From Park Benches to Beachside: How Drawing Outdoors Can Enhance Your Comic Book Art
If you're looking to take your drawing skills to the next level, have you ever considered heading outside? Drawing outdoors can be a super fun and rewarding experience that can help you improve your skills and create even better comics and manga. Here are five reasons why you should give it a try.
CITY SKETCH
Hey there comic and manga fans!
If you're looking to take your drawing skills to the next level, have you ever considered heading outside? Drawing outdoors can be a super fun and rewarding experience that can help you improve your skills and create even better comics and manga. Here are five reasons why you should give it a try.
![City sketching in Villefranche-sur-Mer by artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=467,h=360,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/20130905_123954-mxBEM01Z6giNzM5D.jpg)
![City sketching in Villefranche-sur-Mer by artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=250,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/20130905_123954-mxBEM01Z6giNzM5D.jpg)
1. Reference material galore
When you draw from life, you get to see and observe the world around you in all its detail and glory. This can give you tons of reference material to work with and help you create realistic and convincing environments in your comics and manga.
![City sketcher Evgeny Bondarenko in Hong Kong](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=503,h=583,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/p60517-162612_logo-mp8e9DpVE8uZn2ZG.jpg)
![City sketcher Evgeny Bondarenko in Hong Kong](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=263,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/p60517-162612_logo-mp8e9DpVE8uZn2ZG.jpg)
2. Observation skills on point
Drawing outside also helps you hone your observation skills. By paying close attention to your surroundings, you'll learn to notice things you might have missed before, which can be super useful when it comes to creating characters and objects that look like the real deal.
![City sketch of Kowloon Hong Kong by artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=413,h=606,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/1427959302723-mp8e9Dp2nwhW8rM8.jpg)
![City sketch of Kowloon Hong Kong by artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=161,h=263,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/1427959302723-mp8e9Dp2nwhW8rM8.jpg)
3. Change it up
Drawing outside can also be a great way to mix up your routine and spark new ideas. A change of scenery can help you see things from a different perspective and come up with fresh and creative approaches to your work.
![Linkou metro station by artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=655,h=639,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/ils0517_resize-dWxpBGv7Dzf7Re7w.jpg)
![Linkou metro station by artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=248,h=263,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/ils0517_resize-dWxpBGv7Dzf7Re7w.jpg)
4. Relax and recharge
Drawing outside can be a really relaxing and mindful activity that helps you disconnect from your screens and technology. Taking time to engage with the natural world can be a great way to clear your mind and recharge your creative batteries.
![City sketching in Hong Kong artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=437,h=506,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/p50728-124951-dJoE58WgNVTW9NeO.jpg)
![City sketching in Hong Kong artist Evgeny Bondarenko](https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,w=328,h=263,fit=crop/AzGE71abkVCGO1x3/p50728-124951-dJoE58WgNVTW9NeO.jpg)
5. Get some fresh air
And let's not forget, drawing outside is a great excuse to get some fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors!