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100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love

If you’re anything like me, you can never get enough good sketchbook ideas. I’m always looking for ways to engage students so that they truly  want  to work in their sketchbooks. Whether you use sketchbooks for project planning, skill development, brainstorming, or something else, you’ll find ideas here that will work for you. My sketchbook assignments and prompts take an “all of the above” approach, making the following list well-rounded.

Want an eBook with all these prompts? Click 100 Sketchbook Prompts eBook to find it!  

The list covers many bases and is organized by category. There are prompts about animals, food, people, and other things that will spark interest among students. This list is geared toward secondary students, but you’ll find a lot here that will work for younger students as well. Take a look and see what will work best for you and your students. Add your own favorite sketchbook assignment in the comments below!

Click here  to download the list!

These prompts are an amazing place to start. However, knowing how to implement the prompts and manage students with sketchbooks is important, too! If you’d like ideas to help your students develop their creativity, drawings skills, and information retention, be sure to check out the following two PRO Packs, which can be found in our PRO Learning .

• Sketchbook Ideas that Really Work  
• Implementing Sketchnotes in the Art Room

100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love

• Draw someone you sit by in an odd pose.
• Draw family members with things that are important to them.
• Draw yourself (or someone else) painting toenails.
• Find a quiet place in a crowd. Draw the crowd.
• Draw a relative by the light cast from a TV/Phone/Computer or other screen.
• Make a portrait of yourself in twenty years. Or in fifty years. Or both.
• Draw a masked man (or woman) that is not a superhero.
• Draw the ugliest baby you can imagine.
• Draw two sports figures–one in a dynamic pose, one in a static pose.
• Draw two self-portraits with odd expressions.
• Draw something or someone you love.
• Draw hair. A lot of it.
• Take a picture of someone near you on a bus or in a car. Draw them.
• Draw an animal eating another animal.
• Draw your art teacher in a fight with an animal.
• Draw an animal playing a musical instrument.
• There is an animal living in one of your appliances. Draw it.
• Draw a dead bird in a beautiful landscape.
• Draw something from a pet’s point of view.
• Draw an animal taking a bath.
• Draw an animal taking a human for a walk.
• Combine 3 existing animals to create a completely new creature.
• Draw a family portrait. Plot twist: It is a family of insects or animals.
• Draw the most terrifying animal you can imagine. Or the most adorable.
• Draw a pile of dishes before they get washed.
• Tighten a C-Clamp on a banana. Draw it.
• Draw a slice of the best pizza you have ever seen.
• Draw junk food and the wrapper.
• Draw your favorite food.
• Create your own restaurant. Draw the restaurant, your executive chef, and a 12-item menu.
• Draw the ingredients or process of your favorite recipe.
• Draw salt and pepper shakers.
• Draw fresh fruit or vegetables, or something fresh from the oven.
• Draw a salad.
• Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator.
• Draw a piece of fruit every day until it becomes rotten.
• Draw everything on a restaurant table.
• Draw what is in the rearview mirror of the car.
• Draw moving water. Draw still water.
• Draw an object floating.
• Make a drawing of all of your drawing materials.
• Find a trash can. Draw its contents.
• Draw tools that belong to a certain profession.
• Draw three objects and their environments. One of the three should be in motion.
• Draw the interior of a mechanical object. Zoom in, focus on details and shading.
• Create three drawings of messes you have made.
• Draw five objects with interesting textures: wood grain, floors, tiles, walls, fabric, etc.
• Draw a collection of purses, wallets, or bags.
• Draw your favorite well-loved object or childhood toy.
• Draw a watch or another piece of jewelry.
• Draw something hideous that you keep for sentimental reasons.
• Draw something with a mirror image.

Technical Skill/Skill Development

• Draw all the contents of your junk drawer with one continuous line.
• Make a detailed drawing of a rock.
• Draw a dark object in a light environment.
• Draw a light object in a dark environment.
• Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of grass.
• Draw a transparent object.
• Draw a translucent object.
• Do several studies of eyes, noses, and mouths in a variety of poses.
• Draw an interesting object from three different angles.
• Value Studies–Draw three eggs and part of the carton with a strong light source.
• Draw three metallic objects that reflect light. Focus on highlights and reflections.
• Refraction–Create two drawings of separate objects partially submerged in water.
• Make three drawings (your choice of subject) using materials with which you are not familiar.
• Draw a piece of patterned fabric with folds.
• Draw a bridge and all of its details.

Creativity/Originality

• Draw yourself as an original superhero.
• Make a drawing that looks sticky.
• Draw a mysterious doorway or staircase.
• Draw an empty room. Make it interesting.
• Draw a flower. Make it dangerous.
• Draw an object melting.
• Draw an imaginary place, adding all kinds of details.
• Draw a gumball machine that dispenses anything but gumballs.
• Danger! Draw yourself in a dangerous situation.
• You are on the back of the bus. Figure out who is with you, where you are going, and why. Illustrate and explain.
• Draw what’s under your bed (real or imagined).
• Draw the most incredible game of hide-and-seek you can imagine.
• Create a new sport. You can improve an existing sport, combine two existing sports, or come up with something completely new.

Open-Ended Themes

• Make a drawing that is totally truthful.
• Make a drawing that lies all over the place.
• Make a drawing that is completely and utterly impossible.
• Story Illustration: Fix a story that you don’t like, or reflect/improve upon one you do.
• Let someone else choose your subject and tell you what to draw.
• Draw your greatest fear.
• Use song lyrics, quotes, or poetry to inspire a drawing.
• Find the three most useless objects you can and draw them.
• Draw an interesting form of transportation.
• Draw something for which you are thankful.
• Go somewhere new and draw what you see.
• Draw something that can’t be turned off.
• Draw something soothing.
• Draw something you think sounds or smells incredible.
• Draw something that needs fixing.
• Draw something you’ve always wanted.
• Draw something out of place.
• Draw something that should have been invented by now.
• Draw something you keep putting off, or something that causes you to procrastinate.

