I Drew EVERY DAY for a MONTH (Here's What I Learned)

[@Chewiecavoodle]

Thanks for all your videos Leslie!! I’ve been watching your videos every night before going to bed as a form of relaxation. I even bought myself a mini sketchbook and palette kit to paint during my work lunch breaks.

[@LeslieStroz]

That’s so lovely to hear. I’m thrilled that you’re painting! ❤

[@nalissa77]

They all have their own charm. I can’t chose a favorite.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! ☺️

[@fathimamukaram7888]

Lovely Leslie! You have been the one and only source of inspiration for me to get back to drawing and painting after almost 2 decades. That being said it's very sad when you are so harsh upon yourself and don't like so much of your hard work. Art must bring happiness, there is so much else on the world that brings disappointment. All your drawings are perfect.

[@LeslieStroz]

I’m so happy that I’ve inspired you to return to art! Yes, I realised when editing this that I was a pretty harsh critic. 😅

[@cherylclough4309]

These are wonderful! I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Those castles and lighthouses are incredible. Kudos to you to stick to the challenge even when you were feeling finished with the project.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks! It helped having all of the online interest, and knowing others were drawing at the same time. 😊

[@persephone.k]

These are absolutely gooorgeous! I think you should know that you have inspired me to pick up on drawing, sth I haven’t really done in a very long time. Thanks for sharinggg!

[@donnakelly8911]

Wow, they are all fabulous. I don't have words for how they touched my heart just looking at them. Thank you for sharing.

[@pat4005]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work! ❤ Your video is inspiring.

[@begonaurrutikoetxea2582]

Fantastic work, Leslie! I LOVE them all but if I had to choose one category, I'd go for the shop fronts, packed with wonderfully depicted details. I felt like being there... And the kitties... ❤❤❤

[@ruthloewen3884]

Gorgeous sketches! Love the cats, first, but the brickwork on the shopfronts is amazing. Also, as you mentioned, some of the foreground flora is wonderful. I hope you'll share them all once they are painted. And I'm heartened that you spent so much time on making your sketches detailed; I seem not to be able to stop doing that, even when I tell myself I'm going to be 'looser'. I find the detailed work puts me in a flow state.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! I am normally looser with these Housetober drawings, but this year I was really into making them detailed. It was a LOT of work, but in retrospect I’m glad I did it. 😊

[@evelynpeavy]

I love these. Thank you for sharing them, and for taking on this challenge. I’d like to know more about how you print out copies to paint. What kind of printer, ink, and paper do you use?

[@nalissa77]

@@evelynpeavy Me too!

[@LeslieStroz]

I’ll make a video about it! 😊

[@nalissa77]

@ Awesome!

[@lorrie6736]

Hi Leslie, would you consider making a video of how you transfer your drawings to watercolor paper? What printer you use, how to make multiple copies of the same drawing to paint? This would be very helpful to save time and money going to a printing service like Office Max. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pen and ink drawings.

[@LeslieStroz]

It’s very simple- I take the originals to my printer with watercolour paper and he prints them for me. 😊

[@cadernodemoda]

It seems that she uses a printer service, a bureau, not a printer machine. But you can do it at home with a laser printer. The ink jet is not apropriated, because the ink leaks with water.

[@anikaabdullah8873]

These remind me of the books with illustrations I used to read as a kid. Always loved this style!

[@alittlebitofshiny]

Wow, wow, WOW - absolutely stunning drawings!!!!!! Love them all! What an amazing achievement. I do so love your channel and have learned so much. Thank you thank you thank you. Xx

[@LeslieStroz]

Awww, thank you! 🥰

[@laineyart]

Eilean Donan Castle is a nice one. My friend was married there, and I used to pass it on the road to Skye a lot. Beautiful

[@LeslieStroz]

Oh how cool! I’d like to visit someday.

[@ccooper8785]

@@LeslieStroz If you ever make it across then Castle Stalker is another beaut if you are into the "castles on islands" thing. Remember to pack extra drawing supplies 😁

[@madebylora]

Such a lovely collection! Can’t wait to see some of them with colour too. Too hard to pick a favourite, but I did recognise the Welsh tower. I remember being there as a kid and taking loads of photos of it and the reflections in the water. (I wonder if I still have any of those photos in a box somewhere?)

