Miss Daisy Drawing

Tag: sketchbook

  • How to Find Your Artistic Theme and Your Path in Life

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    In my previous passages, I wrote about how to find your art style and medium. Today, I want to go a little deeper: How do you find your artistic theme — and even your path in life?

    Have you ever had this experience? You pick up your pencils, watercolor whatever the medium is, ready to draw, and suddenly… you don’t know what to draw. You scroll through tons of reference pictures online, but then you start doubting yourself:

    “This looks way too complicated… let me find another one.” “How am I supposed to draw this?”After searching for so long, you still can’t bring yourself to start, and eventually you just give up.  Over time, your love for drawing — maybe even your talent — gets lost in hesitation and confusion.  Sporadic sketches can’t form a real portfolio, and because you don’t see obvious progress, you start to label yourself: “Maybe I’m just not talented.” And slowly, drawing gets pushed into the corner of your life and forgotten.Years later, when you look at other people’s artwork, you’ll remember how much you once loved drawing — and regret that you didn’t stick with it.

    If this sounds familiar, today I want to share a few ways to help you discover your own creative theme.

    Why we get lost — in drawing and in life

    Feeling lost in art is actually the same as feeling lost in life. And most people will experience it.

    From early art classes, we were trained to wait for the teacher to give us a topic, and then we complete the task. Over time, this becomes a habit: Without someone assigning the theme, we don’t know what to draw.

    And it’s not just art — our whole education system is built on “ready-made questions + one correct answer.” Through elementary, middle, and high school, everything follows a fixed path. But once we leave school, we suddenly stand in front of a huge blank space. We don’t know our direction, what we like, or where to go next. We look for a “stable destination,” but forget that:

    Life has never been stable. Those so-called “stable places” are often just cages inside a much larger system. So whether it’s a blank canvas or a blank future, we need to learn to ask ourselves: What do I want to draw? How do I want to express myself? What kind of life do I want? And what steps will take me closer to it?

    So how do you find your artistic theme?

    1. When you don’t know what to draw, look back at what you’ve already created — without guidance, tasks, or expectations.

    Look at the works you made simply because you wanted to — not homework, not assignments, not tasks given by others. Whether it’s ten pieces or a hundred, you’ll start to notice patterns: You’ve already been drawing similar things again and again.

    Maybe it’s portraits, beautiful faces, outfits you love, bright flowers, plants of all kinds, bustling city lights, or pieces from your daily life. These pieces are messages from your subconscious. They reveal what truly moves you. And if you think about it, those themes can even hint at what kind of career you might want.

    I studied management in university back then, not art. Near graduation, I was extremely lost, until I asked a retired mentor for advice. She told me, “If you don’t know what you want to do, think about what you loved as a child.”

    I realized I loved drawing and making things with my hands. So I gradually picked up art again. After working for few years, I returned to school, earned a master’s degree in Fine Art, and turned my passion into my career.

    2. Record your life — especially the things you care about

    There will always be something in life that touches you. Some people love clothing and styling. Some love cars, machines, and industrial aesthetics. Some love traveling and exploring cultures. Some love the atmosphere of local markets. Some love movie characters and cinematic worlds.

    Write them down. Photograph them. The things that appear repeatedly in your words or photos — that’s your creative theme. Drawing, writing, and music all ask the same question: “What moved me today?”

    When you keep creating based on what moves you, your work will naturally form a system, your style will gradually appear, and eventually — your voice emerges.

    3. Don’t be afraid of trial and error, and don’t rush to define your theme

    Your creative theme isn’t something you suddenly decide one day. And it will not stay the same forever. People grow. Experiences accumulate. And your theme evolves with you — that’s the normal state of life. Sometimes we set goals that are too big or too rigid. When we can’t reach them, we begin to doubt ourselves. But the truth is: Change is the only constant.

    Your artistic theme will shift as you grow, because you are constantly changing. Maybe when you’re young you love city lights and new experiences. Later, you may prefer quiet, solitude, and deeper, more abstract expression.

    No one discovers their theme or ideal life in an instant. When we see others succeed, we forget that the moment we see is often the result of decades of preparation. As the saying goes: “One minute on stage takes ten years of work off stage.”