Does this list inspire you to take some sketchbook assignments head on in your art room? Or maybe the opposite is true and you are finding that you feel underprepared to teach drawing skills. Maybe you fall somewhere in between and you just need a little more inspiration to tweak your drawing curriculum. These are all great reasons to take a peek at our course, Studio: Drawing . The class is jam-packed with hands-on learning experiences, advanced technique tutorials, and opportunities to share and learn with art teachers just like you.

What are your favorite sketchbook prompts to use? How do you use sketchbooks in your classroom?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Timothy Bogatz

Tim Bogatz is AOEU’s Content & PD Event Manager and a former AOEU Writer and high school art educator. He focuses on creativity development, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking skills in the art room.

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70 Easy Drawings You Can Do in 5 Minutes or Less

Do you want to learn how to draw but don’t have much time? Or maybe you’re an experienced artist who wants some easy drawings to do on the side. Either way, this blog post is for you! 

We’ve collected the best easy drawings you can complete in 5 minutes or less, perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.

Ready to give easy drawings a try? Grab your pencils and paper, find yourself an easy drawing idea , and let’s get started!

Choosing Your Pencils and Paper

The first step in the drawing process is choosing the right tools. 

A standard No. 2 pencil and drawing paper will work just fine, but you can also use colored pencils or markers to add some extra flair to your drawings.

If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with simple black-and-white easy sketches before moving on to more complex colored drawings. That way, you can practice the basics and gain confidence in your drawing skills before adding color.

Finding Easy Drawings

Now that you have your pencils and paper, it’s time to find easy drawing ideas. There are plenty of online resources with easy drawings for beginners, including YouTube drawing videos and art blogs. 

We’ve also included a few easy drawing ideas below that you can print out or draw directly from the screen.

You can also explore easy drawings in nature, like simple shapes and patterns found in plants and animals. Again, start with easy sketches before adding color to make sure you’re comfortable with your tools and techniques.

1. Spaceship

Less than five minutes?! Yes, it’s possible! You don’t have to be an artist to draw a spaceship, and they look even better with color. 

Start by drawing a simple shape for your rocket ship’s hull. Then add details like engine exhaust, windows, wings, stars, and asteroids to make it more interesting.

If you want to learn how to draw the zombie in Plants vs. Zombies, here’s an easy video tutorial.

Drawing a zombie may seem intimidating, but with the right techniques, you can create a scary-looking creature in only 5 minutes. 

Start by sketching out the overall shape of the head and body. Then add details such as eyes, teeth, and hair to give your zombie a unique look. 

If you want to take it one step further, you can add a few rips and tears to the clothing, giving your zombie more of an undead look.

Pikachu is one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in the world of Pokémon. Drawing Pikachu can be a fun and quick way to pass a few minutes while also honing your drawing skills.

Start by sketching out the basic shape, starting with the iconic ears, eyes, and mouth. Then add details like fur and whiskers to bring your drawing to life!

With a few strokes of your pencil, you’ll have an adorable Pikachu drawing in no time.

4. Doraemon

Doraemon is a beloved Japanese anime character and an easy drawing activity for people of all ages. 

Start by sketching a circle for the face with his signature ears and nose, then add details like whiskers or glasses to make him look more like the real thing. Give your creation life by adding color!

5. Laughing Santa

Recreating a laughing Santa is the perfect way to channel your inner child.

Begin by sketching Santa’s face, then add details like rosy red cheeks or twinkling eyes to make him look more cheerful. Finally, color it in for an extra-fun result!

6. Christmas Tree

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than drawing a Christmas tree ?

Start with the tree’s shape, then add details like ornaments and candy canes for an extra fun look. Coloring in your design will give it a festive look.

7. Gingerbread Man

What could be more fun than creating your little gingerbread friend? Begin by sketching the gingerbread man’s outline, then add details like buttons and eyes. Once you’re finished drawing out your design, it’s time to bring it to life with color.

8. Christmas Penguin

Adding a Christmas penguin drawing to your décor is an excellent way to spread holiday cheer! Sketch the penguin’s body, then add details like a Santa hat or festive scarf for extra holiday spirit. For even more fun, color it in shades of black and white.

9. Candy Cane

You’ll have a blast drawing a candy cane! To start, capture the classic shape of the cane with your pencil, then add stripes or other designs to make it look more lifelike. You could even color it in for an extra-sweet result!

It doesn’t matter whether you use black-and-white or color to draw a wolf—it will look great either way. 

Start by drawing the wolf’s face with pointed ears, then add details like fur and eyes to finish it off. Consider shading and adding texture to give your easy drawing a sense of depth.

11. Baby Shark

Baby shark is a charming, easy-to-follow sketch that features a smiling shark with big eyes, a wide grin, and a friendly fin. 

This drawing looks great in both black-and-white and color, so it’s easy to customize and make your own!

12. Cute Dress

Here’s a video tutorial on drawing a cute girly dress.

If you like fashion drawings, this easy dress sketch is perfect for you. It features a simple silhouette with some interesting details like pleats and ruffles. 

Just draw the outline of a dress with a few lines and curves, then add some extra details to make it your own.

13. Cute Girl

Here’s another easy-to-follow sketch featuring a cute girl with big eyes and an adorable expression. 

This one looks great in both black-and-white and color – just draw the basic shape of the girl, then add some extra details to make your drawing unique.

14. Lollipop

Here’s a video of how to draw an easy lollipop.

Another easy drawing idea is this lollipop sketch. 

Draw a curved line for the stick and an oval shape for the candy. Then, add some swirls and other details to make it your own. If you’re feeling creative, you can add color to your design.

