5 Ways to Stay Inspired to Draw

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.”

~ Jack London

5 Ways to Stay Inspired to Draw (Even When You're in a Rut!)

Even the most passionate artists have days when picking up a pencil feels like a chore. Maybe life gets busy, maybe your latest drawing didn’t turn out the way you hoped — or maybe you just feel stuck. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Every artist hits a creative lull now and then.

The good news? You don’t have to wait around for inspiration to magically appear. There are practical ways to invite it back in — gently and playfully.

Here are five easy ways to reignite your spark and stay inspired to draw, even when your motivation has wandered off.

1. Set Fun, Low-Pressure Challenges

Sometimes the quickest way to feel inspired again is to take the pressure off and just have fun. That’s where simple, sketchy challenges can work wonders.

Try:

• A 10-minute sketch challenge (no pressure to finish — just start!) Set the timer on your smartphone for 10 minutes and sketch, no pressure just for fun.

• An alphabet challenge (draw an animal for each letter — A for Aardvark, B for Buffalo or Blue Dog... etc. After a few weeks, you will have a lovely collection of sketches. I am currently running this with my Academy members and it's such fun.

• A weekly theme, like “big cats” or “textures in fur.”

These challenges give you a starting point, build discipline, and help you rediscover the fun of drawing just for the joy of it.

Tip: Keep the challenges low-key. The goal is momentum, not perfection.

If you would like to watch some of my 10-minute, fun A-Z challenge sketches on YouTube, click here for the Playlist

2. Surround Yourself with Inspiration

Inspiration is everywhere — sometimes we just need to notice it again.

Here are a few easy ways to refuel your visual imagination:

• Create a folder of wildlife photos or nature scenes then the images are ready to go when you are.

• Visit a local zoo, nearby park or nature reserve and take your sketchbook and camera. Create at least one sketch from your visit.

• Watch a wildlife documentary on YouTube, follow nature photographers or flip through a nature magazine. Look for elements in the images that inspire you. Is it the subject, the colours, the composition? It might be all three so make notes to reflect back on and include them in your next drawing.

 3. Try a New Medium or Style

When your usual art routine starts to feel stale, change to a different medium.

Try:

• Switching from coloured pencils to watercolour, pastels or ink.

• Drawing in graphite instead of colour.

• Try charcoal for a looser style. Using vine charcoal on newsprint is great for this.

• Stand instead of sitting using your whole arm instead of just your hand.

• Use different, vibrant colours or just one (a monochrome), for example; draw a purple cat.

Exploring different materials or approaches can make drawing feel fresh again — like playing instead of performing.

Bonus: You might discover a new favourite medium or technique!

4. Learn Something New

Learning reactivates your creative brain — and reminds you why you fell in love with drawing in the first place.

Take a mini-course, watch a tutorial, or revisit a lesson you’ve already done. Even spending 10 minutes studying how to draw fur, eyes, or feathers can light a fire under your inspiration. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be creative.

Borrow an art book from the library or watch a new artist on YouTube.

Inside the Animal Artists Academy, we have step-by-step tutorials and monthly live calls designed to help you grow your skills and stay motivated. Whether you're tackling a new animal or refining your technique, there's always something new to explore.

5. Connect with Other Artists

Drawing can be a solitary activity — but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Find an art buddy.

Sharing your work (even when it’s not finished!), chatting with other artists, or joining a challenge together can give you fresh energy and accountability.

You can:

• Join a creative community or online group.

• Attend live or online workshops.

• Start a shared sketchbook project with a friend.

If you’re looking for a supportive, friendly space to stay inspired and keep learning, my membership community is open to you — a place where artists of all levels share wins, struggles, and creativity.

Final Thoughts

Inspiration doesn’t always arrive out of the blue. Sometimes, it shows up quietly — in the middle of a sketch challenge, a chat with a fellow artist, or a simple line drawn without expectation.

Here’s a quick recap:

1. Set fun, no-pressure challenges

2. Surround yourself with visual inspiration

3. Try a new medium or style

4. Learn something new

5. Connect with other creatives

What helps YOU stay inspired to draw? I'd love to hear!

And if you’re looking for structured support, fresh ideas, and a friendly place to grow as an artist, check out the Animal Artists Academy. Your next creative breakthrough might just be one sketch away.