    Your theme — and your ideal life — will slowly reveal themselves. through creating, experiencing, exploring, and making mistakes.

    To summarize — how to find your creative theme

    1. Look back at your past unassigned creations — your subconscious has already given you clues. 2. Record the things you care about — start with what repeats and what you’re good at.  3. Accept that change is normal — don’t judge yourself for shifting interests; explore boldly and embrace change.

    I’m Daisy, someone who loves art and loves sharing it. If you enjoyed this kind of content, feel free to like, follow, and leave a comment. And you’re welcome to share your thoughts about art below. 🎨✨

  • Do You REALLY Need References to Learn Drawing?

    Today I want to talk about a question almost every art lover has asked at some point — and one many parents wonder about when their kids start learning art: Do we really need to use references? Do we actually need to draw from an object? If you have such questions, you need to keep reading. What I’m sharing comes from decades of drawing and learning, and I hope this video can bring some inspirations on this topic. Without further ado, let’s start it. 

    First, Drawing is a visual language — and every language needs input

    Drawing is not just technique; it’s a form of visual expression, a visual language. And to learn any language, you need input.

    To learn writing, you start with words, sentences, reading. To learn music, you start with notes, rhythm, melody. To learn drawing, you need to understand visual vocabulary and the objects you’re drawing.

    Every time we draw something from observation, the coordination between “eye and hand” helps us understand the subject far more deeply than simply looking at it. Drawing is a tool that sharpens how we observe and understand the world.

    Take trees, for example. Nature gives us thousands of tree varieties — different leaves, different trunks, different silhouettes. The more we observe and record, the richer our visual vocabulary becomes. The richer the vocabulary, the more alive our artwork becomes.

    Good practice is not just about copying objects; it’s also about finding creative ways to express them. Many beginners get stuck on the question: “How can I make my drawing look realistic?” But in the context of contemporary art, that is actually the wrong goal.

    The purpose of using references is to train your ability to see. The purpose of learning art is to express your own interpretation — even when everyone is looking at the same object or the same landscape. This process builds your aesthetic judgment and your ability to think independently.

    Second. Using references is not “copying” — it’s intentional training

    In a world where phone cameras are already hyper-realistic and AI can generate images instantly, the meaning of drawing is not to replicate what we see. What we really want is to express our feelings and ideas through visual language. Here are three ways to train that ability:

    Number 1. Structure, perspective, and lighting matter, but don’t let them restrict you

    Don’t be too harsh on yourself about accuracy. I often see drawings by kids or older hobbyists that aren’t technically precise, yet you can feel their pure love for art in every line. That raw sincerity carries emotional power that perfect realism sometimes lacks.

    Number 2. Build your visual vocabulary through lots of quick sketches

    Back to the tree example: Real trees come in endless forms, but in many artworks, trees are drawn with the same formula.

    Instead of copying someone else’s tree, why not explore your own? Experiment with different lines, shapes, rhythms, and colors. When you can draw a “tree that belongs to you,” you’ve truly developed expressive ability.

    Number 3. Think before you draw — the idea comes first

    In traditional Chinese painting, there’s a guiding principle called “yi zai bi xian” — which means your intention should come before the brush. Whether you’re writing, drawing, or creating any kind of artwork, the idea is to fully form your vision before you put down the first stroke.

    This principle applies to all mediums we use today — watercolor, oil, acrylic, and more. Whenever we face a subject or a scene that inspires us, we should pause and ask ourselves: Does this scene feel warm or lonely? Lively or quiet?

    Once we understand what we truly want to express, elements like line, color, and composition naturally become our tools — not constraints. At that moment, we’re no longer just someone holding a brush; we’re more like conductors, guiding different instruments and voices to create a piece of art with real life in it.

    Working this way means every painting carries our personal interpretation and thought process. And over time, this approach also helps us shape a style that’s uniquely our own.

    Lastly . Abstraction requires foundations — abstract work without thought has no life

    At this point you might be wondering: “There are so many abstract artworks today. Can’t I skip observational drawing and jump straight into abstraction?”

