The block-in - the line drawing that acts as a blueprint for shading - is the first step of a realistic drawing.

In this 14-day challenge, you'll build dexterity and confidence with your pencil as you explore core strategies used in this essential first step.

Each day, you'll follow short, focused video lessons that help you build four essential skills:

  • Sharpening your eye by learning to visualize fractions and proportional relationships
  • Refining the precision of your hand through targeted drawing drills
  • Strengthening hand-eye coordination as you learn the fundamentals of comparative measurement
  • Bringing it all together by combining these skills into the early steps of the block-in process

Each day builds naturally on the last, helping you translate small, repeatable drills into big improvements in control, accuracy, and ease. These drills build the foundation for confident, accurate drawing - one step at a time.

🎯 Introducing the Daily Drawing Drills Challenge

14 days · 10–15 minutes a day

You'll Learn How To:
  • Draw clean, confident lines — from wobbly to precise
  • Improve your freehand geometric shapes, circles, and ellipses - tools you'll use in your block-ins
  • Visualize and draw simple fractions and proportional relationships
  • Segment lines and judge distances with greater accuracy
  • Apply comparative measurement to draw your subjects at any size
  • Block in simple and cylindrical forms using a clear, step-by-step process
  • Add depth and dimension with cross-contour lines


These are the foundational building blocks of confident, accurate block-ins for realistic drawing. You'll build upon them in every future drawing stage.

🧰 What’s Included
  • 14 short, focused video lessons (most under 10 minutes)
  • A simple, progressive 14-day structure that makes daily practice easy
  • Printable practice sheets
  • Step-by-step guidance from a professional artist and educator
  • Strategies you’ll carry into every future drawing

No overwhelm, no guesswork — just 10–15 minutes a day of guided, focused practice that adds up.

🌱 This Challenge Is Perfect For:
  • Beginners who want to build confident, accurate drawing skills from the ground up
  • Artists returning to drawing and wanting a gentle, structured way to rebuild consistency
  • Anyone who feels rusty and wants to reconnect with their pencil
  • Students who want to understand and begin practicing the block-in process
  • Artists looking for short, effective drills to strengthen hand–eye coordination and precision


By the end of 14 days, you’ll notice a lighter, steadier touch, and a sense that your hand finally does what your eye intends.

đź’¬ Students Wins from the Challenge

“This Challenge was perfect for me. It got me back to the drawing board and yes, the ease/comfort with a pencil definitely improves with daily use! Thank you so much for putting this Challenge together!”
— Karrie L.


“Thank you, having little time is the challenge for setting aside drawing time and this is a great help to achieve the goal of spending more time drawing.”
— Karen S.

“I have not been able to pick up my pencil for at least six months and am so happy I’m drawing again.”
— Betty H.

“Thank you for this challenge. I’ve noticed more ease with each of the shapes, and I see improvement today compared to when I started.”
— Miriam Z.

“Marina—this was liberating!”
— John C.

🗺️ You Are Here


This Challenge is part of Phase 1: Accuracy, Dexterity & Control in the Atelier curriculum — a structured learning path that guides you step by step from core skills to confident, realistic drawing.

You can take this Challenge inside the Atelier, along with the rest of the curriculum, in a clear, guided sequence.

You're not just practicing — you're building the foundation for everything that comes next.

Join the Atelier to access this Challenge — and follow a clear path forward with the full Atelier curriculum:

Monthly and annual subscription options available.