Fearless Drawing: How to Let Go and Have Fun
Remember when you were a kid, and you could spend hours drawing? No judgment, no fear. Just pure fun, getting lost in the process. That’s the feeling I try to tap into when I draw. But let’s be honest: it takes practice to let go like that.
When I look at my sketchbook pages, I can tell right away whether I managed to switch off my thinking mind. The wonkier my lines, the looser my gestures—the more alive my drawings feel. I can tell I was fearless and trusting (and loving!) the process.
But all too often, the inner critic creeps in. You know that voice. The one that whispers: "What if this turns out bad?" "What if I mess up?" And suddenly, you’re afraid to even start.
I totally get it. You want to have fun drawing, but you struggle because your drawings don’t look how you imagined. And then you feel disappointed. Sound familiar?
Sorry to break this to you: there are no shortcuts. The fastest way to improve, to become more confident, and to feel fearless with your sketchbook is to draw a lot.
And I mean a lot.
Think of it like learning to cook. The first time you try a new recipe, you might make mistakes. Maybe the sauce is too thick, or you overcook the pasta. But the more you cook, the more confident you get, and soon, you can whip up a meal without even thinking about it.
Drawing is the same! The more you do it, the more natural it becomes, the more flavors you can create, and the more fun you’ll have along the way.
How do you loosen up and shut down that inner critic?
Here are a few tricks:
1. Relax your grip
When I tense up, my hands do the same. Be mindful of the small things that make a big difference. No need to squeeze your pen! Loosen your hand, relax your wrist and shoulders, and breathe. Try holding your pen or pencil further back from the tip. It automatically loosens the grip and help you draw more freely.
2. Embrace the wonkiness
You know this one. I say it all the time because I love wonky. Life is wonky, and so are our drawings.
Forget perfect straight lines. In fact, try to draw wonky on purpose! The less you focus on getting it "right," the more playful and energetic your drawings will become.
3. Switch hands
Draw with your non-dominant hand! Seriously, it’s fun. It forces you to let go of control, and the results are always full of character. If I feel myself stiffening up, I just swap hands and keep going with the other hand for a while.
4. Use cheap paper
If you’re feeling precious about your sketchbook because it was expensive, get a cheap one. It takes the pressure off! Your sketchbook should be a place to explore, not a place to make perfect art.
5. Make it playtime
Use your favorite tools, your favorite colors, and just play. Kids don’t worry about "good" or "bad" drawings. They just draw. Do the same! Connect with your inner five year old. They're in there and love to play!
If drawing is important to you, put in the time. Put your drawing time on your calendar (and hold yourself to it), plan drawing dates with yourself (they can simply be: take a 20-minute tea break and draw). Make time for doing what makes you happy.
Draw regularly, and you will see improvement. Your skills will grow, your confidence will build, and your sketchbook will fill up with creative energy.