    This question is especially common in children’s art education. Some parents want to “develop creativity,” for their children through drawing. So they avoid letting kids draw from objects. They are afraid that it will limit imagination. But this is actually the opposite of how creativity grows.

    Abstraction and realism aren’t opposites. Abstraction is the refined essence of realism.

    A strong abstract artwork comes from long-term training in: shape and structure, spatial understanding, rhythm and visual organization, color and form language. 

    It’s the artist’s sharp perception of the real world that gives abstraction intention, logic, and emotional resonance — not random color splashes.

    If you skip the foundational observational stage, “abstract art” easily becomes random marks on paper. It may look free, but it’s hollow. It may look expressive, but lacks depth. It lacks visual logic, internal structure, and emotional meaning.

    As many masters have shown us: Understand the world first. Then create your own. Realism is the foundation. Abstraction is the elevation. Realism helps you see. Abstraction helps you express.

    So, I believe you’ve already have your own idea now. Do we need references when it comes to draw? Yes — but not for copying. References help us understand the world. But the ultimate purpose of drawing is emotional expression.

    Our relationship with the reference object is not about “copying.” It’s about borrowing —borrowing nature, objects, visual language —to express what we truly want to communicate.

    I’m Daisy, an artist who loves observing, drawing, and sharing.
    If you enjoyed this passafe, feel free to like, subscribe, or leave a comment.
    You’re also welcome to share your thoughts on art — I’d love to hear them. 

  • What Art Teaches Us That School Never Will

    There’s a common belief that studying art is a waste of time. Have you ever heard someone say, ‘Studying art is useless? In the end, you’ll only be teaching it to others in a training class’? I started a bachelor’s degree in management and then a master’s in fine arts, and along the way, I discovered some deep truths about art that no one ever talks about.

    I’m not trying to change your opinion about art; I just hope that by reading this, you can discover the meaning of learning art for yourself.

    First, most people don’t realize—and textbooks will never tell us—that painting and art have actually supported the development of modern society. I don’t want to repeat the usual phrases like “art improves your aesthetic sense” or “enhances your observation skills.” I want to show you how artistic movements, sometimes seeming far removed from daily life, have repeatedly driven societal change, influenced technology, design, and thought, and even shaped the course of human civilization.

    Did you know?

    160 years ago Impressionism opened up modern visual language and changed the way people see the world. By introducing the concept of “fleeting light and color,” Impressionists transformed how we experience painting—it’s not just about realism anymore, it’s about feeling. This shift influenced photography, film cinematography, advertising, and lighting design.

    100 years ago The Bauhaus movement in Germany emphasis on functionalism, minimalism, and geometric forms shaped industrial product design, furniture, architecture, and even city planning. The objects we use every day, our homes, and our modern sense of aesthetics all owe a lot to this movement.

    70 years ago Pop Art brought elite art into everyday life, creating mass culture and a visual language for the consumer age. Andy Warhol and Pop Art brought commercial visuals into the art world, influencing advertising, packaging, and popular culture—and shaping the era of brands and consumerism.

    Think about it: the choices we make in daily life—our phones, furniture, cars, appliances, clothing, even product packaging—are all influenced, consciously or unconsciously, by these artistic movements. If you want to understand how modern art has shaped human society, you could fill a whole book and still barely scratch the surface.

    Second, no other subject teaches you to challenge authority and create your own language like painting does. Many people who haven’t studied art assume, “Painting is just making something look like the real thing.” But this idea was overturned over 200 years ago. Modern art is no longer about replication—it’s a tool for questioning rules, breaking conventions, and inventing new forms of expression.

    Francis Bacon once wrote in The Advancement of Learning:

    “History makes a man wise; poetry makes him witty; mathematics makes him precise; natural philosophy makes him deep; ethical studies make him grave; and logic and rhetoric make him able to contend.”

    Today, painting gives us the space to challenge authority visually and create new languages. If most school subjects teach standardized answers and demand conformity, painting does the opposite—it allows you to be different, and you will never be the same as anyone else.

    People often criticize art because they’re used to uniformity and afraid of individuality.

