even have to show or tell anyone if you don't want to.

Thank you, this has all really inspired me!
I will start with doing some copying, agree I wouldn't be able to draw something off top of my head!

I draw for my job (art teacher, illustrations to commission) and would never draw without a reference. People are so weird about copying (it’s cheating, it’s not real art etc etc) but unless you’re working in pure abstraction observation is central to the process.

I do!

Just today I bought a moleskine sketch book and some fine liners. I draw a lot but this year as a resolution I want to do one sketch a day, even if it's just something small, like a shitty flower, that never gets finished. It is all practice!

That's the best advice I have, other than don't be afraid to use other art as reference when developing personal style. If you also google "xyz pose reference" (e.g. woman laying down pose reference) you get lots of results with the basic forms sketched out for you to follow.

Other than that, an art fundamentals book or following the art fundamentals online can vastly improve your skills.

@MollyQueenOfSocks have you seen Lara Gastinger’s perpetual journal if you’re getting a regular habit? Spent way too much time binding a custom sketchbook for mine over Christmas. Am excessively excited to draw a twig in the morning 😳🤣

Have a look for one of those lists of prompts for each day.

And my mum’s best advice - paper is cheap, so not every drawing has to be a masterpiece. Just draw and then throw it away and draw some more!

I draw and then watercolour, I started during the first lockdown and have carried on.
You tube is full of free tutorials. I absolutely love doing it, even if the end picture is not brilliant, I love the process of it.

So happy you asked this OP. Have been wanting to start for ages but not had the confidence. You have inspired me to start for the new year.

That's great hattymattie!
No harm in having a go!

There are lots of drawing tutorials on YouTube. I've learnt to draw many Pokémon with my son through these,! Although I guess that's not exactly the kind of drawing your after!!

Well why not, I loved drawing cartoons as a kid!