Motivational Monday and online daily drawing challenges

August is fast approaching and with it brings the excitement of the online art community. Why? Because Twitter will be full of inspirational posts in response to #drawingaugust.

For this challenge you don't need to be an artist or even class yourself as someone who draws, just commit to posting a drawing each day online during August , via Social media using the #drawingaugust. I've done it for the past 3 years !

​I don't always get chance to post something everyday but find myself doodling on napkins, cups, tissues, envelopes and more, just so I can try to make sure I've got something to show. I've even drawn into sand when I found myself without a pen or pencil. Anything goes, really anything at all.

Why you should try it? Motivation to draw can be hard if you lack time, confidence or ideas. With #drawingaugust it is the repetition of daily drawing that creates the desire to draw more often , kind of 'Pringles' effect! (Once you pop you can't stop). So if you are scared, lacking in imagination or creative drive, this is a great way to start playing. Start simple by drawing what is under your nose first, then branch out as the ideas start emerging.

With it being August ,there are usually quite a few holiday sketches. They can be something that takes just 2 minutes or more ambitious pieces, it really doesn't matter. It doesn't have to be representational either, exploring marks, patterns,textures can be very freeing and exciting.

You can set rules for yourself ,for example just draw yellow things or just draw your dinner everyday!

​By following the hashtag #drawingaugust you'll be able to see work by other people that you can be inspired by and I'd definitely encourage retweeting,liking and commenting on other people's work , it helps make the whole event feel friendly.

If you would like to be added to the Twitter list of #drawingaugust participants then contact cofounders of the event @jeanstevens4 and @olderThanEvil
Send either of them a tweet saying you're joining #drawingaugust then your tweets will be seen easier by the community. Go on, what have you got to lose?

Tomorrow I'll be blogging about the Virtual Art Studio and the 14 day challenge I've just completed.