Do you ever look at the objects around you and wonder if there’s more magic hidden in their ordinary shapes? In April, I carried this little teapot home from China in my luggage — tucked carefully, wrapped in a box and a sweater, hoping it would survive the journey. 🧳☕
It did.
Now it sits with the others, this new addition to my small teapot family, its koi fish swimming in red ink around its round belly, a Chinese seal stamped proudly on its side like a signature.
I’ve been drinking tea from it for weeks. But it wasn’t until I sat down to sketch it — really look at it — that I noticed how the glaze catches the light, how beautifully detailed the fish is, how much character lives in something that fits in the palm of your hand.
That’s why I sketch the small things. Not to preserve them — they’re already here — but to finally meet them.

And so began my Teapot Sketching Challenge Class—a gentle invitation to slow down, notice, and sketch the humble beauty right in front of us.

Here are the 2 Chinese tea pots. I brought

At first, I thought, “How many ways can you draw a teapot before you get bored?” But the more I sketched, the more I noticed: the subtle curves, the reflections in the glaze, the way each teapot seemed to have its own personality. It’s amazing how focusing on a single subject can open up a whole world of creative play and mindfulness.

What the Teapot Challenge has taught me:

• Repetition brings discovery. Drawing the same object every day reveals new details and helps you loosen up. Each sketch is different, even if the subject stays the same.
• Limits spark creativity. By narrowing your focus, you actually free your mind to experiment—try different angles, colors, or even add a playful background.
• Everyday objects are treasures. The ordinary becomes extraordinary when you give it your attention. There’s beauty in the chipped spout and the faded patterns.
• Gentle challenges build habits. A simple daily drawing keeps your sketchbook habit alive, without pressure or perfectionism.

And here's the Indian tea pot with a background. Do you prefer it with our without background?