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! How lovely to have childhood memories of the intake tower. I hope you find your childhood photos. 😊

[@julianepahor]

i just loved everything! soooo beautiful! congratssssss

[@carmengomez-munoz4723]

I too have always loved lighthouses! All of your drawings are spectacular !

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! Lighthouses are one of my favourite buildings to draw.

[@lisadixon5886]

Me three 😊

[@lisapolidora4659]

I love all of them. My favorites are the lighthouses. You're work is very inspirational. I can't wait to find time to get started on some of my own.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! I hope you find the time soon. 😊

[@annferguson3581]

I love them all, Leslie. Their detail and the time you took make me happy 😊 I think my favourite is the houseboat with the cat…or the snowy cottage. Just delightful 😊

[@jennyburden444]

Welcome back. Lovely to look through all your drawings. The castle that you were not sure about i think is Neuschwanstein Castle., in Bavaria, Germany. Also, you may like to show your daughter the drawings of a Lincolnshire artist (sadly passed now i think) called Colin Carr. He was famous for including little cats in pretty every painting he did.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! I’ve just looked up Colin Carr’s work- how charming! I love that playful, illustrative style. ❤

[@tabbi888]

They look wonderful 😍 stunning work ❤

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you so much. 😊

[@Suebee1988]

My favorite is the first castle in Scotland, although I fear that one might have been AI-generated as I couldn't find it identified in an online search. I did some sleuthing on the other images, although I don't know if you want to go through the bother of updating the identifications in your video: The first "1880" barn photo was taken by Michael Danielson in New Albany, Pennsylvania. The first historic rock church is St. Olaf Kirke, near Clifton, Texas. The second church is The Church of Maria Gern in Berchtesgadener Land, Bavaria, Germany. The third church is The Christ Lutheran Church of Bazile Mills, Nebraska. The third clock tower is, I believe, Ledbury Clock Tower in Herefordshire, England. The ivy-covered clock tower looks to be an AI-generated image.

[@LeslieStroz]

Ooooh thanks for all of the information!! Sadly, I can’t edit the video after it’s posted, but I really appreciate knowing the details! 😊

[@bfranklin1052]

Wow, Leslie--what a huge accomplishment. I found myself really drawn to the pieces that were further back on the page and with some perspective rather than straight on, regardless of theme. I also loved many little elements in many of the drawings that are absolute treasures. In particular a street lamp on the left side of the Tudor Clock Tower--the detail is lovely and the glass is perfect. You can almost see it glow! Thank you for this tour!

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! Yes, I think the more detailed compositions are my favourites too, though they do take a lot longer! 😊

[@juliadixon-smith5416]

I really enjoyed looking at your drawings for October. When time is limited each day to complete another drawing is hard not all can be as good as each other. I did buildings for my Inktober this year and like you some were more successful than others too. Don’t be too hard on yourself and give yourself credit for having completed the challenge.😊

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks, and good for you for doing the challenge too! I’m probably harder in myself here because they are still new. I tend to like my work better after a few months or years have gone by. 😊

[@sharonsunshine2532]

The 1st lighthouse was my favorite. Leslie your work is just beautiful. If I could draw 1/14 as well as you I would be thrilled. Keep doing what you do. Big hugs, much love and and God bless. ❤

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks, Sharon! You can definitely learn to draw! 😊

[@pesto12601]

Your Day 1 looks like my Day 45000... lol... some people...

[@LeslieStroz]

To be fair, I’ve been drawing my entire long life and also have a few art degrees. 😅

[@fabiomendes2165]

The same here kkkk😅😅😅

[@MarikitKaNa]

You have to understand that she's been doing this a long time, so you think it's actual day 1, but that's backed by decades of work and time she's put in.

[@pesto12601]

@@MarikitKaNa Oh I understand.. it is clickbait and darn it - I fell for it!

[@MarikitKaNa]

​@@pesto12601it's not really clickbait, there is no lie in the title or video, she didn't say she had never drawn before, she's part of the youtube art community

[@davidschefter4160]

Beautiful work! You have a real soft, clear relaxing voice.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you!!😊

[@LesleyKing-1905]

Well done!!! These are really beautiful, the extra time on them was so worth it. Hope you are going to share the paintings. A previous person asked for details of how you are going to transfer them, that would be really useful 😊

[@LeslieStroz]

I’ll be painting them throughout the year. And yes, I’ll make a video of how I make copies! 😊

[@pegboyd4312]

Hi Leslie, I enjoyed listening to this video this morning as I was frying chicken on my back patio. Just listening inspired ideas I had not done for some time. Thank you.