15. Mickey Mouse

Here’s a classic drawing idea for Disney fans – Mickey Mouse! 

Draw circles for his head and ears, then add details like eyes, nose, and mouth to finish it off. This one looks great in black and white or with a few colorful touches.

You can also follow this easy tutorial: 

16. Anime Eyes

If you’re looking for easy anime drawings, this is a great place to start. Simply draw two circles and add some details like eyelashes and pupils to make it your own. If you’re feeling creative, go ahead and color it in!

Here’s a guide on how to color anime eyes:

Drawing a UFO is simple and enjoyable. Start by drawing the round shape of the UFO, then add details like stars or aliens to make it more interesting. You can also color it for an extra-cool result.

18. Camping Area

Here’s another great idea for your next drawing – a camping scene! 

You can draw the outline of a tent, trees, and stars in the night sky. Add some extra details, like people around the campfire or animal drawings walking by, to make it more interesting.

If you’re looking for drawing ideas for beginners , this simple nose sketch is perfect. 

Once you’ve got your basic shape, start adding shading to give the nose a three-dimensional effect. Use hatching or crosshatching techniques to create shadows and highlights on your drawing.

20. Diamond

Here’s a quick but fabulous drawing idea – a diamond! Just draw four shapes and connect them together, then add some extra details to make it your own. You can also paint it to make it look more glamorous.

21. Easter Bunny

Why not try this adorable Easter bunny drawing idea? Draw two big ears, then add eyes, whiskers, and a fluffy tail to finish it off. If you’re feeling extra festive, bring out the coloring supplies and have at it!

22. Cute Cat

If you’re looking for an easy drawing idea, why not try a cat? Draw the cat with two ears and eyes, then add details like whiskers, fur tufts, and claws to make it your own. You can also color it if you want to add some extra flair.

Roses have been used to symbolize love, beauty, and admiration for centuries, so creating your version of this classic flower is sure to make any art project special.

Simply draw the petals, then add some details like leaves and buds. Not only can you color it to create a lovely piece of art, but you can also frame it and hang it up for all to see!

Drawing a braid is easy and fun! Draw a curved line with some loops, then add details like beads or flowers to make it more interesting. Coloring your braid drawing is a great way to give it extra personality.

25. Eifel Tower

Do you want to draw an iconic structure in less than 5 minutes? Then the Eiffel Tower could be your perfect choice! 

Start by sketching a rough outline of the tower and then add details like windows and balconies. You can also add details like plants or people at the foot of the tower for added dimension.

26. Tiny Penguin

Did you know that penguins are one of the easiest animal drawings? 

Sketch the penguin with two flippers, then add some details like eyes, beak, and feathers. If you want to make your design even cuter, color it in!

27. Sea Turtle

This cute little guy is a breeze to draw and will only take about five minutes of your time! 

Start with the long oval body, then add rounder shapes for the flippers and head. Outline it in black ink and finish off with some scales and details. You can use colorful markers to create a fun pattern on the turtle’s shell.

Here’s another easy way to draw a turtle:

28. Baby Alligator

This super-easy drawing can be done in minutes and is a great place to start for beginner artists. 

Begin by drawing the shape of an alligator’s head, followed by the neck. Then draw two parallel curved lines at the bottom to make the legs. Finish it with two small circles on its back for eyes, and you’re done!

29. Planets

Drawing planets can be a great way to show off your artistic skills! Use colors like blues and greens or vibrant shades for a fun look. 

Outline the planets’ round shapes, then add details like stars and asteroids. You can even use different shades of color to give your planet depth and texture.

Here’s how to draw our solar system:

30. Little Mermaid

If you’re looking for a cute and easy drawing idea that only takes 5 minutes or less, why not try the Little Mermaid? 

Start by sketching a rough outline of the mermaid’s body. Make sure to include her long flowing hair, then add details like eyes, nose, and lips. Finish off the drawing with a tail and a seashell necklace. 

Not only is drawing hands easy, but it’s also therapeutic. Just draw circles for the joints, then add lines for the fingers to finish it off. Alternatively, you can add shadows to give it more depth.

Draw a simple mouth with teeth in five minutes or less! 

Sketch the outline of the lips, then draw several small curved lines to create a set of teeth. You can also add other elements like tongue if you want.

Anyone can have fun drawing dice, regardless of skill level! Just draw simple lines and slight curves, then add details like numbers to make it more interesting. You can also color it in for a vibrant look.

34. Ballerina Shoes

You don’t have to be a professional artist to draw beautiful ballerina shoes that look amazing in any color scheme. 

All you need are simple shapes for the shoe’s sole, heel, and straps, and then add details like ribbons, buckles, or bows. Once you’ve got your shoes down, try experimenting with different colors and textures to give your drawing a unique twist.

35. Woman’s Face

In less than 5 minutes, you can draw a woman’s face with some realistic features. Start by sketching out the shapes and then add facial features like eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. 

You can also add details like hair and eyebrows to make it lifelike. To finish your masterpiece, use shading and color to bring out the different elements of your drawing.

36. Head in the Clouds

This timeless design can be recreated in five minutes or less – perfect for when you only have a little time to spare! 

Draw an oval shape for the head, then add details like stars or birds to make it more interesting. When you daydream, it’s easy to let your mind wander and feel at ease.

37. Astronaut

Children will love this easy step-by-step drawing of an astronaut. Draw a space suit with a helmet, then add details like stars and planets to make it more exciting.

Here’s another way to do it:

38. Elephant

Drawing an elephant can be fun and easy, taking only 3 to 5 minutes of your time.

Start by drawing the head and trunk of the elephant. From there, fill in details like eyes, legs, tail, tusks, and other features that give it its unique charm. Once satisfied with your drawing, you can add color to make it more lively and interesting.

