1. “What could it be?” (Abstract shapes):
- How to do it: Draw random scribbles or paint blots, or use random shapes you find around you (clouds, coffee grounds and so on). Then look at them closely and try to see objects, animals, people, landscapes and more in them.
- Goal: This exercise develops your ability to see images in the abstract, to “fill in the gaps” and to create new meanings.
2. Combining the unexpected:
- How to do it: Take two or three completely unrelated objects or ideas (for example, “a flying fish”, “a tree house”, “a robot musician”). Try to imagine what they might look like together, then draw them.
- Goal: Develops out-of-the-box thinking and the ability to create hybrid images and surreal compositions.
3. Telling a story from a picture:
- How to do it: Take a random image (from a magazine, the internet or your own photos) and try to invent the story behind it. What happened before, what is happening now, what will happen next? Who are these characters? What is their relationship?
- Goal: Stimulates narrative thinking and develops your ability to create plots and characters.
4. “Change the story”:
- How to do it: Take a well-known fairy tale, myth or historical event. Change one key element (for example, what if Little Red Riding Hood were the predator and the wolf her victim? What if the Leaning Tower of Pisa had been straight until something unusual bent it?). Then visualise and draw this altered reality.
- Goal: Trains you to be creative in breaking familiar patterns and lets you see things from a different angle.
5. Blind contour drawing:
- How to do it: Place an object in front of you. Don’t look at the paper — look only at the object as you trace its outline with your line. The aim isn’t a perfect drawing but to make your brain synchronise what your eyes see with the movement of your hand.
- Goal: Develops observation skills, the basis of realistic drawing, and also helps switch off the “logical” brain so your imagination can work more freely.
6. Drawing from words (visualising text):
- How to do it: Choose a passage from a book, poem or song that is rich in vivid descriptions. Try to draw what you imagine while reading it. Don’t limit yourself to a literal depiction — let your imagination develop the images.
- Goal: Improves your ability to visualise from a verbal description, which is essential for illustrators and concept artists.
7. “Stream of consciousness” (Freewriting / Freepainting):
- How to do it: With no plan and no judgement, simply draw or write whatever comes to mind. Don’t think about quality, only about the flow of ideas. You can set a timer, for example for 10–15 minutes.
- Goal: Helps you overcome the “fear of the blank page”, free your subconscious and let ideas come out.
8. Observing and memorising details:
- How to do it: Set aside 5–10 minutes a day to carefully observe one object, person or scene. Try to remember as many details as possible — colours, textures, shadows, movements. Then, without looking, try to draw it from memory.
- Goal: Trains your visual memory, which is key to developing imagination and the ability to reproduce images.
9. Building a “world”:
- How to do it: Invent your own fictional world. It could be a planet, a city, a forest or even a room. Think through its history, inhabitants, their clothing, architecture, flora, fauna and the rules of this world. Then start drawing scenes from it.
- Goal: Develops your imagination on a large scale and lets you create coherent, consistent visual narratives.
General tips:
- Be consistent: It’s important to do these exercises regularly, not just now and then. Even 15–20 minutes a day will bring results.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, materials and styles.
- Don’t criticise yourself: In the early stages the process matters more than a perfect result. Allow yourself to make mistakes.
- Get inspired: Visit exhibitions, look at other artists’ work, read books, watch films — all of these can become sources of new ideas.
- Keep a sketchbook: Always have a notebook to hand so you can capture any idea that comes to mind.
Developing fantasy and imagination is an ongoing process that requires openness to new things and a willingness to experiment.