This Daily Challenge Improves My Art EVERY TIME (let's prepare)

[@LeslieStroz]

If you’d like to join me this October and want to share your work, you can post it on Instagram with the hashtag #Housetober. Or you can join my Patreon where I’ll be posting all of my reference images and drawings for each theme. 🤗 www.patreon.com/lesliestrozart

[@pootlingalong8928]

Thank you for stopping by this rainy, thundery afternoon Leslie. I would like to do “Inktober” with a view to doing as much line and wash tiny paintings as I can, with maybe some postcard sized efforts thrown in 🤗

[@LeslieStroz]

Doing a tiny-tober would be so much fun! 😊 I thought about posting this tomorrow, but with this rain it seemed like a good day for a video. ☔️🌧️

[@miafarone68]

Great idea about printing the drawings at the printer to paint later! Thanks Leslie! I ❤ your channel!

[@-MEL16-A.O.C]

Thank you for all thoses explanations on this "event" I've really enjoyed your versions of it the years before 🥰🥰🥰🥰 !!!! I'm happy to be by your side this year too for it 😉😊👍 Thank you Leslie bises😘❤

[@AMD-Amd316]

I really like ur videos they r reliefs, I used to study the whole day and I will take ur video as break before my night class❤ plz keep uploading more and more

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks so much. Good luck with your studies! 😊

[@FaithAnnNB]

I think this might be a type of daily challenge I could manage. I don’t like trying to think of what to draw/paint for a specific prompt that someone else provides (like “spooky” or “stinky” or “yummy”) and I’m too overwhelmed by choice when I just tell myself “draw everyday” without any direction at all. However, if I came up with my own theme with 7-8 categories and had my pictures chosen ahead of time, it feels like I’d be more able to stay on top of that.

[@LeslieStroz]

I also try to have extra photos for each category in case I’m not in the “mood” to draw one of them. 😊

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

I loved your sketches. You inspire me. I may have to sketch something for Inktober. I have never done an Inktober. Do have a great week ahead. Have a good time in America as well.😊

[@ChantelleArts]

This is so stunning, I love the inks ☺☺

[@Steinsvollstegninger]

Your drawings are amazing!! I love them all

[@andreasdesigns]

The ability to watercolor your drawings sounds fun. I will have to watch for it. Have fun with your challenge. I look forward to seeing your work.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thanks so much! Yes, the postcard watercolour copies are great because you can paint the same scene more than once, and it also takes the anxiety out of painting a drawing you might be worried you will ruin. 😊

[@chainofthorns]

This sounds so fun! I have done OCTOber for about 3-4 years now - it's just me painting an octopus everyday, accompanied by the fun facts I learn about them

[@lynnenameller]

I’m beginning to learn watercolour so I am doing a bit of sketching; testing ideas and techniques. I will enjoy seeing what you do. I love windmills and lighthouses too. There are some wonderful windmills I photographed a few years ago on the danish island of Bornholm. It’s such a beautiful island actually off the coast of Sweden

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you! I acutally completed Inktober last year for the first time after years of attempts. I didn't finish a drawing everyday, but I did draw every day. Right now I'm in the middle of a damaged gothic castle window with ivy on one side and tree branches on the other. I love gothic windows. And I hate drawing plants. So...I need practice on them. And I know that becoming competent at drawing things makes them less of a hassle. So...plants. With something I love to make it interesting. Oh! I just bought a POSCA set of black markers, (I know they're paint pens) but there's four different pen sizes including a super wide one along with a micron _and_ a brush pen! I haven't used them yet but I will during Inktober.

[@sherrym.2413]

Your drawings are impressive! Thanks for the ideas and suggestions

[@tracyvis2101]

I love this idea! I live in New England and there are so many funny shaped houses here that I could draw!

[@maryslifechannel1]

OMG I absolutely love this. I would love to practice drawing tiny houses.

[@davidcoutts9070]

The one bit of advice that you provided (many videos ago) that really struck a chord with me was the importance of the ink drawing being able to stand on its own before adding any colour (if adding colour is desired). Constant practice seems to be the secret sauce. I probably won't do the "daily challenge", but try to do some drawing every day which may or may not fall within drawing something in a particular category. I see small steps in improvement, but it is a long road to travel and I try to focus on the journey and not the destination. Anyway, I enjoy your videos and your enthusiasm for creating art is palpable in every video.

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! I’m glad that tip has helped you. If you’re drawing every day, then you don’t need a challenge (unless maybe you wanted to work on a particular aspect of your drawing). It’s good to think of drawing as a journey. Even after decades of it, I still feel like I have room to grow. I just love that about it- it never gets boring! 😊

[@maryalgar8779]

Love your collection of themed buildings. I too love lighthouses. I would like to sit down each day in October and draw something, but not sure I can commit to more than that. No doubt I will "fall off the wagon" at some point :)

[@LeslieStroz]

Wagons come in a sizes. Even planning for a few drawings is great. 😊

[@hildybean]

Thank you so much for this. I’m in the process of organizing the prompts I want to use for 2024 and getting my paper ready. This was helpful!