You can have an elephant drawing session with kids by following this tutorial:

39. Message in a Bottle

Drawing a message in a bottle is an easy and fun way to express your creativity. Just draw a bottle, then add details like stars or messages to make it more interesting. Or, you can color it in for an even more magical look.

40. Nature in a Triangle

Incorporating nature into your drawings is easy and will make them look great. Start with a triangle, then add details like trees, mountains, or birds to make it more interesting. For an even more beautiful look, color it in!

41. Unicorn

Drawing unicorns is one of the most popular doodles out there! It’s not only fun to draw but also quite simple. 

Start by outlining a unicorn, then use your pencil to draw horns from the highest point of its head. Give your unicorn some ears, eyes, and a mouth. If you want, you can color it for a truly magical result!

Here’s another easy way to do it:

42. Octopus

Who doesn’t love drawing an octopus? You can have a great-looking octopus with just a few simple lines. 

First, draw the head and body of the octopus using curved lines. Then add eight tentacles and some suction cups. Finish by drawing the eyes, and you’ll have an amazing drawing in less than five minutes!

43. Hedgehog

Draw a cute and simple hedgehog that kids will love with this easy step-by-step guide! Start by drawing an oval shape for the body, then add details like spines and a nose to finish it off.

You can also follow this video:

This easy drawing idea of a whale is perfect for beginners and looks great in any color palette. 

Just draw an oval shape for the whale’s body, then add details like eyes and fins. Voila! You now have a cute whale swimming in the ocean. Not bad for 5 minutes of drawing time!

Another easy drawing idea you can do in five minutes or less! Owls are a popular subject for many artists, and with good reason – they have wide eyes, big wings, and intricate feathers. 

Drawing an owl is easier than it looks. To get started, lightly sketch the shape of the head and body of the owl using a pencil. Then, add details like the eyes and wings, ensuring correct proportions.

Here’s a clever and easy way to draw an owl using the Number 22:

No matter your skill level, you can draw a cute panda in less than 5 minutes! Start by drawing a circle for the head and body, then add two circles for the eyes and black patches for the paws.

Here’s a quick guide on how to draw a panda:

A duck is one of the easiest animal drawings and a classic choice for kids. Draw its simple shape – an oval for its head with a curved bill, then add details like wings and feathers.

Finally, add some feet to your duck with a few curved lines! With these easy steps, you can draw an adorable duck in just 5 minutes or less.

Here’s how to draw a realistic duck using the Number 2 as a guide:

48. Sleeping Moon

The moon is one of the easiest things to draw, and it can be quite calming. 

Just draw a crescent moon, then add details like stars or clouds to make it more interesting. You can also color it in with different shades of blue and gray for an extra-magical look.

49. Smiling Sun

Drawing a sun is an easy way to satisfy your creative urges. First, draw a circle with beams of light, then add extras like clouds or planets to make it more captivating. For an even sunnier result, color it yellow and orange.

50. Dragonfly

Kids will love drawing a dragonfly! To begin, sketch the body of the insect on your paper. You can draw an oval shape for the head and two attached wings. 

Then, draw four thin legs extending from each side of the body. Finally, add a few details like eyes and antennas to make it look more lifelike.

51. Band-aid

This simple drawing only takes a few minutes to complete, and it looks great! Begin by sketching the outline of a band-aid with curved sides. Then have some fun and go wild by adding extras like stars or hearts.

52. Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus is one of the easiest dinosaurs to try out if you’re just starting with drawing. Its recognizable shapes make it a good subject for even novice artists.

Start by sketching the body and the triangular plates down the back of the dinosaur. Then, add triangular spikes on the end of its tail. Finally, draw four legs and a head with two eyes to complete your stegosaurus drawing!

53. Eye Glasses

Sketching glasses are a great way to spend your extra time. To start, establish the outline of the glasses by drawing the frame and a bridge. After that, add authentic details like lenses. Fill your design with color for an extra-cool look.

54. Ice Cream

Ice cream is delicious, and drawing it can be a fun way to show off your artistic skills. Begin by sketching a scoop of ice cream cone, then add details like sprinkles or chocolate syrup for a delicious look. For a tasty finish, paint it with various colors!

55. Tea Cup

Drawing a tea cup is an easy and creative way to practice your drawing skills. Start by sketching the cup’s shape, making sure you pay attention to the details like its handle and saucer. 

You can add more elements, such as steam or patterns around the cup. Finally, give it some dimension by adding colors and shadows.

56. Cute Cake

Designing a cake with pencil and paper is simple and fun. Draw a circle or oval shape for the cake with frosting, then add details like candles and sprinkles to give it that special touch. For more fun, color it with different shades for a vibrant finish.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to draw a BTS cake:

57. Cute Lipstick

Drawing cute lipstick is an easy and fun idea for anyone looking to create a quick sketch. 

Start by lightly drawing an oval shape in the center of the page. From there, draw two small circles at the bottom of the oval for the base of the lipstick tube. Create details like ridges along the tube or swirls on the cap.

58. Cupcake

Draw a cupcake in under 5 minutes! All you need is some paper, pencils and your imagination. 

Sketch a simple circle for the base of the cupcake and some curved lines. After that, add details like sprinkles or icing. To finish it off, use multiple colors to make it look extra sweet.

59. Rainbow Cloud

With this easy tutorial, you’ll be drawing a rainbow cloud in no time! 

Start by sketching the basic shapes of clouds with a rainbow in between, then add details like raindrops to make it look more lifelike. For extra color and charm, paint it with shades of yellow, pink, and blue.

60. Cute Shooting Star

This is another easy drawing idea you can complete in less than 5 minutes. Begin by outlining the star, then add details like streaks or sparkles. And that’s it! 

You now have a cute shooting star drawing that you can color with shades of yellow and pink for a magical finish.

