How I Scribbled And Swirled My Way Back To A Daily Drawing Habit

by Patrick Penrose Published Nov 13, 2025

A few months ago, I had grown bored with my sketching—I felt like I had nothing new to say and drawing felt more like a chore than a hobby.

I decided to start experimenting with new techniques, including a type of scumbling where I just scribbled looping lines to create portraits. I found the technique really fun to do, and I liked the kinetic energy that it added to a portrait.

Obsessed, I now create one portrait each night, and thought I might as well start sharing them. Fingers crossed that people like them even a tiny fraction of how much I enjoy making them!