Ruth Martin

Hey Isabel. Starting a daily drawing habit with just 20 minutes is totally doable and especially since you're focusing on basics like line control and shading. Keep it simple with your paper and pencils, and aim for consistency over perfection. Begin each session with a quick warm-up, like scribbling loose circles for a minute to loosen your hand. Then dive into the main exercise, and end with a fun doodle to keep things light. For a week's routine, try this: On day one, practice straight lines by drawing rows of them at different speeds, noticing how steady you get. Day two, work on curves, like arcs or waves, filling a page with variations. Day three, combine them into simple shapes, such as cubes or spheres with basic outlines. Day four, introduce shading by hatching lines on those shapes to add depth. Day five, focus on cross-hatching for more texture, maybe on a quick apple sketch. Day six, blend techniques with a small still life, like shading a pencil on your desk. Day seven, review the week by redrawing something from day one and comparing. To track progress, date each page in your sketchbook and jot a quick note on what felt better, like 'lines are smoother today.' This keeps it enjoyable without pressure, and seeing small wins will motivate you. If a day feels off, just doodle something silly like a cartoon face to end on a high note.

Do a quick tap test with the jar off, and if the base sounds smooth then tighten the blade assembly and treat a rough hand turn as a failing bearing. If the bare motor grinds, check the drive connector, unplug to clear debris and snug loose parts, and stop for any burning smell so it can cool before you try again.