I didn't think I could learn to draw, but I Started Anyway...
If you'd told me just one year ago that I’d learn to draw, and one day be creating digitally, designing seamless patterns and running a little creative business, I'd have laughed. A lot. Not because I didn't enjoy being creative - I've always loved making things. Knitting, sewing, crafts, creative writing - anything that involved creating something from nothing. I found it relaxing, satisfying and a welcome escape from everyday life.
But could I learn to draw? Nope, surely not. That was for people who were naturally talented. Like, my friend Wendy (Instagram: @wendysbirdart – she’s amazing). Wendy can pick up a pencil, glance at a bird and produce something recognisable in a matter of minutes. How??
I must definitely wasn't one of those people like Wendy. In fact, if you'd asked me to describe myself, ‘artistic’ wouldn't have made the list. Plus, in my late 50’s, I hadn’t even considered it was worth starting it at all. But somehow, I did…
How I started to draw
Drawing actually came into my life because I'd stopped writing.
Having self-published 4 romantic comedy novels, my imagination had once been full of ideas. Then, quite unexpectedly, it all seemed to dry up, and it was replaced with other stuff that this ‘latter stage of life’ creates. The more I tried to force my imagination, the worse it became.
I knew I needed to stop trying so hard, and I needed to let my brain free itself of ‘stuff’. One day, I was doodling a picture whilst on a work call (I was concentrating on the call, I promise!). I had doodled for years, so this wasn’t anything new. But, on that particular occasion, I realised two things: 1) it kept my mind focussed on what I was listening to but I felt very relaxed at the same time and 2) someone walked past, saw it and laughed. They thought the little character looked funny.
I was a bit embarrassed as I hadn’t intended for anyone else to see it, and I wasn’t 100% sure I believed their reason for laughing… But, it had caused a reaction, and I hadn’t had to follow any rules – unlike writing, there was no plot to untangle, no chapter to rewrite and no pressure to be perfect. I was just making marks on paper and seeing where they took me.
The more I drew, the calmer I felt. The more I doodled, the quieter my mind became. And, without realising it, I'd stopped trying to force my creativity and had started enjoying it again.
Drawing became less about producing a picture and more about giving my brain somewhere peaceful to wander. Eventually, that creativity started to spill back into my writing. Ideas began to appear again, almost as if my imagination had decided it was safe to come out of hiding. I realised that creativity isn't something you can force into appearing. Sometimes you have to coax it back gently, with a pencil, a blank page and permission to simply play.
I slowly began to make doodling, sketching and drawing part of every day. Sometimes it was just a few minutes grabbed during my lunch-break, or for the last 20 mins before bed. But, it started to become important to me.
You don't have to be naturally talented
This is one of the biggest lessons I've learned - drawing isn't some magical gift reserved for a lucky few. Anyone can learn to draw, and then improve. I still believe that some people are born more artistically gifted than others and begin further up the ladder than others, but everyone still has to climb it. Every doodle or drawing teaches you something, as do the mistakes you make.
I’m very much still down the lower part of the ladder, but I’ve gone up a rung or two in the last year. And more importantly, I’ve had fun along the way. Everyone has to start somewhere.
And, we're never too old to learn to draw
It’s such a shame that many of us stop learning creative things as adults. We invest time into learning for a career, how to use new software, how to manage family responsibilities (for me, how to a Nanny, the best job ever!). So, why do we find it hard to give ourselves permission to learn simply because something looks interesting or feels rewarding to do?
Another barrier for me was worrying about looking foolish or silly, leaving it too late and thinking that, unless I could be great at it, it wasn’t any point starting.
But, through the support and encouragement of others, I don't believe that anymore. It’s a great way to keep the brain active, and to calm the mind and body. And, being a beginner again isn’t something to be embarrassed about - it’s been the start of a new adventure.
The people who helped me along the way
Many people have encouraged and supported me along the way, but two people definitely helped me get started in the first place.
