{i like to draw}

I like to draw. Even when I'm not sure what I want to make or whether or not it will look "good" when I'm finished. When I have a problem to solve or a question to answer, sitting down to draw for at least half an hour often helps me come up with the solution. I'm not sure what happens in my brain when I'm drawing, but somehow the problem is being tackled even when my hands are busy and my mind seems to be focused on the lines of my sketch. When I'm finished, the situation seems clearer and I usually know what I am going to do! Does this every happen to you?

I know that a lot of people are intimated by drawing, but you've got to give it a try! Even if you've haven't drawn in years or feel unsure about how to start. Here are three tips for getting started with drawing (and even getting addicted!):

1. Use the materials you like! I like markers. Sharpie markers, in particular. I know that they aren't very professional or whatever, but I loooove them so that's what I use. I like the wide line and the saturated colors, the way they feel on the paper. I also like thick, sturdy paper so that's what I use for all of my drawings. I recently got a big pad of bristol board that I cut into smaller pieces and it suits me perfectly. You may like colored pencils, charcoal, or a fine tipped pen. Just make sure that you love your drawing tools!

2. Use the colors you like! Back to the markers.... the sharpie markers I use come in all sorts of colors, but I can't afford them all. I invest in the colors I love the most and just can't live without - the ones that make me want to paint my wall that color and buy all my clothes that color! This means that I have three markers in different shades of turquoise... but I use them all the time! It's worth it because the are my favorites! I love to pull them out and color in big blocks of turquoise on my drawings.

3. Get a sketchbook that doesn't intimidate you! I have had my fair share of serious sketchbooks filled with serious paper. I and I never used them. It felt too serious! I didn't want to make a mistake. Now my sketchbooks are actually lined journals. They are inexpensive, unassuming, and there are already lines printed on the page so I don't feel afraid to make a mark on them : ) I just draw all kinds of crazy stuff, scribble, rip out pages, take notes, whatever I want. And I like it!

These three strategies helped me go from intimidated-about-drawing to I-can't-stop-drawing. I hope they encourage you to try it, too!

(I'm listing the cat drawings featured in this post in my shop today!)