Drawing (and swimming round) a rock

I simply bought again from every week at Pōhara seaside, on the high of New Zealand’s South Island. For me, it’s a particular seaside — I’ve been there nearly each summer season for greater than 30 years.

At the top of the seaside is a rock. It’s in all probability been there for greater than 30 million years.

At excessive tide, the seaside vanishes, and the rock turns into an island. It’s in regards to the dimension of a Suzuki Swift, however with fewer wheels and extra mussels.

On the primary afternoon, I swam down and round this island. It took about 20 minutes — lengthy sufficient that it was an effort, however not so lengthy that it was tough.

The subsequent day, I did it once more.

By the third day, swimming across the rock was one thing I had to do day by day. I deliberate my days round excessive tide, and swam when the situations had been proper.

On the vacation, I drew day by day too. The two issues are literally fairly related.

• The rock was a transparent and apparent marker. I had both swum round it, or I hadn’t. Drawing in a guide is obvious too – both the web page is clean, otherwise you made a mark on it.

• Swimming across the rock takes about 20 minutes, which is sufficient time to do a drawing too. I can normally discover (or make) 20 minutes of spare time, even on a busy day.

• The hardest a part of swimming is placing your head underneath water. Once your hair is moist, it’s possible you’ll as properly proceed. With drawing, the primary marks are the toughest; as soon as one thing is on the web page, conserving going is lots simpler.

• Both are small actions that stack up and get simpler over time. Swimming felt simpler every day — if I stayed for longer, it might get simpler nonetheless.

• Both are finest completed when the situations are proper – swim at excessive tide, draw when there’s sufficient power. Get the timing proper.

I’m again dwelling now, and never swimming across the rock, however I’m maintaining my each day drawing behavior. I went via a fairly busy spell on the finish of final yr and didn’t make sufficient time to attract. I’m harnessing the momentum from the journey and maintaining the behavior.

If you wish to draw day by day, make it clear, easy, and achievable. Swim round a rock.

Happy drawing,
Andrew

PS. I’m going to Norway 🇳🇴 ! From 7-9 August I’ll be in Oslo for a weekend workshop “Wonkiness that works: four keys to fearless drawing”. I’ve by no means been to Scandinavia earlier than and I’m already excited. Click the button for particulars and tickets 🙂

Tickets

Sketchbook membership—the paid part of this article— might be drawing collectively on Sunday 25 January at 9am New Zealand time. We’ll draw some rocks! Details and hyperlink are within the put up under.