The most challenging thing about art is decided what to do! How can you be CREATIVE? Or is your purpose to BUILD TECHNICAL SKILLS? Hopefully this will help you!
OBSERVATION
Observation means drawing from looking at a reference. Most artists prefer to look at a real 3D object as it will be the most authentic interpretation.
Observation drawings are intended to build skill, but elements and principles of art still apply
When drawing from life, consider your paper orientation first- do you think it should be portrait or landscape?
Next, consider how to create a more interesting composition. Drawing something tiny in the middle of your page does not allow you to play with the elements and principles and makes it hard to get to the detail of your piece! Make sure that your drawing is bigger than your hand. Also, you don't want to make it too big so that it goes off the page!
Remember to lay out your composition first lightly in pencil.
Samples of Contemporary Artists that use observation...