[@LeslieStroz]

How lovely that I kept you company as you cooked. I’m glad I was able to share my ideas with you. 😊

[@deborahmeyers551]

You should be sooooo very proud of yourself everyone of the beautiful artworks are stunning congratulations 🩷

[@douglasnoren3348]

Wow! The amount of work and care you put into these is amazing and inspirational!

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@sacrebleu1371]

You mention possibly enlarging the white barn. I like the balance in how it's in thirds and the fields/nature adding to it. The hay densities create good lines to draw the eye inward! There is consistent 'story telling', either direct or through window reflections... interesting textures, plus well planned use of empty space. Beautiful work, (for reasons mentioned and many more not included).

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks! Part of the balance on that one will be the clouds, but I like to keep my skies open and not draw in clouds because I love a nice watercolour sky. 😊

[@janlorman7700]

Lovely work. Fun to watch what you decided to draw. ❤️👍

[@Flora-v6u]

These are all just beautiful, such perfect detail. Some of my favourites are the third bookshop for its beautiful oriel window, Eilean Donan because I’ve loved it since I first saw it when I was a child & the Totnes clock tower which is so instantly recognisable. But honestly I’d be over the moon if I could draw even one of them. I gave up on ink after a few days doing ‘faces’ because I just couldn’t shade them without making the subjects look diseased! 😱 But I switched to pencil & got on better. I found your preparation video really helpful, thank you & I’m so pleased I finished the month. Thank you for sharing your month - it’s been inspiring to see. I’d love to see how you use masking fluid to create those beautiful textures.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks so much! I think ink is difficult with portraiture, and definitely wouldn’t be my first choice. Pencil or charcoal are much softer and easier to get to look like skin, so it sounds like you’re on the right track!

[@juditszepessy8936]

I love to catch your videos! I love the idea of this challenge and thank you for the inspiration! Of course, I cam do only much simpler drawings. :)

[@cyberwymn]

I loved all of your drawings in your series. The storefronts are cool and look fun to paint. What I have been doing for inspiration lately is going to Google Earth for images to draw. It's fun to travel the world in your chair to get ideas. You can get different angles as opposed to just one in a photo. You do run into challenges at times in street view, but that is where artistic license comes in and you can put your own spin on it. The other cool thing about it is, you know exactly where it is if you ever want to see it in real life. It's really a lot of fun, and I learn things about a area I've never been to. Take care! 😊

[@LeslieStroz]

Google Earth is such a great resource! I need to get better at learning how to use it. 😊

[@jemmavonhoff1548]

I would love to watch more videos of this content. Love the old stores!

[@tzarka]

Wow ❤ Pretty sure I've been to that Sundae Sunday store in Whitstable, so that was nice to see. Brilliant work as always 👍👋 The clock tower with vines is definitely my favourite.

[@LeslieStroz]

That looks like such a sweet store! 😊

[@simonettahelena986]

Your artwork is beautiful! 😍

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! 😊

[@greenjewel8652]

Im going to try this soon because you have inspired me for improvement. I will try to give myself some grace and patience in the process. Thank you

[@LeslieStroz]

You can do it! I’d recommend choosing a month that doesn’t have a lot of other things going on. 😊

[@jude1515]

Beautiful drawings and I like that you mention the pens you use. Thanks.

[@LeslieStroz]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@jacquelinefreeman6537]

Greetings from Massachusetts. Wow, so impressive, I am inspired but don’t expect to approach this accomplishment. You should be very proud of this body of work.

[@buymywings]

Wow!! 😮 I’m amazed at the work and detail you achieved in the time allotted, and that you came out of the challenge still loving it. So inspiring, Leslie!!❤

[@LeslieStroz]

It was exhausting! But I’m proud of myself for sticking it out. It’s always good when you’ve had a few disappointments to remind yourself that there are always better days ahead. 😊

[@IAmScottD]

Very cool Leslie! Thanks for sharing your excellent work!

[@LeslieStroz]

My pleasure 😊

[@betzie_paintz2284]

Beautiful! I love all your drawings!

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks so much. 😊

[@bobbibrady9649]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Would you tell me the size of your antique clipboard. Thank you for sharing, I look all the time for new videos from you. I'm addicted to drawing.