[@LeslieStroz]

How exciting that you’re preparing too! Collecting the images always feels like the biggest hurdle to me. 🧗‍♀️

[@pamelasmith6306]

I like the idea of housetober.and the idea of working small. your sketches are beautiful..

[@LeslieStroz]

Thank you! 😊

[@deeoh3708]

Great idea! Inktober coming up. Thanks Leslie. :)

[@theroadhome_Liz_Summers]

I did PleinAirPril on your recommendation and it really helped me improve. So, I am thinking about an Ink and Wash October ... plein air as much as possible. I am thinking about categories. I'd like to do barns and cabins. I live in NW Montana so have plenty of both and as a hobby photographer for many years, plenty of reference photos. I will take this week to get organized. I know from PleinAirPril that your advice to decide on size and topic AND supplies was VERY helpful in sticking to the challenge. . ***Edited to add: I bought 2 of the Scriveiner fountain pens (extra fine nibs) after your post and love them for ink and wash! Also for writing - they are beautiful as well.

[@zenlife1200]

My first inktober was in 2022 and I skipped last year's one so I feel like having another go. This time I want to try something different by only drawing with a 2.4mm pilot parallel pen and using a waterbrush to add a bit of mayhem, I mean looseness to my sketches. I've previously done three sketches this way in an A5 sketchbook so I know that sized nib on that paper works okay. It was a lot of fun. I'm just undecided on a theme this year. Fineliner wise, I've mostly used Faber Castell ones. I bought a uni pin set of 3 colors recently, I think after watching one of your videos, but I haven't tried them yet. Lately I've moved more towards using the Uniball Eye pens instead of the fineliners. The ultra micro one is 0.38 and makes a very fine line. These don't wear out as fast on rough paper as some of the very fine tipped fineliners have for me. That's my fault though, for using multiple different sketchbooks and different paper types at random without checking which pens I was taking with them. With the Uniballs it doesn't matter what paper so I end up carrying fewer pens around. They're waterproof and fade proof too. I just realized that the uniball eyes are called vision in some countries.

[@hawkeye9382]

You should have postcards to sell made from these AS IS!! They are beautiful! I would buy them. Also as Watercolor cards for people to put their own color on them. Some people can't draw but love to put color in. Also a coloring book!!

[@LeslieStroz]

I’ve already printed several sets of the 2023 collection- I just need to post them on my website! 😊

[@hawkeye9382]

​@@LeslieStroz I could not find any without the watercolor already on them 😔

[@LavenderDebs]

Oh! Brilliant! I write Bible lessons and do not always have loads of relaxed time to paint. I still like it better than drawing... but for skills sake I'm trying) I like the idea of houses and rolling houses. Garden Paths too. I come from a county on the NW inland coast of USA. Beautiful buildings and gardens are everywhere. The lovely people in the Montana town we landed in are much kinder than the peeps of the urban town we came from, but the town is derelict. It has taken me a while to want to make art here. You've inspired me to try. Debs in Montana... who often has to paint on the margins of her Bible just to get some art done everyday. The wrinkles & buckling are real.

[@LeslieStroz]

It would be so wonderful to draw all of those buildings. 😊

[@madebylora]

I’ve done inktober for the last 2 years with fineliners but I’m planning something more adventurous this year…. I’m still doing inktober but instead of fineliners I’m planning to use a fountain pen with soluble ink and a water brush. Also, instead of just doing the drawings, I plan to do them as illustrations for a story which I will write to fit around the prompts!! That is the idea anyway! I hope it’s not too big a challenge! Oh and I’ll also be making my own book for it too (that’s the easy bit haha)

[@LeslieStroz]

That sounds super exciting! It will be special to have the collection in your own book too. ❤

[@tammyh.8454]

what a beautiful studio, with so much work space, looks great! just like your art!

[@pagewhite61]

Great video, I love the Housetober idea! I’ve been thinking about drawing houses in my historic neighborhood so I think now I will! Thank you.

[@LeslieStroz]

Oh so lucky! That sounds like a wonderful plan. ❤

[@marygallo2174]

Hi Leslie!! I have only been painting since December 2023 bcz my therapist suggested I take up a hobby for my PTSD (from COVID) and I chose watercolor bcz it was once type I have never tried. But, I can’t draw. So I am sketching every thing I see when I am out waiting in the car. Thank you for the wonderful suggestions!

