Tips To Help You Build Confidence To Draw Outside

Have you been curious about outdoor sketching but too shy or nervous to start? Drawing in public can be intimidating and scary. It can be hard to figure out what to draw in an array of choices. There's also the concern of a nosy passerby.

I used to feel very nervous to draw outside. But, over the last two years, I have been venturing away from my desk and drawing outdoors. It has been a rewarding experience. So, if you would like to do the same, here is a list of tips that helped me overcome my nerves and sketch outside without feeling self-conscious.

1. Look for local meetups that draw outside in groups. It's a lot less intimidating to draw outside as a part of a gathering of artists.

2. Find things in your surroundings that inspire you to draw. Is the scenery going to be the focus? Or the people or the colours? Sketch the scenes that light you up.

3. Start with a quick thumbnail so you don't get overwhelmed by all the details. Experiment with various compositions before settling on an idea.

4. Stay focused on your drawing and the environment, rather than people's reactions to your artwork. Don't worry about people who stare and what their judgements of your work might be. Most people are just curious. Nosy people, they are generally inquisitive and supportive.

5. If you are self-conscious, try wearing a cap and big headphones. I find that people typically don't disturb people with headphones.

6. Make a list of places that interest you that you'd like to revisit to spend time drawing there. Mark it in your calendar and make an artist's date with yourself on this day.

7. Remember that doing something for the first time will always be nerve-wracking and it gets easier with every try. The same goes for sketching outdoors.

8. Choose a portable sketchbook as a travel companion and make drawing a part of your daily life.

Once you have built up the confidence to draw outdoors, you'll realise it's not as bad as you thought it could be.

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