[@LeslieStroz]

My pleasure! The clipboard is roughly 15x22.5mm (a bit smaller than 6x9). You can definitely find similar ones. 😊

[@DonnetteStewart]

Absolutely gorgeous work! Your talent and dedication are inspiring and amazing! ❤❤❤

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@Charlotte-ow3vi]

For your barn with the brick silo, perhaps consider putting an old plow half hidden in the grass in the foreground. I grew up on a farm and my dad had the old implements hanging around. Watching the barns fade away saddens me too 😪

[@LeslieStroz]

Great idea! I couldn’t do it now, since I’d have to leave space for it, but next time.

[@Saucy444]

Really fantastic drawings. Well done !

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! 😊

[@sarahmcarthur9107]

Well I loved it all, and in reference to which would be my favorite lighthouse, I'd have to say I'm partial to the Yaquina lighthouse, as I grew up (and spent my first 60 years) in Oregon, so I'm pretty biased. I've actually stayed in the Heceta lighthouse (the residence building is next to the actual lighthouse), which is just a bit south of the Yaquina lighthouse. I've just taken pictures of the Fort Worden lighthouse and the Fort Flagler lighthouse in Washington; the west coast is pretty unbeatable in terms of scenery. You've inspired me to try to draw them, though my drawings will be very much beginner-looking. Thanks for putting these out here, and I'll keep looking for more, as I learn from it all! ❤️

[@LeslieStroz]

That’s incredible! And what a treasured memory to have stayed in one of the lighthouses. I wish they still made them like this.

[@pibarrante6901]

Ive been looking forward to 'the next video' ..and here it is!

[@LeslieStroz]

Awww. Yes, I was visiting family and there was no spare time at all for editing. But I’m back home now! 😊

[@LarasArtLandd]

Your drawing skills are very high ...❤

[@debsmith7050]

Thanks for sharing your talents with us. These are delightful

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks, Deb! 😊

[@yesicagomez7721]

I would love to see you paint all of these!

[@jeanetteanderson3912]

Loved all of your beautiful drawings absolutely gorgeous ❤️

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you so much 😊

[@essietangle9931]

When you showed that open book, I thought your drawings need to be in a book.❤️

[@LeslieStroz]

Awww ❤

[@essietangle9931]

@@LeslieStroz not kidding, for each one, a black and white page and a color page.

[@AbiNomac]

I love your drawing style

[@Bonserak23]

Most light house keepers went mad from the mercury poisoning, alcoholism and isolation, I don't know how romantic that is. lol

[@Logoslover]

These are all amazing!

[@jodieholley627]

This was so helpful! Thank you

[@ladygwarth]

Gorgeous, inspirational drawings, thank you.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! 😊

[@sallyreff2574]

They're all beautiful 😍

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! ❤

[@ellanitaarlee8749]

Wow! Absolutely stunning!

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks so much. ☺️

[@balaji47]

I enjoyed watching this video and the beautiful pen and ink sketches that you have made. Thank you. I would like to try and sketch or paint some of the subjects using your sketches as reference. Would that be okay with you? You have also mentioned that you add watercolour washes to the copies that you make. I was under the impression that printer ink is not waterproof. Do you use a special type of printer ink?

[@sukyechen8753]

Is it the Neuschwanstein Castle perhaps?

[@CrystalBallASMR]

That was my thought too. The Inspo for disneys Cinderella castle

[@LeslieStroz]

Oh, could be! Thank you! 😊

[@JeffreyBritigan]

I like the one with the ivy growing at the side

[@karenirving7088]

I loved the shopfronts especially the bookstore with the cat

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! ☺️

[@patess369]

Hi Leslie, May I ask what printer you use to transfer the drawings onto watercolor paper? Thank you kindly. Pat

[@LeslieStroz]

I go to the local printer in a nearby town. One who can do art prints and not just make photocopies. 😊

[@kayak8919]

I am very curious to know what printer you use with ink that holds up to watercolor AND that can handle the thickness of watercolor paper .... thank you in advance--I love your work!

[@gillinacook1477]

Wow, Beautiful drawings. 😮

[@simonnemason2162]

Really Fabulous. What a lot of hard work😊

[@LeslieStroz]

I’m still recovering! 😅

[@maruprats5255]

I love your work. Could you kindly send me the tile of paper you print your work on to paint them later? You use watercolors, correct? Thank you for your feedback!

[@LeslieStroz]

I usually use Bockingford watercolour paper because it’s good and also fairly affordable.

