New Year's Resolutions don't just have to be about losing weight or quitting smoking! Though these are certainly worthy endeavors, if you've been wishing to develop your creativity or drawing technique, now is the time to make these wishes into tangible goals. Pick one of these great ideas, write it out on a piece of paper, and stick it on your fridge or mirror as a daily reminder of your creative priority for the year.
1. I Will Make Time For My Art
(cc) Isabelle Grosjean
Some days the world seems to conspire against creativity. Don't let your art get crowded out. Timetable it, the way you do other activities - even if its only a couple of hours a week. If need be, enrol in a class so you have a time and space commited to making artwork. Prioritizing is critical if you aspire to make a living from your art, but hobbies are also an important part of our lives. Make this resolution a specific action instead of a vague goal, by marking a specific block of time each week on your timetable or calendar.
2. I Will Keep a Daily Sketchbook
(cc) Carl Johan Cronstedt
Keeping a daily sketchbook is a great way to develop your creativity. Your drawings don't have to be complex - quick sketches of simple subjects can be useful and enjoyable. Make this resolution easier to keep by setting up a place and time to sketch - either while you have your morning coffee, during a commute or lunch, or in the afternoon. Have your sketching kit ready to travel, or set up on your desk or table.
3. I Will Study Anatomy and Figure Drawing
If you are interested in drawing figures, including any type of people, clothed or otherwise, then you really need to study human anatomy and the principles of figure drawing and proportion. Guesswork always shows, but a good reference makes your drawings look convincing and accurate. Borrow or purchase an 'Anatomy for Artists' book and set aside a regular time to work from it, in conjunction with using real life references (such as your own arms and legs, or a skeleton at the museum).4. I Will Study the Old Masters
Creative Commons
These guys really knew how to draw. By studying and copying their techniques, you can develop your own skills. Choose an artist you admire, and try creating copies of a few pieces. You might only do a small section, noting underlying sketches or outline, development of form, and overlaid marks and hatching. You could do an intensive program of study, or reserve an hour or two each week to spend time with a good Art History book and your sketchbook.
