Filling a Sketchbook in a Week

It started with a severe bout of art block. I was struggling to move forward in my art. I didn't want to take chances because the decisions I was making weren't giving satisfying payoff. It felt bad. I felt like my art wasn't good enough. I was scrolling through my YouTube's 'Watch Later' category, trying to avoid this dooming feeling, when I saw I had saved an art challenge: trying to fill a sketchbook in one week.

I thought to myself, "Why not? There's no harm in trying." It was the best challenge I ever took on!

I went straight to Michales and bought an empty sketchbook. I went home and immediately was inspired to start. I hadn't wanted to make new art in a while, but there was something about challenging myself that made me want to jump in. I spent the next week trying all different kinds of things without the pressure of it being good. The only thing that mattered in the moment was trying to get through those 50 pages. Since the goal had changed, so had my idea of progress and payoff. The payoff was no longer a polished or pristine piece of art it was finishing a sketchbook in a week.

I had no idea where to start, but I just started. I made watercolor blobs and turned them into people. I busted out my trusty POSCA Pens and went crazy drawing fruit in all different forms: sliced, whole, I guess there aren't many ways to describe fruit other than sliced or whole...

I tried all kinds of mediums: paint pens, water-based markers, ink pens, watercolor paint, watercolor crayons, colored pencils, you name it! I had dedicated a space to trying things quickly and I found that I preferred some medium over others and I ran with it. The next drawings I did were exploring what else I could do with that medium.

For the first time in a long while, I was making art and it was fun! As creatives, especially if you are trying to make a living off of your work, being creative can start to feel more like a chore rather than something you love doing. And now, if your work is in front of a lot of eyes and those eyes aren't validating it in the form of likes or comments, then you start to question whether or not you really enjoy it yourself, even if it was a piece you really liked.

My best advice? Take a break from social media. Give yourself a few days. Allow yourself to rejuvenate creatively. Make some art for yourself. You don't have to post it, you don't have to share it. Make bad art. Make good art. Make fan art. Make art that is fun. Sometimes, it's okay to allow your art to live just with you. Give yourself permission for this kind of art to exist. You'll be a better artist because of it.

If you need help getting there, I suggest trying this challenge as well. It was a great experience! You can give yourself a month, a week, or even a day (though that was a lot harder, I'll admit.) Who knows, you might find something you really enjoy! I found out that I love colored pencils, and I loved making weird fruit, and I loved writing and making art around that quote. Maybe you'll find yourself drawn to an animal that you never would have thought about, like an armadillo! Or a mongoose! Whatever it may be, do it without the pressure. You'll thank yourself later for it.

If you liked this article, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. If you're taking on the challenge for yourself, feel free to follow my Instagram and tag me in your work! If you're taking a break from the socials (great work!) but want to keep up with me, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter where I send out a schedule of blog posts and shop updates (sometimes there are coupons!)

If there's any advice you'd like to hear from me, please send me an email at kkuzanek@gmail.com! I'd love to get back to you.

Don't forget to check out the shop while you're here, I added new sticker sheets that I'm super proud of and hope you enjoy!

I'll see you next time! Thank you :)