First Drawing Back From Maternity Leave (Super Awkward...)

If only there was a moment in time when you’ve “made it”. When you didn’t have to work hard anymore and you could just enjoy the fruits of your labor without the reality of backsliding. But, at least with art‚ that isn’t an option. When you take time away, you naturally lose some of that muscle memory and fine motor skills. It’s just hard to come back after a break (yes, even if you’re naturally talented!)

I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I took a break. A long one. We welcomed our 4th child in April and suddenly it’s March (of the next year) an I haven’t drawn anything serious in all that time. While my hands have been fun and it’s definitely been a wonderful year, I haven’t even had a chance to THINK about drawing something. I’m thankful for the time off, but I am anxious to get back into the rhythm of drawing and creating a little more and eventually work towards taking on client work again (eventually).

And thus this video was born! In true, draw with me style, I’ll take you along with me as I draw my first flower drawing after/during maternity leave. It’s uncomfortable and awkward for me but I hope it will serve as some encouragement for you if you’re coming back to drawing after a break.

While the drawing that we create in this draw-with-me video with might not seem as incredibly rusty as you might expect, some of it is the discomfort and mental strength needed to get there. I was NOT comfortable during the filming of this video. Probably more so because I was filming it, but the pencil didn’t feel right in my hands and my brain felt distracted instead of quieted and confident as I approached the paper. Like returning to a workout routine after being sick or a break, it feels good to create again… but it’s far from easy and fluid! I hope that this video is a fun encouragement for you if you’re coming back from a break. That we can relate to the discomfort together and work through the gross parts of revisiting an exercise side by side.

And even if this wasn’t your cup of tea, tomorrow’s video will highlight some of my favorite tips for improving your drawings. Taking those rusty, unfinished drawings and adding a little polish to make them beautiful.

You can watch part 2 here: https://katrinacrouch.com/blog/easy-drawing-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-instantly

Watch on YouTube