    Third, art is a medium for self-exploration and emotional expression.

    I often say that painting isn’t just a professional art—it’s also a kind of play, and even a form of therapy. When we paint, it helps us ease anxiety, calm our worries, and release stress. Painting isn’t just about technique; it’s a way to explore ourselves.

    Especially in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, where anyone could face uncertainty or job instability, scrolling through videos or chasing consumerism isn’t enough—we need a way to process and soothe our emotions. Painting satisfies our creative urges, goes beyond pure utilitarianism and Materialism provides deep spiritual fulfillment. It’s an essential part of the human experience, making our life richer, meaningful, and more human.

    If you haven’t yet experienced these three incredible aspects of painting, now is the perfect time to discover the true magic of art.

    I Hope you find this content helpful. If you enjoy my content, feel free to like, subscribe, and leave a comment. You’re also welcome to share your own thoughts on art in the comment section.

  • 3 Practical Tips to Select Your Ideal Art Medium

    In my last content, How to Discover Your Unique Artistic Style I talked about how to find your own artistic style. Today, I want to continue that conversation and tackle a challenge almost every art lover faces: How do you choose the right art medium for yourself?

    Many art lovers switch mediums every once for a while. You spend some time with acrylics, then fall in love with watercolor. You practice watercolor for a while, then suddenly the iPad looks very tempting. This constant switching can become one of the biggest obstacles to developing a stable and recognizable artistic style.

    And this isn’t just a beginner problem. Even trained art students experience this.
    Oil painters fall in love with the texture of ink. Watercolor students discover printmaking and never look back. Switching mediums isn’t wrong. In fact, choosing your medium is a journey of self-understanding.

    Your personality, your temperament, and your preferences—all of these are hidden in the style you are about to create. 

    So today, I want to share three practical methods to help you choose a medium that truly fits you.

    First. Explore widely before you decide.

    Do not judge yourself “I’m not good at it” before you’ve even tried. The sensory experience each medium gives you is the most honest indicator of whether it fits you.

    Spend some time exploring different mediums: graphite, colored pencils, watercolor, markers, oil pastels, acrylic, soft pastels, ink—anything you can find.

    Pay attention to the experience: the bold colors of acrylic, the fluid unpredictability of watercolor, the tactile texture of graphite, the soft, dreamy feel of pastels. 

    Try them systematically, and document how each one makes you feel. After exploring, choose the medium that creates effects you love and one you naturally handle well.

    Second. Start with the medium you feel most comfortable with.

    Your medium doesn’t have to be expensive or trendy. It just needs to be something you can easily pick up every day—a pencil, a basic watercolor set, or acrylic on canvas.

    The more familiar you become with your medium, the easier it is to stay consistent. And consistency—not expensive supplies—is what separates amateurs from artists.

    Growth comes from steady practice, reflection, and understanding the materials in your hands.

    Lastly. iPad drawing is an extension—not a replacement.

    Digital drawing is powerful. It combines the expressive possibilities of traditional mediums with modern convenience. But for beginners, the endless options—brushes, textures, layers—can be overwhelming.

    And no matter how advanced digital tools are, they cannot fully replace the tactile, physical textures of traditional mediums.

    So if you’re new to drawing, or if you want to build a unique artistic voice, traditional mediums remain the best training ground.

    I often find connections between drawing and life—how they influence and mirror each other. I hope sharing these reflections can inspire you and your own creative journey.

  • Lost Your Passion for Drawing? 

    A lot of people believe that the joy of drawing comes from “being good at it.” But the truth is the opposite. The more we chase perfection, the more we try to prove ourselves, the heavier drawing becomes. We compare ourselves to professional artists and illustrators, and the moment our work looks “off” or “not good enough,” we start questioning everything—our talent, our potential, even whether we should keep drawing at all.

    This mindset shows up not only in art, but also whenever we try something new. So today, I want to share how you can truly rediscover the joy of drawing—how to start anything with zero pressure and learn to enjoy the process again.