61. Apple Watch

Drawing an Apple Watch is not only easy but also a fun way to bring technology to life. 

Sketch the shape of the watch and its iconic buttons, then add details like bands or stickers for a more realistic look. Color it in with shades of white and silver for an extra-enjoyable result!

62. Cute Watermelon

This cute watermelon drawing is super easy to create and can be done in under 5 minutes! 

Draw the large oval shape of the watermelon. Don’t forget to add seeds, texture, and color using just a few simple lines. Draw stripes along the sides of your watermelon to give it its unique look.

63. Yummy Pizza

Try your hand at drawing a delicious-looking pizza in just 5 minutes or less. With some creativity and helpful tips from us, you can have a great-looking pizza drawing in no time.

Start by sketching out a round pizza shape with your pencil. Then, draw fun details like pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, or cheese – whatever looks best to you!

64. Cute Basketball

Anyone can channel their inner athlete by drawing a cute basketball. Draw a circle for the ball, then add details like stars or stripes for a more playful look. Finally, color it in with different shades of orange and yellow for an extra-fun result!

65. Chimney

Drawing a chimney is a great way to express creativity in a short amount of time. Once the shapes are down, feel free to customize your chimney however you’d like! 

Add some smoke coming out of the top, or make it look more elaborate with extra decorations. You can even combine different types of bricks for an interesting effect.

66. Pumpkin

Pumpkins are a classic drawing idea, and this one is easy to do in minutes. 

Just draw an oval shape with a few lines for the stem and leaves, then you’re done! You can also add some details like eyes, teeth, or vines if you want to make it more complex.

67. Spooky Ghost

Use your artistic skills to create a spooky ghost! 

First, sketch the shape of a ghost. Then add eyes, arms, or any other details you want. Finally, use shades of white and grey for the color scheme to make it look extra creepy.

Who doesn’t love a donut? Draw one with this easy tutorial! 

Begin by sketching two circles for the donut, then add details like sprinkles or frosting. To finish it off, color it in with shades of pink and brown for an extra-delicious result!

Try your hand at being creative by sketching a monkey. First, draw the monkey’s face, then add features such as fur or a mouth. Make it extra fun by coloring it with shades of brown and yellow.

70. Hello Kitty

Drawing Hello Kitty is a fantastic way to widen your creativity and imagination. Start by sketching a bow and a circle for her head, then add details like whiskers for an extra-cute look. For even more fun, color it in shades of pink and white.

There you have it! We hope you had fun practicing your skills and found easy drawing ideas that inspire you to create something unique . 

Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a seasoned pro, easy things to draw are a great way to practice and improve your skills. Enjoy!

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365 Drawing Ideas for Your Sketchbook

Need some ideas for what to draw in your sketchbook? This list of 365 drawing ideas is sure to inspire you to doodle, draw, or sketch something every single day of the year!

This list of 365 drawing ideas is sure to inspire you to doodle, draw, or sketch something every single day of the year! You can choose whether to draw one drawing a day, go in the list in order, or simply skip around and choose the ones you like best!

Here are 365 Drawing Ideas to Inspire:

1. view from the park.

Parks are great sources of inspiration for drawing. Snap a few of your own reference photos of monuments, benches, and scenes that capture your eye or spend some time in the park with your sketchbook drawing the different scenes you notice.

2. Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloons are mesmerizing to watch in the sky and can be a beautiful and whimsical thing to learn how to draw. While it’s not too common anymore to see one floating past you in real-life, there are MANY photos out there that you can use as a reference.

Snap a photo of yourself or try drawing yourself while you look in a mirror.

You might see leaves on the ground during autumn or notice them on trees in the spring and summer. Choose a few different leaf shapes to draw.

They say once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget – so why not try the same thing with learning to draw a bicycle? You can make it realistic or simply create a fun doodle.

6. Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are adorable spiny creatures most commonly found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand. Draw one today!

7. Baseball and/or Baseball Glove

This was actually an assignment we had in high school to practice realistic sketching and shading using nothing more than a #2 pencil!

8. Fruit Bowl

The classic fruit bowl still life might not sound like the most creative idea for drawing, but have you tried it? You might just be surprised. You could also draw a still life of bananas, oranges, apples, or grapes.

9. Tropical Fish

There are so many types of tropical fish to consider as an idea for things that are easy to draw – choose from an angel fish, a clown fish or even maybe a butterflyfish!

10. Skyscrapers

We see so many great examples of skyscraper architecture in our cities that there are endless sources of inspiration for types of skyscrapers you could draw. Take your sketchbook out locally to a city near you, or spend some time drawing iconic skyscrapers such as the Bank of China Tower, the Taipei 101, or the Chrysler Building.

Dragons are mythical creatures that have been a drawing subject since ancient times. Draw a dragon with a knight in shining armor, a Chinese dragon, or maybe even a friendly dragon that helps you roast marshmallows.

Unlock the power of your creativity by drawing some keys! You can choose to draw old fashioned skeleton keys or draw a sketch of the keys out of your purse or your house key.

13. Volcano

Have you ever seen a volcano in real life? Even if you’ve only seen one in movies or in photographs they can be fascinating subjects for art and sketching.

14. Sail Boat

Sailboats are often see on lakes and at marinas and can have all sorts of beautiful designs on the sails.

Draw a teddy bear, a brown bear or a grizzly bear – your choice!

Lay down on a blanket in your yard or at a park and spend some time cloud-gazing for inspiration on what to draw.

17. Family Member

You can have a family member pose while you create a portrait sketch of them, or draw a portrait based on a photo of someone you know.

What can I say about sharks? They have big teeth, they live in the ocean, and they can be very fun and popular to draw.

19. Feather

Birds of a feather…are a great thing to draw! You can make them icon style, or try to recreate a realistic feather on paper.

20. T-Shirt

Surely you have a t-shirt in your closet that would make for a great subject for drawing.