[@LeslieStroz]

Art is a wonderful therapy. And yes, watercolour is much easier when you have good drawing skills. What an exciting adventure to be on- I hope it’s been helpful for you. ❤

[@michellewilson-zh2jx]

Just found your channel- your video is lovely. Thanks for sharing

[@WinterKnits]

I’m going to do a daily art challenge in October. I will start assembling a kit & ideas in the next week. I look forward to seeing what you & I create! Thanks for the inspiration

[@LeslieStroz]

Wonderful! Best of luck with it! 🤗

[@karenirving7088]

Great video. So helpful.

[@silverleafmaple]

Your content is a dream! Thank you for sharing... we bought the divider and love it - very helpful tool.

[@LeslieStroz]

I’m glad you’re enjoying the divider. It’s so useful! 😊

[@christophermckellar1352]

Great! Thanks.

[@michep.169]

housedrawing very interesting

[@sulu758]

Have you considered drawing images of dioramas where people have invented estates and villages?

[@LeslieStroz]

That would be so much fun! 😊

[@cindylabare960]

I’m looking forward to participating along with you this year!❤

[@LeslieStroz]

Hooray! 🎉

[@betzie_paintz2284]

I would love to join your drawing challenge. I was looking for the community tab and I can’t seem to find it. Sometimes I see it on creators feed, but not on yours. I am subscribed so that should not be the issue. Thank you in advance for you help. I love your videos and shorts, they are very inspiring!

[@LeslieStroz]

If you go to my KZbin home page it’s called “Posts.” They changed the name recently. On Patreon it’s called “Community Posts.”

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Oh I love your Housetober idea! Yes, I am going to be doing some drawings with either Inktober (it will be my 3rd year) or I am thinking about doing the Birdtober for October. I also use postcard size paper for my drawings too. Definitely less intimidating to draw. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful information.

[@LeslieStroz]

I love the idea of Birdtober! I was just thinking how much I’d like to draw more birds. Have fun with it! 😊

[@jkellyfamily9]

Your work is so engaging! Would you consider sharing links for some of your favorite “free use image” sites - particularly for architecture?

[@ArtandGreenTea]

This is a refreshing way to join in on an art filled october. Im going to do 4 drawings of 4 categories so I dont get overwhelmed with work & life but i look forward to this month of drawing & art🤍

[@pegboyd4312]

Great suggestions! I think I will just get busy with working daily on the interests of my choice. Thank you for the video!

[@LeslieStroz]

Coming up with your own plan is always fun. 😊

[@pegboyd4312]

@@LeslieStroz I just needed to get retired.

[@natalieoaklander4920]

Love your sketches!

[@TheSwissy4me]

I would love to draw along. Question. How did you create the file categories in the album section of your inktober? And finally, you mostly take pictures from your phone? I need to get better at that. I’m not very good at that.

[@LeslieStroz]

I use my iPhone for EVERYTHING (even filming these videos). When I have a photo I like I click on the little square with an arrow in the lower left corner and add it to an album (you can create new albums that way too). I took photos of the title for each category to keep them separated. You can move around the photos in albums too. 😊

[@theroadhome_Liz_Summers]

There are folders AND albums in the iPhone photos app if you have iPhone. You create a folder: Inktober2024 and then add albums if you want the "sub" categories. The best thing is probably to Google/search "iPhone photo folders" to get started. I am in I.T. person but only discovered this option early this year and it has made a huge difference in organizing photos. Also, you didn't ask ... but if you swipe up on a photo you can add a caption and I use this to add key words that I can search on.

[@kaitibeeps5887]

i'm looking forward to doing SOMETHING every day in october, but i haven't settled on my theme yet. i think i'll take a page from your book and curate a little library of reference images and see where the winds take me, whatever the subject matter ends up being. C:

[@LeslieStroz]

It’s always special when you make your own themes. Good luck! 😊

[@Chirrup18]

I'm interested in this challenge but probably not disciplined enough to commit to a month--we'll see. I've just started a tiny sketching project, thanks to you, and almost completed my first line and wash house. It is so cute and the work is so fulfilling that I do plan to keep going. After seeing your sketches of the windmills, I'm really excited to go take photos of the Fabyan Windmill in Batavia and see what I can do with that. It's also pouring in Chicagoland, so, maybe tomorrow. 😉

[@LeslieStroz]

It’s been raining here in England today too. If you’re in Chicago then you’re lucky enough to be in striking distance of some beautiful light houses- Door County has some of my favourites! ❤

[@Chirrup18]

@@LeslieStroz I'm in Aurora, and I would love to get up there! Everyone here talks about Door County. I didn't know about the lighthouses, but I'll check it out. Thank you for all your posts, especially the miniatures--I'm addicted!

