Art Goals for 2020

Have any of you ever kept a New Years resolution? I don’t think I have. But this year I have resolved to do a few things art wise, that I haven’t done before. One of those goals is to fill up a sketchbook.

I’ve been drawing since forever. No really. I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t drawing. But I’ve always drawn on loose leaf paper. My family didn’t have much money while I was growing up, so my parents let me raid the paper bins for any scraps I could draw on. For a time, my mom found out that the local newspaper would throw away huge spools of the paper they print on when it got low, which still left around 50 yards or so of large white paper for me to go crazy on. I still remember my mom down inside the dumpster getting those spools of paper and guys, I’ve never felt more loved in my life than I did right then.

All that to say, I never really formed a sketchbook habit. I’ve always admired these amazing artists with these beautiful sketchbooks filled with their doodles and masterpiece ideas and practices, but it’s not something that I’ve ever done myself. So this next year, I want to change that!

However, I’m also doing a low buy/no buy challenge that actually started a few weeks ago and so instead of going out and purchasing the most beautiful sketchbook I can find, I dug through my art supply hoard and found this little beauty.

It’s tiny y’all. Maybe 3×5”, and less than an inch thick. I think I paid $2 for it from Jerry’s months ago.

Anyways, the plan is to fill this puppy up! And maybe if I can stick to this and form a daily sketchbook habit (which is actually the end goal I’m shooting for), THEN I will buy myself the most beautiful sketchbook I can find. Until then, I’m stuck with Tiny Tim here.

Alrighty so here’s my practice for today. I just did some hands and feet and I used my arch nemesis- charcoal. I really do hate charcoal. Charcoal seems to have a mind of its own and is like the unruly child compared to good mannered graphite which does exactly what I tell it to. As I was sketching with it today I was reminded on just why I do hate charcoal but I am determined to try to master it anyways.

Wish me luck.

I thought I’d share my sketchbook journey with you guys and also ask if you have any art themed resolutions/goals/habits you are wanting to achieve this next year?

Happy arting!