21. The Kitchen

Kitchens are where food is made and are often overlooked as the perfect place to sketch to get a glimpse into your everyday life.

22. Satellite:

Satellites are constantly in orbit around our earth, and they are very interesting looking items with many different geometric lines to use to build your drawing skills.

23. Penguin

Penguins are seabirds that live in mostly cold climates. They don’t fly but they sure do love to swim!

24. Fashion Sketch

What’s trending in the fashion world? Come up with your own fashion designs or take inspiration from some of the leading fashion designers to create your own fashion sketches.

The best part about aliens as a drawing idea? You can make them look like almost anything your imagination can think of, since it is very rare to actually see them in real-life.

26. Pirate Ship

Ahoy Matey! Pirate ships are a great thing to draw in your sketchbook and can be realistic or make your own cartoon.

27. Skateboard

The nice thing about drawing a skateboard is its not nearly as intimidating as trying to actually ride a skateboard.

Celebrate today by drawing a beautiful cake! You can choose how many layers, what kind of icing, and what type of topper fits the occasion. There are so many ideas to draw for what kind of cake you make!

29. Butterfly

There are so many different kinds of beautiful butterflies you could draw, such as monarchs or swallowtail butterflies.

30. Race Car

Vroom vroom, race cars are designed for speed. Draw your favorite kind of race car, whether it’s an old fashioned derby style car or a racecar fit for Nascar tournament.

If you have a cat you can draw a portrait of your own pet or of course you could make a cartoon cat – we all know and love Garfield the Cat and his affinity for lasagna.

With over 190 registered dog breeds by the American Kennel Club you could almost make it a daily challenge just to draw a different type of dog.

33. Super Hero

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s super man! Draw one of your favorite super heroes or create your own!

34. Cup of Coffee or Tea

If you’re going to drink coffee or tea every day, you might as well sketch it, right? Not a coffee or tea drinker? You can always sketch a glass of water.

35. Dinosaur

Dinosaur…roar! Draw a T-rex, a brontosaurus, a triceratops, pterodactyl or a velociraptor if you wish – there are so many great dinosaurs to choose from as sketchbook inspiration!

36. Web Icons

Web icons have become so common place we see them everywhere online. Sketch some icons for your favorite social media channels or visit a site like flaticon.com  for inspiration!

Pizza can be a lot of fun to draw, especially because you get to choose the toppings! Will you make it a veggie pizza, pepperoni pizza or maybe a Hawaiian pizza with pineapple and ham?

38. Dandelions

Every kid knows if you blow on a dandelion and make a wish your wish will come true, much to the dismay of gardeners everywhere who view them as weeds. These edible flowers make for a great easy drawing idea.

39. Hair Styles

Draw a braid, an up-do, or even crazy Medusa inspired snake hair if you wish.

40. Necklace, Bracelet or Rings

Jewelry can be a very interesting thing to sketch or draw, especially if the jewelry has special meaning to you, such as a necklace or ring passed on through your family or given to you by someone special.

41. Ice Cream Cone

Ice cream comes in all sorts of different flavors, and of course there are many different shapes and sizes of cones to choose from, whether its a cake cone, a sugar cone or a waffle cone!

42. Aquarium

Aquariums are beautiful habitats for all sorts of fish and can include plants or even decorative items.

43. Haunted House

It doesn’t have to be Halloween to enjoy drawing a spooky and haunted house. Don’t forget details like cracked windows and bent railings – and maybe even a few spirits peeking through.

Whether you draw a beautiful covered bridge scene or a bridge that goes over a river or harbor through the city, bridges give you plenty of architectural inspiration to use as drawing ideas!

45. Crazy Hats

Go ahead, give yourself permission to be a mad hatter and design as many crazy hats as you can think of!

46. Chevron Patterns

Chevrons are fun to draw and there are so many different pattern variations you can try!

You could draw a chandelier, a bedside table lamp, or maybe even a lava lamp!

48. Cruise Ship

Cruise ships are designed to take tourists to view the sights and scenes along the ocean coast. Draw the view from the deck or draw the view from one you can see passing by on the coast.

49. Planets in Outer Space

Draw a single planet like Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune or Jupiter – or draw the whole solar system!

They say eyes are the window of the soul, and it’s true you can learn a lot about a person’s feelings and thoughts based on how their eyes look. Draw your own eyes or draw the mesmerizing eyes of different animals.

51. Caricature

A caricature is a type of cartoon drawing where something about the subject is exaggerated to be funny. For example, if your friend loves to knit or crochet, you might exaggerate the ball of yarn in their hand. Use this drawing idea to make a funny sketch of your friends, family members or even a pet or celebrity.

Everybody needs shoes to walk around, so go ahead and grab the pair of shoes you wear everyday and sketch them!

53. Dream Catcher

Dream catchers are designed to catch bad dreams and keep nightmares away. They are a lot of fun to draw!

54. Rocket Ship

Fly to the moon or a distant galaxy far, far away in your very own rocket ship you can design with this simple idea for drawing.

55. House Plants

Whether it’s a succulent, an aloe vera plant, or a terrarium, if you have anything green growing in your house it can be an excellent source of inspiration for drawing ideas.

56. Inspiring Quote

Practice your hand-lettering by illustrating one of your favorite quotes, sayings, or verse from a poem.

Guitars are stringed instruments that can instantly make us tap our feet and sing along. You can choose to sketch an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar.

58. Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees are the type of trees that lose their leaves in the winter. Examples include oak trees, maple trees, cherry trees, and ash trees. You can choose what season to show the tree – is it spring, winter, summer or autumn?

59. Circus Clown

Clowns can be funny, happy, sad…or even scary! You get to decide which you wish to draw with this drawing prompt.