[@My_dreamy_world_2024]

I love how you draw 😍🤍

[@felicitycrowe6971]

These drawings are amazing! Something I could only ever dream of being able to do! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I have a question about the fourth (favourite) clock tower (with the vines): does the top tendril coming from the left go behind the spire??? That just seems a little bit odd given the size of the leaves as it implies that that vine is further away than the clocktower… or maybe it is my eyesight and it does actually come across in front and I am completely wrong … or maybe I am completely seeing the perspective incorrectly … I know that this is going to seem completely nit picky to everyone else, but the rest of the drawings seem so completely perfect to me, and I really do adore this drawing as well, so that tiny little detail kind of stuck out and made me a bit “uncomfortable”. I’m sure if I had seen the source image it would make sense, but it just made me wonder about whether the tendril comes in front or behind …

[@LeslieStroz]

I looked at my reference image and the foliage in the foreground is very blurry. I believe it was taken with an inexpensive camera. But yes, that branch should be in FRONT of the building. Well spotted. 😊

[@felicitycrowe6971]

@ thank you for sorting that out for me!

[@Lyran7]

I thought it was a deck of cards at first 😅👓 lovely collection 😊💚

[@LeslieStroz]

I’d love to make a deck of cards some day. 😊

[@sarajamal799]

Beautiful art!

[@nt0020]

Love all your drawings...

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you so much 😊

[@caterinalupo9061]

Wonderful works

[@SukhdeepSingh-hh3tw]

The third clock tower you have show i have already sketched and painted the last month, that clock tower is located in Germany.& My most fovourite HOUSETOBER is that third cottage that nearly looks like a hobbit house where some laundries are hanging out in bright sunny day So rather then all i liked all those sketches🦫

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks for letting me know! It felt a lot like Germany to me. And yes, Hobbit houses have such appeal! 😊

[@garcinnathalie4115]

Tout est magnifiquement beau 🥰😍🤗

[@LeslieStroz]

Merci! ❤

[@garcinnathalie4115]

@LeslieStroz ❤️

[@MegaRich7]

How many years have you been drawing for before day 1?

[@janefan1216]

How did you capture a "sketch" look? Do you think the texture of the paper helped, or made it more challenging in making straight lines?

[@LeslieStroz]

The textured paper definitely helps, but part of it is also holding lightly on the pen and not being too heavy handed. 😊

[@janefan1216]

@LeslieStroz Oh, good idea!💡 Thank you for the tips!

[@ИринаШвалова-ы1ш]

Wow❤

[@orangeskythinking]

Lovely stuff. ✨🌈✨

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! 😊

[@preetphoenix1]

You've been missed in your absence ❤☺️🌻

[@LeslieStroz]

Awww. ❤ I was visiting my mom in the US but I’m back now! 😊

[@ollekoos2071]

As a poor artist( with a much-much longer years of experience and full 13 years of officially studying)) i feel really "astonished" seeing all these "tools"!!!!

[@ARTANDARTIST-artandartist]

Fantastic

[@subterraneanhomesickalien]

how do u get watercolour paper through a printer?

[@LeslieStroz]

I take it to my printer, who has special machines. 😊

[@izabelakin4740]

😍😍😍

[@pamupton6020]

I did wonder why you used masking fluid in a black ink drawing.

[@LeslieStroz]

It gives wonderful effects. 😊

[@jschwederslp]

If you use Google Lens with the original picture you maybe able to locate the places you are unsure of. Thank you for the video!

[@LeslieStroz]

Oooh great idea! Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@SHHItsJustLife]

I am new here. These are beautiful.

[@LeslieStroz]

Welcome! And thank you. 😊

[@jezza_wut]

❤❤❤❤

[@agniyaa8026]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@ИльяОвчинников-и7г]

Офигенно нарисовано, вы крутая

[@jeannekasten56]

Were you able to get permission to draw from other people's photos? I've always read that you have to do that to avoid copyright issues, but I don't know if your creative changes would have eliminated that need. I know I've seen artists ask photographers for their permission to paint their photos, and I've done that myself, but I would like to know more about the nuances of the issue.

[@sabinechristiansen4958]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@juliawhite7938]

Wow These are amazing! I didn’t see your Pinterest link can you please add it. Thanks so much.

[@LeslieStroz]

Oops… thanks for reminding me! It’s up now! :)

[@leannet3854]

Wow

[@JeffreyBritigan]

My favorite picture is the hobbit house