Seven tips to starting a new creative hobby

Like many people, I enjoy trying new things but don’t always take them further. After my sister discovered our mum’s “hobby box” (a box of multiple things like calligraphy pens, scalpels, card, hobbies she has wanted to do but never tried!) I started thinking about what stops me and others pursuing a creative pursuit.

I found thinking about this methodically helped me to see how easy it could be to fit more creative pastimes into my week, and I hope you do too.

One

Find what interests you. This might sound obvious, but it is actually worth giving some thought. It not only needs to interest you now, but it needs longevity. For example, I have always been interested in speaking another language. But I know that I don’t have an interest in taking the time to learn one. Stupid, I know. But after not really enjoying learning one at school and trying several languages on apps as an adult, I realise it’s not for me. I would love to wake up fluent in any other language, but I am very unlikely to take the time to make that happen. However, baking has been something of a successful hobby for me. I had an interest in making cakes, and it felt achievable. I started small with cupcakes, getting quite good at basic flavours; now I can make tiered caked and have made some quite elaborate birthday cakes for friends and family. This only worked because it kept my interest, and each step felt like something I could achieve in the time I was willing to allocate.

Two

Don’t invest too heavily at the start. Equipment is not everything. I once taught a student who produced the most incredible biro portraits. When other students asked if she used a special pen, they were shocked to find her with just a multipack of blue Bic biros. When you start a new hobby, you don’t know if it will be the thing for you. So only buy the essentials. Even better, borrow them. If you love it, you can get more later; if you don’t, you won’t feel guilty about moving on to something new.

Three

Start small - if you like the idea of painting portraits, your first goal shouldn’t be a beautiful self-portrait in oils worthy of Portrait Artist of the year. It’s a great long term goal, but you would be setting yourself up to fail to start with that. Instead, start with the basics and work your way up. Maybe develop an understanding of the proportions of a face, then try drawing individual facial features before putting both those skills together. Next, explore colour mixing, paint techniques, and add that to your portrait drawings. You get the idea!

Four

Work space-it might be a corner of your bedroom, part of the side in the kitchen or a desk in a spare room. Whatever your new hobby is, and what type of area you need to do it, where possible, dedicate a space to it. Ideally, a space where you can leave any equipment you need out or close to hand. One of the most significant issues with fitting a new hobby into your existing schedule can be the perceived lack of time. I, like many others, often feel like I have no time. That I couldn’t possibly start doing something because after a busy day I don’t have the time, but I still manage to watch a couple of hours of tv in the evenings! Shifting priorities and finding small amounts of time to do it will be easier if you’re not also trying to find everything you need and prepare a space each time. If you give yourself an area, this will make you more inclined to spend time doing it because everything you need will already be there.

Five

Give it time-you won’t be good at the start; no one is. Whatever you choose will take time to learn, so don’t beat yourself up about it if you’re not instantly amazing. Regardless of what you pick as a hobby, time helps build knowledge, confidence, and eventually ability.

Six

Be a magpie- As Picasso once said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” Nothing is created in a vacuum, everyone has influences, and it’s important to find yours when you start a new hobby. Research, try out other people’s techniques, go to workshops, do online tutorials, YouTube. This will help you find what works for you and keep you interested. Last spring, I went to a workshop with an artist who I have admired for years. As someone who draws, I never think to use anything other than pencils, but this workshop was so fun and informative that I spent the next six months experimenting with those paint techniques. You never know what you will learn from others and how it will guide your processes.

Seven

Find like-minded people. Similar to the last point, but more about community than process. Connect with other people with the same hobby, either online or in person. It might help you with new ideas and will motivate you to keep going. Also, reach out to your influences on social media. People are more accessible than ever, and it’s easier to acknowledge that they are regular people who just happen to make work I love. I have messaged a couple of artists I like on Instagram, and their replies have been amazing. It definitely helps keep me motivated.

And finally

Just have fun! It’s a hobby; it’s meant to be enjoyable and should feel like a lovely addition to your week, not more work.