Jace Lee Anderson

Writing is more than just words on a page; it’s an exploration of self, a way to bring meaning to the world around you, and a path toward deeper expression. Whether you’re journaling, crafting poetry, or writing lyrics, each word you choose can shape perspective, evoke emotion, and open new doors of creativity. Think of your mind as a tool—one that thrives when used in unexpected ways. Through practice, curiosity, and play, you can refine your ability to express yourself with clarity, depth, and originality. The key? Approach writing with a sense of wonder and allow yourself to experiment. Let go of judgment. Let go of labels like “good” or “bad.” Instead, embrace writing as a way to connect—with yourself, with others, and with the vast world of ideas. * * * A Daily Practice Each morning, challenge yourself: write for 10 minutes, no more, no less. Don’t worry about structure, rhyme, or logic. Just let your thoughts flow as words spill onto the page. Use your senses to describe what com...

A sketchbook isn’t just a collection of pages—it’s a space for play, discovery, reflection, practice, and artistic growth. Each page is an opportunity to experiment, sharpen your skills, and bring your imagination to life. More than just a record of progress, your sketchbook is a reflection of your life and evolution. Let your sketchbook be a place where you explore without fear, create without hesitation, and grow without limits. The Sketchbook Manifesto is a structured yet flexible approach designed to help artists of all levels—beginners, intermediates, and professionals—build confidence, train the eye and hand, and develop essential artistic skills. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by a blank page or unsure of what to draw next, this guide will provide direction and inspiration. * * * Warming Up: Preparing Your Hand and Mind Before diving into detailed work, warm-ups help loosen your hand, build muscle memory, and refine control. Think of them as stretching before exercise—they set ...

What if, for once, you let yourself make something ugly on purpose? No pressure, no expectations—just pure, unfiltered expression. What if your journal, your sketchbook, or even just a scrap of paper became a space to honor the messiness of life itself? This is an invitation to take a vow of Ugly Devotion—a commitment to letting go, to creating freely, to showing up for the process rather than the outcome. It's about embracing the joy of making something purely for yourself, without worrying about skill, meaning, or whether it's "good." * * * The Rules (or Lack Thereof) Let Go of Perfection. This isn’t about getting better at drawing. It’s about getting better at letting go. Make Ugly Art on Purpose. Scribble. Smudge. Clash colors. Make your lines shaky and uneven. Let your drawings be weird, awkward, or nonsensical. Create Without an Audience. No one has to see it. This is just for you. Turn the Mundane into Magic. Draw your coffee cup, your messy desk, your own tire...

This creative challenge will push your artistic boundaries and help you to grow as an artist. In the 1000 Drawings Challenge, you will build your skills, explore different subjects, and develop a personal style. Apply any medium and approach to the term 'drawing' that interests you the most. I took over a year to complete the challenge myself, and here are a few ideas that I found useful to keep in mind: Track Your Progress : Date everything. Write notes on what you did well, what you can improve on, what you enjoyed, and what surprised you. Keep a record of your drawings to see how you improve over time. Embrace Imperfections : This challenge is not about creating perfect drawings but about growth and exploration. Mistakes are more valuable than accuracy, allow yourself to make them and to learn from them. Each drawing is a step forward, and progress is more important than perfection. Set Realistic Goals : Break down the challenge into manageable milestones such as ten minutes...

This guide is all text-based to make it easy for the aspiring artist to digest. It is all completely free, so come back as often as you would like and invite any friends who might find this useful. I also suggest that you bookmark this page so you can always return and reread the lessons as needed. This is about what it takes to create beautiful artwork. This is about how someone can become a more confident and deliberate designer. But remember that learning to improve will not always pay dividends straight away. In fact, you may even get WORSE as you take a step back and fix bad habits. Take the time to understand and remember the fundamentals and use this knowledge to make informed decisions, rather than wild guesses.