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Mastering Portrait Drawing: My Experience with the 100 Head Drawing Challenge

Updated: Apr 19, 2023



Drawing is a wonderful skill to have. Not only is it a great way to express your creativity, but it also has many benefits for your mental health. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, taking on drawing challenges can be a great way to improve your skills and push yourself to new heights.



One such challenge that has gained popularity in recent years is the "100 head drawing challenge". The idea is simple: draw 100 heads, either from reference or from your imagination. The goal is not necessarily to create 100 perfect drawings, but to push yourself to draw consistently and to improve your skills along the way.



I myself am currently 1/3 of the way through the #meds100heads challenge. I have to admit, it has been a tough journey so far. A couple of weeks ago, I experienced a burnout and found it hard to motivate myself to continue. But I pushed through, and I'm glad I did.



The benefits of drawing challenges like this one are numerous. For one, they can greatly increase your drawing skills. By committing to drawing consistently and challenging yourself to draw different faces and expressions, you'll improve your understanding of anatomy, lighting, and composition. You'll also develop your own style and learn to trust your instincts as an artist.



But the benefits don't stop there. Drawing challenges can also help you develop discipline and perseverance. The #meds100heads challenge, for example, is intense. Drawing 100 heads takes time and effort, and there will be days when you don't feel like drawing at all. But by committing to the challenge and sticking with it, you'll develop the discipline and perseverance necessary to succeed in any endeavor.



Drawing challenges can also be a great way to connect with other artists. By sharing your progress on social media or online forums, you can get feedback and support from other artists who are also taking on the challenge. You can also get inspiration from others' drawings and learn from their techniques.

Of course, there are also some challenges to taking on such a task. The pressure to produce a certain number of drawings in a certain amount of time can be daunting, and it's easy to get discouraged if you don't see immediate improvement. It's important to remember that drawing is a skill that takes time and practice to develop, and that progress often comes in small increments.



It's also important to take care of yourself while taking on a drawing challenge. As I mentioned earlier, I experienced burnout a couple of weeks ago. It's important to recognize when you need to take a break and give yourself time to recharge. Don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a day or two of drawing - just pick up where you left off and keep going.



Overall, I highly recommend taking on a drawing challenge like the #meds100heads challenge. It's a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone, improve your skills, and connect with other artists. Just remember to take care of yourself along the way, and don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go according to plan. Drawing challenges are all about growth and improvement, and every step along the way is a success.



Another benefit of taking on drawing challenges is that they can help you overcome creative blocks. As an artist, there will inevitably be times when you feel stuck and uninspired. By taking on a challenge, you give yourself a specific goal to work towards, which can help reignite your creativity and motivation. Additionally, by focusing on a specific subject matter, like heads in the #meds100heads challenge, you can narrow your focus and develop a deeper understanding of that subject.



Drawing challenges can also help you develop a routine for your art practice. By committing to drawing every day or every week, you create a habit of making art. This can be especially helpful if you struggle with consistency in your art practice. Also, by setting aside time specifically for drawing, you give yourself a break from the distractions of everyday life and allow yourself to focus on your creativity.


One thing to keep in mind when taking on a drawing challenge is to choose one that is appropriate for your skill level. While the #meds100heads challenge is a great challenge for intermediate to advanced artists, it may not be the best fit for beginners. There are plenty of other challenges out there that are better suited for those just starting out, such as daily sketch challenges or drawing prompts. It's important to find a challenge that will challenge you without overwhelming you.



It's also important to remember that drawing challenges are not a substitute for formal art education or practice. While they can help you improve your skills, they should be viewed as a supplement to other forms of learning and practice. It's important to continue to study anatomy, lighting, and other aspects of art in order to truly master the craft.



In conclusion, drawing challenges like the #meds100heads challenge can be a great way to improve your drawing skills, develop discipline and perseverance, connect with other artists, overcome creative blocks, and establish a routine for your art practice. However, it's important to choose a challenge that is appropriate for your skill level, take care of yourself along the way, and remember that drawing challenges are just one aspect of improving your art. With dedication and hard work, you can use drawing challenges as a tool to grow as an artist and achieve your creative goals.


I am locking this challenge so far, I hope you are enjoying following along with my progress.


Camile

xoxo

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