[@jesbury6597]

I love drawing with a .5 mechanical pencil and would love to find a brown lead. I have searched to no avail. Have you used or do you know of a brown .5 pencil lead? Thanks! I love all your tiny painting and art tips. Your previous video of doing a 30 day art challenge got me to do 7 day challenges. You offered that idea as an alternative and I've been choosing different themes each week. I'm also a writer so I've been alternating between drawing and writing. Last week I couldn't draw due to an injury that is still healing. 😥 At least I can still do a creative challenge and I'm imagining images to go with what I'm writing. Thanks for the inspiration to start!

[@debbiecrowther7647]

Hi leslie :) re: the fineliners - have you looked at The Lumos from Tom's studio ? its a refillable fineliner with a whole range of interchangable nibs. I've teamed mine up with Rohrer & klingner Sketch ink which is waterproof. It's a brilliant and beautiful fineliner :)

[@LeslieStroz]

I have heard of them and will investigate! I’d love to have some good, reliable brown fineliners. I’ve been using Prismacolor for years but they are much harder to find now.

[@mabellchurnoopay]

Leslie, do you have a particular method or setting for organising your photo's on you iPad, mine are chaotic! Love your work, esp., mini paintings. J.

[@maryalgar8779]

Leslie, I have a compass (tool for drawing circles that looks much like your proportional divider, except it can hold a pencil). I'm thinking this should work for measurements.

[@LeslieStroz]

Definitely. Try it! 😊

[@sanjavukovic169]

Hello, thank you so much for this video, becouse this is exactly what I need to get me going. Although I don't plan drawing houses, it will still be housetober since I will draw at home. I plan to go back to basic and to do graphite drawings. I love your idea of printing them on watercolour paper! Is that a special paper that is suitable for printing or any watercolor paper could do? I have all the supplies besides measuring tool that I need to find. Need to decide about the format. Smaller formats are too advanced for me. I'm thinking about A3 or maybe A4 that is more portable. Not sure yet. I use Pinterest for organising online motives.

[@sweetpea7715]

Have you heard about Tom’s studio pens? They are refilled pens?

[@LeslieStroz]

I’ve heard of them and someday I will try them! 😊

[@TradIrishHarper]

Stunning ink drawings. I use predominantly a fountain pen for my ink drawings with fine nib. I am really interested in your technique for ink drawings/sketches. How do you achieve all of the shading and depth? It is simply finer cross hatching, dappling, lines?

[@LeslieStroz]

I use textured (cold press) watercolour paper which helps, and also a bit of hatching and scribbling. Using a thinner nib .05 also helps.

[@Paristan01]

I’m doin Templetober because I live in Siem Reap

[@LeslieStroz]

Nice!

[@annettemeglino7232]

Thank you Leslie. I've been enjoying your videos, thank you. Curious about printing your drawing on watercolor paper. Do you use a local small printer? Im in NY, but what would be your suggestion of finding a printer to print on watercolor paper and possibly hi-end archival-type prints for selling works? TIA

[@LeslieStroz]

My local printer is pretty special. Try to find a good one that has good equipment. I bring my own paper and mine runs it through for me. He’s great. He does giclees for me, but also has a machine that has waterproof ink for the postcards.

[@annettemeglino7232]

@@LeslieStroz thank you you gave me tips of what to ask for looking for a printer

[@MiraleeKelsey-cu8ph]

I recently came across one of your shorts that shows you unboxing a travel palette from A. Gallo it slides opens to pull out a cup holder The inside of the lid holds your post card size paper. Can you tell me where I could purchase one?

[@LeslieStroz]

Natsume Handmade on Etsy

[@MiraleeKelsey-cu8ph]

@@LeslieStroz thanks 😍

[@noorallawati5390]

Hi! Would be cool to join you! Daily will likely be hard, but I will try

[@TheMessyDeskxyz]

Love your drawings! I await the day I can easily whip out such amazing and detailed drawings when I'm relaxing and hanging out with family. 😂 I've actually been in love with my 0.1mm kuretake karappo pen, that i've filled with Lilly Sketchink to use as my fineliner. Granted they don't have that many nib size options yet. But they do offer a ~0.5mm nib as well as a "knife" nib which I've found surprisingly useful for doing some thicker lettering, or windows etc... Some of my local art/stationery store carries them, and I like that I can fill them with whatever ink I want. You can carefully pry open the stopper at the back to refill them too. ❤

[@amethystmoonlight7429]

I want to join your housetober. But I don't know how I can share it to you °^°

[@LeslieStroz]

Instagram! You can message me there or use the hashtag #Housetober. Patreon is another way. 😊

[@SMBDesigns]

Did I miss your link on how and why to use a divider?

[@LeslieStroz]

Oops- I’ve just added it in the description. Thanks for reminding me! 🤗

[@ralphherrick596]

Are your fantastic drawings on 5x7 paper?

[@LeslieStroz]

The video shows the paper they’re drawn on. 😊