The first is my daughter, Ayesha. I’d been doodling a few pictures of my grandson Otis and Ayesha loved them. So, she made me an Instagram account called @MeemawsDoodleDiaries and used to post them on there. Initially, I was embarrassed and couldn’t look at them! But then people started to be very kind and supportive – complete strangers!
The other person is my artist friend, Wendy. She came to visit in the Autumn from America and we sat together drawing, and she encouraged me to try different techniques, and to just do it! She also recommended me starting #Inktober (if you haven’t heard of it, on Insta you take part in a challenge where you have a word prompt for each day, and you post a drawing / sketch which represents that word for you. Doing that task forced me to think of words as a visual image, and to try something new in terms of techniques. And also to allow personality to shine through. Sometimes I got it right, other days it was a bit cringy to share them. But, I persisted through the 31 days, never missing one.
#Inktober also led me to find and meet other creatives. I thought their artwork was amazing, and was initially ashamed of my ‘attempt’, but their kindness was incredible. Never underestimate the value of someone saying, ‘Keep going.’
We often hear about the negatives of social media, but there is definitely another side to it.
I've discovered artists from all over the world – some share tutorials, some show little snippets of how they work. People like @tropicgirlkay, @mouseandmeg, @lisabardot… there are so many talented people out there.
Some of the artists I've met are just beginning, some are incredibly accomplished and everyone in between. And one thing I've noticed is that the most talented artists are often the most generous with what they know. Someone teaches you something. You improve a little. And then, one day, perhaps you'll encourage somebody else.
Discovering digital art
Mainly through Wendy’s guidance, I discovered Procreate on the iPad. To be honest, I wasn't sure digital art was really for me but it turns out it’s great fun and you can experiment with so many different techniques, brushes, colours… for something so reasonably priced, the app is perfect.
I became completely absorbed in how I could learn to draw digitially and what this amazing piece of software could do – I did get addicted to some of the courses I found, and the tutorials on YouTube. It was impossible not to! My favourites by far are TatyWorks, Art with Flo, Artsy Lola Co and James Julier.
From drawings to designs
Somewhere along the line my love of drawing cats collided with my fascination for pattern design. It started when I saw a post by Happy Fox Supplies. For me, I found her courses the best there are (and I still do!) to learn to draw and create seamless files.
That's when seamless patterns entered my life. I loved the challenge of creating artwork that repeated perfectly, combining illustration, colour, problem solving and a tiny bit of mathematical satisfaction all in one project. Before I realised it, those little drawings were becoming collections. Those collections became patterns. And those patterns eventually became Moggy Made.
None of that was part of the original plan. Mainly because I didn’t actually have a plan at all… I just kept following whatever interested me next.
It doesn't have to cost a fortune
This, for me, was important. You don’t need expensive equipment before you begin.
I started with ordinary pencils, fine liner pens, a sketch pad and an eraser (which I used a lot!). There are wonderful free tutorials online and some great books too. If you’re a Kindle Unlimited customer, there are quite a few free ones included.
Luckily, I already had an iPad and Apple pencil, so switching to digital art only cost me the price of Procreate. But, I’m equally happy drawing on paper. In fact, I often draw / sketch the idea first anyway, then upload onto Procreate as my trace layer.
So, if you're wondering whether to begin to learn to draw...
Start. Not when you've bought the perfect equipment. Not when you've watched another fifty tutorials. Not when you suddenly feel confident.
Just start.
I'm still learning. I still produce drawings that make me wonder what on earth I was thinking. I still discover techniques I've never tried before.
My Moggy Made Etsy shop is filling up with patterns. I’ve made a few sales, but I’ve also created gifts for friends which use my seamless pattern (like mugs, journals, phone cases and even a table cover of Unicorns celebrating Pride!).
There is always something new to learn, and it truly is good for the soul.
Are you just starting out on a creative journey? Or, do you have any advice for those just starting? If so, please get in touch.
Whatever you're making this week, I hope it brings you a little joy!
Penny x (a.k.a Moggy Made!)