TASK: Draw or paint at least 15 different types of buildings, which can include generalshape, region style, era style, or otherwise.

These drawings do not have to be detailed or even completely accurate. Creating the buildings using basic shapes and colors works just as well as a detailed drawing.

TASK: Create a portrait, landscape, or scene and focus on the different kinds of edges each element/part would need.

Knowing when to make an edge hard, soft, bright, or dark can help determine the focus in a piece of artwork. In order to practice edges you need a good understanding of what edges are, which you can learn about here & here.

A general example of what you can use different edges for:

• Use soft or blended edges to draw attention away from an area or bring unity to two or more things.
• Use hard edges to draw attention to something, or add contrast.
• Use light or dark edges for a mix of all things listed above.

This knowledge is most useful for painted works, or work with value.

TASK: Combine 2-3 different cultural clothing in whatever way you’d like to create new or interesting designs.

1. Use this link to get 2-3 random countries.
2. Using Google, or any search engine, search for each country individually, followed by the word “clothing” or “traditional clothing.” (Example: If one of the countries is France, you would search for “France clothing” or France traditional clothing.”)
3. Browse the image results.
4. Use the clothing styles you find for each country and find a way to mix them together to create an interesting outfit.
5. Optional: Add other clothing, accessories, etc.

This exercise is a way to assist yourself creatively.

TASK: Starting with a completely black canvas or paper, build up an image using white or gray.

Make it up as you go, use a sketch for reference, or find a dark photo to try and imitate.

Extra challenge: Try not to use any black or dark grays to fix mistakes.

TASK: Illustrate at least 5 of the following, using references:

• Freckles
• Mole(s)
• Wart(s)
• Acne
• Blister
• Aging spots
• Visible veins (internal)
• Light bruise
• Serious bruise
• A fresh scratch
• A fresh, deep cut
• A recently healed cut or scratch
• An old scar

TASK: Study and draw at least 5 different animals, focusing on their anatomy.

Try to illustrate at least a couple of these things for each animal:

• Bone structure
• Muscles
• Proportions
• How far certain body parts can move, or how they operate
• Details of the face, or distinguishable parts
• Variety of common movements or idle poses
• The differences between one species to another in that family, or similar animals

If you already draw animals, choose 5 animals you’ve never drawn or pick 5 you haven’t studied the anatomy of.

TASK: Take any image, photo, or old drawing, flip it upside-down, then try to draw it as accurately as possible.

The purpose of this exercise, if done often enough, can teach you how to draw things as you see them, instead of drawing what you think you see. This could be useful to anyone that’s been drawing for a while and has developed a bad habit.

Tip: Try using contour or blind contour.

TASK: Draw a person, object, or scenery using at least 4 different line-weights.

It can take a while to understand or master line-weight. While there is no rule written in stone, here are a few tips about when to apply certain line-weights:

• Thin lines are wonderful for details, for small, light (weight), bright, and/or distant objects.
• Thick lines are great for large things, parts in shadow, for important, heavy, and/or close objects.
• Line breaks can illustrate two objects touching.
• Limbs and other protrusions tend to get thicker as they near the body or main part of the object.

Helpful line-weight tutorials:

• http://tentopet.livejournal.com/12935.html
• http://www.ctrlpaint.com/home/2011/8/30/the-power-of-line-weight.html

TASK: Draw a landscape in 1-point, 2-point, and 3-point perspective.

If you’re new to perspective, or the idea of drawing landscapes intimidates you, draw simple objects instead. Once you’re comfortable with how perspective works, move on to trying to create your own world or drawing what you see around you.

Some helpful guides to perspective:

• The Perspective Tutorial
• Perspective and Composition p.1 p.2