60. Fairy Tale

Illustrate a scene from your favorite fairy tale. Some examples include Snow White and the 7 Dwarves, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, or Hansel and Gretel.

Bottles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You could draw a message in a bottle, soda bottles, apothecary bottles and more.

62. What You Last Ate:

What you last ate for breakfast, lunch or dinner is a simple and obvious drawing idea, but so few people think to actually do it and is a great idea for something to include in a sketchbook.

63. Parrot:

Parrots are colorful and tropical birds, so pull out the colored pencils or some inks to make this come alive in your journal.

What is your favorite book? You could choose to draw a stack of books or draw the cover of a recent book you’ve read and enjoyed. 

65. Elephants

They say an elephant never forgets, and if you draw one you will have a picture to remember an elephant by forever!

66. Camping Scene

Whether you want to draw a travel trailer or a tent, sketch a camping scene. Don’t forget the campfire and marshmallows!

Tigers are big cats with interesting black and orange striped patterns, making them the perfect subject for a page in your sketchbook.

Cartoon-like roses can be easy to draw – they are just a spiral and a circle. Or, challenge your skills to draw a life-like rose complete with petals and stem – just watch out for those thorns!

Zebras are native to Africa and are another interesting animal to draw that are best well known for their black and white stripes.

70. Monster

Could there be a monster hiding under your bed, or in your closet? Probably not, but you never know – which is why you should draw a bigger, more friendlier monster to protect you and scare away all other monsters.

You might remember globes from school and they make for fantastic drawing objects, especially if you are a travel or geography buff.

72. Staircase

We see steps everywhere in regular life, whether it’s in your house, in a park, or maybe even a spiraling staircase along a water tower like in the photo above I took at a nearby park by my house.

73. Peacock

My grandparents used to have peacocks when I was a kid, and they are absolutely beautiful and incredible birds with detailed feathers that are perfect for drawing!

74. The Ocean

You could create an under water scene complete with coral and sea creatures like whales, an octopus and more.

75. Crocodile or Alligator

Crocodiles have a longer, V-shaped snout, while alligators have broad U shaped snouts. Either way, you could draw a snapping good crocodile or alligator in your journal – maybe even both!

76. A Clock

What’s the time? There’s always time to draw something daily! Draw a clock tower, a grandfather’s clock, or an alarm clock.

77. Gumball Machine

A gumball machine can be a lot of fun to draw, and of course there is no rule you have to fill it with gumballs – you can always choose to fill it with a different type of candy, it is your drawing afterall!

78. Giraffes

Known for their long necks, make sure you don’t forget their third horn at the top of their heads. We love visiting the giraffes named Louis and Socks at the local zoo where we live.

79. Bubbles

Bubbles make for a great ideas for what to draw, especially because they are relatively easy for beginners and you could fill a whole page with bubbles in no time!

80. Sports Player

Do you have a favorite sport? Sketch a player in action whether its soccer, baseball, football, hockey or badminton.

81. Airplane

There are so many options for what you could draw with an airplane, whether its the plane’s exterior, the interior, the view from the window, or even possibly the pilot’s cockpit.

82. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are bright, cheerful, and one of my favorite flowers to see standing tall in the summer sun.

83. Mountains

Try your hand at this idea for drawing mountains by sketching a Rocky Mountain or Appalachian mountain landscape.

84. Bath Tub

Rub-a-dub Dub, draw a bathtub! Don’t forget your rubber duckie!

There are so many great herbs that you can use for drawing. If you grow your own fresh herbs, set them up in a way you can sketch them as a real subject or use reference photos for herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme.

86. Family heirlooms

Family heirlooms are always special, and what better way to preserve them than to sketch them in your art journal?

If you’re a lucky duck, you might even be able to see these water birds at a nearby park or lake by you, but plenty of reference photos abound – you can even use the photo I took of a duck here if you’d like as inspiration!

88. Wildflowers

Draw a beautiful landscape meadow of wildflowers, or take inspiration from botanists through history who meticulously sketched and documented wildflowers in the field.

Someone once told me I didn’t draw a very serious spider, so I gave this spider a briefcase, neck tie and his own private office with a certificate just to prove how serious he was.

90. Drawing Supplies

You already have the perfect subject for drawing in your hand – a pen, pencil, bottle of ink or charcoal set all make for great things to draw.

Fairies are enchanting, tiny human-like creatures that have wings and can fly.

92. Woodland Animals

Draw a deer, a raccoon, a fox, a squirrel, or other woodland animals with this drawing idea.

93. Hippie Van

While you may not be able to actually own and live in a hippie van, you can draw one and that’s the next best thing.

94. Ostrich

Ostriches are fun to draw – and you can decide whether or not it sticks its head in the sand! {Of course, they don’t *actually do this* but that’s the nice thing about drawing, you can use your imagination!}

Whether it is just a slice of your favorite kind of pie or the whole thing, your mouth will be watering by the time you are done drawing this one!

Eggs are a great way to practice your shadowing and depth in drawing. And don’t think you’re limited to just plain white eggs like you get at the grocery store – you can always make them different hues and sizes or decorate with patterns and shapes!

Grab a dollar bill or some loose change and try drawing it. This is a great way to practice shading, depth and more if you want to create realistic drawings.

98. Cooking Utensils & Kitchen Gadgets

Don’t use your blender that often? It’s the perfect opportunity to finally put it to use as a drawing subject! You could also sketch your pots and pans, eating utensils, or other kitchen gadgets you have around the house.

99. Your House

Where we live makes for an excellent idea of what to draw, and you can choose whether to draw the interior or the exterior.

Old fashioned radios are fascinating objects, and many times they still work even in today’s world of digital media. Go for a classic vintage radio, or maybe even draw a 90’s style boombox.

101. Fast Food

You know the drill: soda, burger and fries.

