October has arrived, and with it comes that fresh, autumn energy—perfect for starting (or restarting) a creative habit. October is my favorite season, with the trees dressing up in their beautiful autumn colors! Did you know October is famous for not just one, but two drawing challenges?

There’s Inktober and A Paper a Day, both wonderful invitations to keep your creative muscles moving and develop a regular drawing practice. Just like playing piano or training for a sport, the secret to drawing better is simple: practice, practice, practice!

But how do you actually draw every day? Life is busy, and our inner critic loves to pop up just when we want to start something new. Here are a few gentle tips that help me (and might help you too):

• Link your drawing time to a daily ritual: Maybe with your first morning coffee, after lunch, during your train commute, or as you unwind on the couch before bed. Consistency is key!
• Keep your favorite materials close at hand: A tiny sketchbook and pen in your bag or by your bedside makes it easy to say yes to a quick doodle.
• Keep it small and simple: A shape, a line, a doodle—everything counts. It’s better to draw something little every day than to wait for the “perfect” moment for a big project.
• Find a drawing buddy: Cheer each other on and share your daily sketches, or join your local urbansketchers community. Community makes the journey lighter and more fun!
• Let go of the result: Try setting a timer for five or ten minutes and just play. The process is what matters most.
• Share your work on social media in the drawing challenges or with the urbansketchers: Sharing can be motivating and connects you with fellow creatives around the world!

If you’re looking for more ideas or a little nudge, I’ve shared lots of practical tips and stories about building a sketching habit on my blog post on sketchbook practice. You’ll find encouragement for every stage—whether you’re just beginning or picking up your pencil after a break.

And if you want even more inspiration, my Skillshare classes are packed with beginner-friendly lessons and sketchbook tours. Or discover a burst of color and inspiration in my post about Autumn colors and my article on beating the inner critic, perfect for this beautiful season.

Are you joining Inktober, A Paper a Day, or maybe starting your own challenge this month?

What helps you stay creative when life gets busy?

Hit reply—I’d love to hear your stories or see your daily sketches! Tag me on Instagram!

Happy sketching!

Barbara