How to Start Drawing Again When You Feel Rusty or Out of Practice
If it’s been a while since you picked up a pencil or opened your sketchbook, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not too late. Life gets busy. Creative energy fades. Doubt creeps in. But here's the good news: your desire to draw again is all you need to begin.
This post is here to help you take those first steps with confidence, curiosity, and compassion for yourself.
You’re Not Starting from Zero
Even if it feels like you’ve forgotten everything, your past experience still lives in your hands, your eyes, and your creative instincts.
Skills may feel “rusty,” but they’re not gone. Think of it like getting back on a bike—wobbly at first, but your balance returns quicker than you think.
Your time away doesn't erase your passion. It simply makes your return that much more meaningful.
Start Small and Simple
You don’t need to dive into a full illustration or detailed scene on day one. In fact, keeping it light and low-pressure is key to building confidence again.
Try one of these gentle re-entry exercises:
Loose line doodles – Don’t aim for anything. Just move your pen freely on the page.
Copy something small – Like a teacup, leaf, or your own hand.
One-minute sketches – Set a timer and sketch quickly. Quantity over quality.
Draw from memory – A childhood toy, your favorite bird, or your pet—however you remember them.
These help reconnect your brain and hand without judgment.
Sketchbook Starter Prompts
If you're feeling unsure where to begin, here are a few low-pressure prompts to help you shake off the rust and get your creative brain moving again:
1. Draw a Corner of Your Favorite Room
Pick a small part—like a bookshelf, window, or cozy chair—and sketch what you see. No need for detail, just general shapes and lines.
2. Redraw Something You Loved Drawing as a Kid
Was it dragons? Horses? Cartoon characters? Revisit it and see how it feels to draw now.
3. Create a Page of Tiny Doodles
Fill a page with small objects: keys, plants, shells, hats—anything you can think of. Focus on quick shapes, not perfect lines.
4. Illustrate a Sound or Smell
What would the smell of fresh bread or the sound of rain look like? Get abstract or playful.
5. Design a Tiny Creature With a Big Personality
It could be a 2-inch tall forest guardian, a grumpy toad librarian, or a cloud that tells jokes. Let your imagination run.
Want More Prompts Like These?
If these are getting your creative wheels turning, I’ve made something special for you:
A free guide with 10 Sketchbook Starter Prompts you can print, tuck into your sketchbook, and return to anytime you're feeling stuck.
They’re designed to help you ease back into drawing gently—with no pressure, no perfection, and plenty of play.
👉 Click here to get your free guide
Ditch the Inner Critic
It’s easy to fall into comparison, especially if you scroll through social media before touching your sketchbook. That inner voice that says, “This isn’t good enough” or “I’ve lost it”—you can acknowledge it, but you don’t have to believe it.
Try replacing it with:
“I’m warming up—this is part of the process.”
“Every line is progress.”
“It doesn’t have to be good; it just has to be done.”
Let go of the need for perfect, and focus on present.
Set a Soft Goal
Instead of saying, “I need to draw for an hour every day,” try something more flexible and kind:
“I’ll open my sketchbook three times this week and draw something that catches my interest.”
A gentle goal helps you build momentum without pressure. And the more you show up, the easier it becomes to keep going.
Reconnect With What You Loved
Remember what made you want to draw in the first place. Was it animals? Fantasy worlds? Comics? Nature? Revisit those themes—not to make a masterpiece, but to reignite that spark. Draw what delights you, not what you think you should draw.
You’re Not Alone
So many artists stop drawing, and later feel scared to come back. But remember, you’re not the only one on this path. You’re part of a quiet, growing group of creatives rediscovering their passion at their own pace.
And guess what? There’s space for you here.
Want a bit more guidance?
If you’d love support, structure, and encouragement as you return to drawing, that’s exactly what I offer in my membership.
We focus on building confidence, understanding what you’re drawing (like anatomy), and creating a sustainable drawing practice - with community and compassion at the heart of it.
Click here to learn more about the Thriving Illustrator membership and to see if it is the right time for you.
Until next time. Stay creative!
Charmaine
