How to figure out what to draw – Make Art That Sells

Lilla here. You know that feeling when you want to draw something, but you don’t know what to draw? Here’s what worked for me recently.

So here’s the scene. I’m curled up with a steamy espresso, journal, and fountain pen filled with red glitter ink—my morning routine. So far so good.

I’m craving making some art, but I don’t know what to draw. You would think I would know what I want to draw after decades and decades of teaching art, making art, agenting, illustrating, and owning pretty much every art supply. But no. I have no ideas. Nada.

So first I list the art things that I like doing these days.

Let me think … Lettering, Procreate, flowers with Latin names, vintage things, people, drawing packages with lettering on my iPad in Procreate, like this from my 30-Day Style Play challenge from last year.

But I still have no idea what to draw. Nada.

After lunch, my friend Schiffie comes over to my studio to finish sewing a pretty velvet top. She opts for the regular Bernina machine over the serger because of a tricky curved seam.

We settle in with our British Breakfast teas in thoughtfully chosen mugs; hers with honey and mine with honey and half-and-half. This is not an important detail, and it won’t be on the test, but it sets the cozy tone for what follows.

I use the time to do a little studio tidying. Not trying to figure out what to draw, just putting away this and that.

I spot this Ricola package that my daughter Natasha recently brought back from Germany for me.

Anybody who knows me well knows I love my Ricolas, so it was a touching gesture on her part. Plus, it’s got pretty little flowers with their names and lots of lettering. And hubby translated for me. Bingo.

Flowers, check.
Lettering, check.
Product package, check.
Sentimental, check.
Good to do in Procreate, check.
Sometimes things just fall into place.

It was fun to draw.