I wonder if you have heard that in Queensland, Australia, my home town and surrounding district experienced devastation in the form of flash flooding? These instant walls of water ripped apart families and homes within minutes and without warning. It stuns me how quickly life can be upended and any sense of normality becomes a distant memory.

Even though it is difficult, whenever disaster strikes it is up to us to continue forward and show the courage needed to honor our fellow countrymen.

Thankfully, drawing offers solace to help us through these times of distress. As the old saying goes, it's onwards and upwards (heavy heart and all).

So, I thought this new year would be a good time to start a new habit because it's an easy date to remember for measuring your progress throughout the year.

If you are really keen to draw but you always feel unsure about where to start, well, maybe it will help you to focus on finding your rhythm.

If you remember just a couple of simple points that I share with you, you will find rhythm and you'll never struggle to start a drawing again.

It only takes 30 days to form a habit so take heart, a solution is here and it's easy to implement!

Finding rhythm and drawing quickly go hand in hand. You can't pick up a rhythm with a slow and trembling stroke.

Rhythm is just as important in drawing as it is in music. Once your hand is tuned into this rhythm, your drawing displays an energy and vitality that is very appealing.

It's normal for beginner artists to draw tentatively but the sooner you practice fluid strokes, the faster you build confidence and advance.

Rhythm also helps you easily find any change of direction so the contours just flow from your pencil. You can tell by the feel of it that everything is right.

By practicing with simple outlines, you can learn how rhythm works for you. It takes some practice but wouldn't it be fun to test it out?

Constantly try to draw with speed by making several sketches in a day. Sign and date them so you can trace the amount of your effort and progress.

Oh, and remember these tips:

• Use a cheap sketchbook when you are learning to draw so you don't experience anxiety if you produce some failures.


• Avoid drawing on both sides of your paper just in case one drawing is well worth preserving.


• Don't be afraid to try to draw, overcome fear and become best friends with your pencil.

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