    First, you need to allow yourself to “draw badly.” Allow yourself to make mistakes. It sounds simple, but for most of us, it’s incredibly difficult. Especially in our culture, where school, family, and society don’t really give us room to fail. Many of us grow up walking a path that seems to demand “the correct answer” in everything we do, but that path is often filled with pressure and anxiety.

    But drawing isn’t just a professional skill. It’s also a game, a visual exploration, a way to enter a flow state, and even a form of therapy. That’s why you need to “demystify” drawing—or anything else you want to pursue. You’re not facing a monster. You’re facing a gentle little rabbit.

    Second, put aside the grand goal of finishing a large, polished, complex artwork. Start with the smallest possible action. Sketch what’s around you—draw a tree, a cup, a wash of watercolor, or even just a few lines. None of these need to become finished pieces. These tiny practices remind you that sometimes starting matters more than finishing.

    Third, treat drawing like an adventure—a treasure hunt. Maybe you’ve had phases when you drew mindlessly, constantly producing work but never improving. That’s because you weren’t exploring. Exploration means asking: Which colors feel most harmonious together? How do you paint the glow light in the night time? How do different leaves behave on different trees? What colors define autumn leaves? How do you paint winter snow? Does every object has to be its original color?

    Exploration comes with failures, but also surprises. And trust me—you’ll be amazed and proud of the unique effects you discover on your own.

    And isn’t life itself an adventure as well? Give yourself more patience. Anything you love is worth exploring again and again.

    When you let go of judgment, comparison, and the pressure to “be good,” you’ll realize something: the joy of drawing never disappeared. Beyond the roles and responsibilities that society and family place on us, life still holds countless sources of meaning and joy waiting for us to unlock. They were simply hidden behind all the pressure.

    What you need now is just a little space for yourself each day—enough for drawing to illuminate your life again.

    If you enjoy my content, feel free to like, subscribe, and leave a comment. You’re also welcome to share your own thoughts on art in the comment section.

    I’m Daisy, a storyteller who records and shares art. I hope my words and drawings inspire your own creative journey.

  • Why Your Sketchbook is More Than Just a Doodle Pad

    A lot of people think a sketchbook is just for doodling or scribbling, but it is far more important than it seems.


    If painting is a form of expression, then a sketchbook is your truest, most unfiltered “visual diary.”

    It is a place that accepts you without conditions. In your sketchbook, you can mess up, draw badly, get proportions wrong, make things look chaotic, or even draw something that looks nothing like what you intended. It won’t judge you. It won’t pressure you. It is like a gentle therapist that quietly receives everything you pour into it.

    So what exactly does a sketchbook do for us?

    First, it helps us record our lives.


    As a “visual diary,” your sketchbook captures your daily ideas, moods, inspirations, and observations. Every stroke and every page carries your personal imprint. Over time, you’ll notice it reveals the parts of you that are hidden deep inside—pieces you may have never expressed before.

    Second, it helps us overcome perfectionism.


    In a sketchbook, you do not need to carry the burden of creating a beautiful, finished artwork. You can fail, experiment, play, and make mistakes. This freedom—free from rules and expectations—releases a tremendous amount of imagination and creativity that perfectionism often suppresses.

    Third, it strengthens our observation and improves our skills.


    Nothing trains your artistic abilities as comprehensively as sketching. A sketchbook is like practicing scales in music; the daily repetitions gradually help you understand and master the “notes” of drawing—line, structure, light, shadow, and color.You stop simply “seeing” and start “understanding”: Where is the light coming from? Why does the hand bend this way? Why does this composition feel balanced? How do these colors interact?Your eye becomes sharper, one sketch at a time.

    And finally, it helps you discover your artistic style.


    All the things you hesitate to try in a polished piece—different lines, quicker strokes, unusual compositions, new ideas—you can explore freely in your sketchbook. Over time, these spontaneous marks reveal your preferences, rhythms, and artistic temperament. This is where your style begins to take shape.

    If you don’t have a sketchbook yet, you might be missing a space where you’re allowed to be imperfect.


    If you already have one, give it more pages, more chances, more of your world.


    As the new year begins, start a sketchbook for yourself. Fill it for a year, and see how much you transform from the first page to the last.