Can we have a really honest moment? How many unfinished drawings are sitting in a drawer somewhere… waiting for you to come back?

If you’re nodding along, you’re absolutely not alone. I see this all the time (and I’ve been there myself too).

You start full of excitement.
You’ve found the perfect reference.
You’re ready.

And then…A little way in, something shifts.

The motivation fades.
You start to feel stuck… or a bit bored…
Or you notice all the bits that don’t feel quite right.

So what happens? You start something new. Telling yourself… “I’ll come back to that one.”

But you don’t. And before you know it, you’ve got a whole collection of unfinished drawings.

So, what’s really going on?

This isn’t about discipline. And it’s not about talent. It’s mindset.

We live in a world where everything is instant… but coloured pencils are the complete opposite.

They’re slow. Layered. Quiet. And if you’re relying on that initial excitement to carry you through you’ll always hit a dip.

That moment where it feels harder, slower, and a little less fun? That’s not failure. That’s the process.

The shift that changes everything

At some point, something really clicked for me.

I stopped focusing so much on the outcome and started enjoying the process instead.

The feel of pencil on paper. The gentle building of layers. Those little moments where something starts to come together.

Because when you enjoy the process, you don’t need motivation to finish. You just keep going.

Simple ways to finally finish your drawings

If you’re stuck in a cycle of unfinished drawings, here are a few gentle shifts that can make a big difference:

1. Work on one piece at a time

It’s so much easier to finish when your focus isn’t split across multiple drawings.

2. Expect the “dip”

That drop in motivation is completely normal.
It happens to everyone. Stay with it.

3. Get curious, not critical

Instead of thinking “this isn’t working”, ask yourself: What’s actually bothering me here?

That one question can unlock so much.

4. Try a little reflection

What’s really making you stop?

Is it boredom… or something deeper like fear or self-doubt?

Understanding this can change everything.

5. Make it smaller

Smaller drawings = quicker wins. And those small wins build confidence faster than anything else.

Finishing isn’t about being more motivated. It’s about staying with something even when it stops feeling exciting.That’s where your confidence is built.That’s where real progress happens.

So if you’ve got something unfinished…This is your nudge.

Go back to it. Sit with it. See what happens when you stay.You might just surprise yourself.

Ready to start (and finish) your next piece?

If you’re ready to begin your next drawing – and actually see it through this time – come and draw with me for free.

Join me for my free live Meerkat draw-along at 5 – 7pm (UK time) on Sunday 26th April 2026.

In this relaxed 2 hour session we’ll draw together step by step, and I’ll guide you through those all-important foundations so you don’t feel stuck halfway through.

Save your free place here:

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