How an unexpected drawing challenge helps rekindle the creative spark

Ditch perfection. Grab a pen, and let a new creative habit take root in just 10 minutes a day.

May 11, 2025

Hello!

I recently embarked on a 30-day drawing challenge - one flower a day, drawn with a fountain pen gifted to me by the lovely folks at Tom’s Studio. It felt like the perfect moment to embrace a gentle, creative commitment. Approaching a new tool with curiosity, openness, and a fresh sense of beginner’s mind.

I usually draw with fineliner pens, but have never created my work using a fountain pen. So I obviously felt it was time for a challenge!

What started as a playful experiment is already unfolding into something much more. I’m 11 days in now, so I wanted to pause and share a few reflections.

Here’s the challenge:

Draw one flower a day, but other than that, there are no rules or other pressure. Just the fountain pen, my sketchbook, and a few minutes carved out each day for the project.

🖋 Tools I’m using

Tom’s Studio Fountain Pen - I’m using the pen in Mulberry with an extra-fine Semi-Flex nib.
Sailor Kiwa-guro waterproof pigment ink in black
Moleskine watercolour album sketchbook

Want to follow along? I’m sharing them most days to Notes, Instagram & YouTube shorts as I go.

Learn more about the pen and the challenge in this video 👇🏻

🌸 Why I’m doing it

To explore drawing with a fountain pen - a first for me!
To embrace imperfection, process, and play.
To slow down and notice the beauty in small things.

💛 What I’m discovering

The joy is in the doing: Whether it’s using lighter, fine lines for veins in the ‘lady’s smock’ flower or the gorgeous curved lines on a tulip flower, each drawing and day brings a different energy.
Experimentation is essential: I’ve started mixing tools along the way. Whether that’s my trusty 0.03 fineliner micron pen that sneaks in now and again to add some extra shading, or playing with different styles, from soft whimsy florals to tattoo-inspired designs, it’s all welcome, and I’m enjoying mixing things up and making new technical discoveries as I go.
Mistakes are magic: On Day 10, I massively messed up and smudged the ink in the final stages of the drawing. Instead of scrapping it, I leaned in, and actually, I rather liked the result, so I did more!
I’m getting braver: The fountain pen initially felt intimidating, but I love its fluidity and flow. It’s great for creating quick sketches, and the flow of the lines, no matter what angle you come at it from, are gorgeous.
Creating a habit: I devote a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 20 minutes a day, and it‘s becoming a lovely habit that I do towards the end of the day. Usually, my fineliner drawings take days, weeks, or even months to finish, so creating something quick in one setting is lovely.
Showing up is all that matters: This isn’t about creating perfect pieces of artwork. It’s just about…well…creating. It doesn’t have to be every day either. Missing a day is OK here and there!

🌼 A few highlights so far

Day 6: ‘Bleeding Heart’ inspired design

Day 7: A Lily – playing with a tattoo-inspired design

Day 9: Another tattoo design inspired by fineliner tattoo designs again. I like to think about how I might wear these designs on my body.

Day 10: Iris – where I learned to embrace the smudge and trust the mess.

Day 11: Poppy part 1 – I adore drawing Poppies, so I’m going to spend a couple of days on these flower experiments :)

✍🏻 Want to join me?

It’s not too late. Grab a pen (any pen!), a scrap of paper, and start where you are. Your version doesn’t have to be flowers. It could just be something small - your coffee cup, your pen collection, or the view from your window. Whatever sparks a little joy and curiosity.

And if you’re curious about the gorgeous pen I’m using, I’ve got a little gift for you:
✨ Use GEORGIESTCLAIR at Tom’s Studio for 10% off selected goodies (min spend £30).

(Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you anything extra; it helps support my work so I can keep making art! Thank you 💛)

🌷I’ll keep sharing what I learn as the days unfold. Here’s to ink-stained fingers, messy progress, and the quiet magic of showing up for a few creative minutes every day :)

I’ll be showing up most days on Notes, Instagram & YouTube shorts - see you there!

Have an inspired day 💕