If, like me, you are trying to make the most of this Coronavirus lockdown, you are probably trying to use this time to practice a hobby or hone a skill. Personally, I am focussing on completing a page in my sketchbook everyday. Most of the time I don't have much trouble coming up with something to draw or paint but sometimes the creativity choices can start to feel exhausting - decision fatigue is a real thing! When I am at a total loss as to what to fill my sketchbook page with, I like to practice different drawing skills which I don’t use day-to-day.

Here is my list of 40 things to help inspire you to practice creating, fill those sketchbooks and maybe even hone that artistic skill of yours:

1. Design a robot

2. Draw the same thing with different pens

3. Draw with non-dominant hand

4. Practice sketching techniques - lines, shapes, shading, cross-hatching

5. Design a logo

6. Do a botanical drawing

7. Do an architectural drawing

8. Practice using watercolours

9. Practice using colour pencils

10. Practice using pens

11. Try an unusual medium to paint with (coffee, dirt, makeup)

12. Practice a figure study

13. Draw some animals

14. Practice calligraphy or handwriting

15. Draw something found on a walk

16. Draw a zentangle or mandala

17. Draw a comic strip

18. Draw a cartoon

19. Draw a cartoon version of yourself

20. Draw a stick figure scene

21. Doodle

22. Draw a pic from your day

23. Draw what is in front of you right now

24. Do an artist study - pick an artist you admire and try to practice their style

25. Draw your ingredients

26. Draw your last meal

27. Do a one line drawing

28. Draw something in 10 seconds, then in 1 minute, then in 10 minutes

29. Do an abstract drawing

30. Do an autonomic drawing - here is artist Tim Gula showing how it is done

31. Draw opposites

32. Draw still life

33. Draw fan art

34. Practice portraiture

35. Follow a Bob Ross tutorial

36. Draw what you are wearing

37. Draw something relating to what you're watching on TV

38. Draw yourself

39. Draw some fish

40. Draw outside

I hope this list will help you practice different art skills. I come back to this list time and again when I am struggling with inspiration to draw - I have found that even the practices most different to my personal style will teach me something that I can implement in how I draw and paint.

Happy Drawing!