Feeling stuck or unsure where to begin with your architectural sketches or urban drawings? Warming up before you start drawing is a simple but powerful way to loosen your hand, spark creativity, and build confidence. In this post, I’ll share 5 easy warm-up exercises that anyone, beginners and experienced artists, can use to get into the flow and overcome that intimidating blank page.

How to Warm Up Before Drawing: Simple Exercises for Urban Sketchers

Why Warming Up Matters for Urban Sketchers and Architectural Drawers

When you sit down to draw, especially if it’s been a while, your hand might feel stiff, or your mind might race with doubts. That’s normal. Warming up your hand and your creative mind helps to relax, focus, and get comfortable with your tools. It’s like stretching before a workout - it prepares you for better drawing sessions and helps avoid frustration.

Whether you’re sketching buildings, capturing landscapes, or filling your urban sketchbook with everyday moments, these warm-up exercises will help you build momentum and confidence.

5 Warm-Up Exercises to Start Your Drawing Session

1. Mark-Making Practice

Grab your favourite pen or pencil and fill a page with different types of marks: dots, lines, squiggles, cross-hatching, and circles. Don’t think too much, just enjoy the process of making marks. This helps you explore textures and loosen your hand.

2. Continuous Line Drawing

Pick an object in front of you, like a cup or a plant and draw it without lifting your pen from the paper. This “one-line” drawing encourages observation and trains your hand-eye coordination.

3. Gesture Sketching

Set a timer for 30 seconds - 1 minute and quickly sketch people, trees, or buildings around you. Focus on capturing the movement or essence, not details. It’s great for warming up your brain to see shapes and proportions quickly.

4. Shape Repetition

Draw simple shapes: circles, squares, triangles, repeatedly across the page. Play with size, pressure, and speed. This builds muscle memory and control.

5. Free Doodle Time

Let your pen roam freely over the page with no rules. Doodle patterns, swirls, or abstract forms. This opens your creativity and reduces any pressure to produce “perfect” sketches.

Tips for Making Warm-Ups a Habit

Set aside 5-10 minutes before each sketching session for warm-ups
Keep a dedicated warm-up page in your sketchbook
Use warm-ups as a way to explore new marks or tools without pressure
Remember: the goal is progress, not perfection

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