The 100 Day Project | Days 21-30

For the last nine years, I’ve approached the 100-Day Project the same way - creating a hundred of something. A hundred painted pages. A hundred collages. A hundred whatevers.

But this year? I decided to do something completely different.

Instead of making a hundred things, I’m spending these 100 days just… learning.

Watching lessons. Trying techniques. Bouncing around between different classes to see what really lights me up. No pressure to produce a specific outcome. Just permission to explore and build skills I’ve been putting off.

And honestly? It’s flying by.

I can’t believe I’m already past day 30. There’s something about committing to this daily practice of just learning - without the pressure of creating a finished “thing” - that’s been way more enjoyable than I expected.

Here’s a flip-through of days 21-30.

If you’ve been putting off learning something new in your own creative practice, maybe this is your permission slip too? It doesn’t have to be a hundred of anything. It can just be showing up to learn.

Day 21:

Wonky sketches of an ink bottle in pen and pencil. Still learning and found this rather difficult. 🥴

Day 22:

Landscape thumbnails using MapCrunch for reference photos. Still working on perspective which is quite challenging. 😊

Day 23:

Well… this one got a little wonky. 🤣 Cups are harder than they look—so many angles when they really just want to be round. This is my (slightly fancy) water cup, and those little side handles? Definitely giving off Dumbo octopus vibes 🐙

Days 24 & 25:

Pencil sketches while out of town. Only had a short amount of time each day to practice.

Days 26 & 27:

Quick sketch play with crayons, pencils, watercolor and acrylic using MapCrunch for references. Sketching with Nathalia Velásquez @puapualena via her Patreon.

Day 28:

Agave Pina - Working through a new class with @amystewart on Skillshare. Pencil and watercolor and I had to add a little pen to finish it off. 🖋️

Day 29:

Cappuccino on a tray with a napkin and spoon - Working through a new class with @amystewart on Skillshare.

Day 30:

Croissant on a plate with a jelly pot and spoon. My hubby was like, “What is that thing”? Working through a new class with @amystewart on Skillshare. 🥐

MENTIONed IN THIS POST

In keeping with the idea of drifting, I’ve been watching different videos and lessons from different people to get a variety of perspectives. Some days I follow along with a live session. Other days I work through a recorded class at my own pace.

This approach has kept me motivated and curious - and honestly, it’s kept me from getting bored.

If you’re interested in exploring a sketching practice of your own, here are the teachers, classes, and tools that made these first 10 days possible.

🔗 Nathalia Velásquez: Check out Nathalia’s Patreon for lots of sketching inspiration. During her live sessions, I have really enjoyed the timed sketching. It is challenging but fun to limit yourself to short sketching times. See her Youtube and Instagram for lots of inspiration.

🔗 Amy Stewart: Youtube AND Instagram AND Skillshare.

Curious to see what happens next?

I’m sharing all 100 days in one place. 👇🏻

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY

The 100 Day Project Companion

Available in Print + Digital download

Notice, Reflect and Stay Connected

Whether this is your first year or your fifth, having support without pressure makes all the difference. The 100 Day Project Companion offers gentle structure, thoughtful prompts, and space to notice what’s unfolding - without needing to track every detail or stay perfectly on schedule.