We have smart phones with us almost every day – why not draw it in your sketchbook and document that? Or, draw an old rotary phone for a throwback to the days before cell phones existed.

You could draw a hammer, screw driver, drill, saw, wrench or draw the whole toolbox.

104. Arrows

There are so many different styles of arrows you could try drawing, whether you make arrow doodles or draw a realistic bow and arrow set.

105. Jelly Beans

Known for their unique shape, multiple colors and best found in Easter baskets, jelly beans are a great idea for something to draw!

106. Game Controller

Are you a gamer? Whether it’s Play Station, X-Box, a Gaming Keyboard, or an old school Atari controller, draw a game controller that reminds you of your favorite video games.

107. Soup Can

Take inspiration from Andy Warhol and try your hand at drawing a soup can.

108. Fireworks

Let your paper be the sky for a colorful display of patterns of light.

109. Forest Scene

Think trees, moss covered rocks and maybe even a stream winding through a forest scene perfect for a landscape sketch.

110. Astrological Signs & Symbols

What’s your sign? You could draw a Pisces fish, the Scales of Libra, the Scorpion of Scorpio or the Archer of Sagittarius for example.

111. Banners

Banners are a lot of fun to draw and you can make them as whimsical as you wish. I love drawing banners in my art journals!

112. Wristwatch

Do you wear a watch? Whether its a smartwatch or a classic watch you wind up, draw a wristwatch in your sketchbook.

113. Nuts, Bolts & Other Hardware

Take a walk down a hardware aisle or go through your garage to find nuts, bolts, and other miscellaneous hardware to sketch and draw.

114. Typewriter

There is something cool about a typewriter, even if they don’t make much sense in today’s digital age…they are definitely fun to draw!

115. Bunnies or Rabbits

Bunnies and rabbits are cute, soft and fluffy. I used to have one as a kid!

Ivy is a plant that spreads, often times along a wall, window or trellis and is best known for beautiful leaf shapes – perfect for drawing in your sketchbook!

117. Machines

We see all kinds of machines in our daily lives – from the washing machine, to the dishwasher to the furnace that keeps our homes warm. You could also invent your own machine!

118. Garden Tools

A garden shovel, gloves, trowel etc are all examples of common garden tools that make the perfect subject for still life drawing ideas.

119. City Skylines

Draw a silhouette of a city skyline, whether it is a local city where you live or one you want to visit someday.

120. What’s on your desk?

Take a look at what is on your desk today and sketch it – no matter how messy your desk may be!

121. Pineapple

Pineapples were named pine apples because of their exterior resembles a pine cone. Often viewed as a symbol of friendship, these tropical fruits are the perfect thing to try drawing!

122. Hearts

You can choose to draw doodle hearts, or draw an anatomically correct depiction of a human heart.

The first steam train was invented in 1804 and many people were afraid to ride them. Today, trains are still used for transportation and shipping. You can make a passenger train or a cargo train. Draw a single box car, the engine, or the caboose!

124. Lawnmower

My husband is always talking about fixing his broken lawnmower, so I had to include it on this list. You can draw a riding mower or a push mower or even a commercial lawnmower.

125. Hourglass

An hourglass is a type of sand filled timer which you’ve probably seen more often in board games.

126. Scissors

A basic and important office supply, drawing realistic scissors can be more challenging than you might think!

127. Mailbox

Everybody gets mail, so why not sketch your mailbox?

128. Ticket

Have you recently gone to an event where you needed a ticket? Draw or sketch that ticket in your sketchbook.

129. Circles

Circles might seem like a mundane drawing idea, but there are so many great ideas for drawing circular patterns and different circle sizes!

If you are lucky enough to have a grape vineyard nearby, you can find a LOT of inspiration to sketch and draw vines! Many different types of vines also grow on trees.

X-rays allow us to see inside someone or something. You can draw an X-ray view of a person or an object.

132. Tunnels

Tunnels are a great way to practice drawing perspective, especially if you are drawing the view from the beginning to the end of a tunnel.

133. People at Work

Millions of people go t work every single day. This could be construction workers, people in your office, or even the cashiers at the store.

134. Ladders

Ladders are another great exercise for drawing perspective. There are also many different kinds of ladders – from step ladders to paint ladders to imaginary ladders that climb all the way to the clouds.

135. Playground

Draw a swingset, sliding board, the view in the sandbox at a nearby park or playground where you live.

136. Swirls

Swirls are fun to draw and can be highly meditative and addictive! Fill a page with swirls or practice drawing some swirly flourishes.

137. Dancing

Draw people who are dancing, and be sure their clothes and dance moves reflect the type of music they are dancing to!

138. Sunglasses or Eyeglasses

Set up a pair of your sunglasses or eyeglasses on a table and start sketching them.

139. Hills & Valleys

Rolling hills and valleys can give a typical landscape sketch a lot of visual interest.

140. Rocks & Stones

Are you a rock collector? Have you ever been to a rocky beach or noticed rocks along the shore of a river? Take some time to draw the details of rocks or stones.

Good fences make good neighbors, according to poet Robert Frost. They also make for great drawing subjects, whether it’s a white picket fence, a split rail fence or a wrought-iron fence.

142. Triangles

There are so many different kinds of patterns you can create just with a simple triangle!

Moo! Cows can be found on farms around the world and are a great animal to try drawing – this sketch of a baby calf is so cute!

There are over 6,300 known species of frogs in the world, which means you have a lot of choices on what kind of frog to draw! Draw a tree frog, a bullfrog, an African claw frog, or other frog of your choosing.

145. Spool of Thread & Other Sewing Notions

Do you have a sewing box? A simple spool of thread and other sewing notions can make for a great still life.

146. Tomato

Some people love tomatoes, others could leave them. Either way, they make for a n excellent drawing subject.

147. Squares and Rectangles

Drawing squares and rectangles gives you plenty of opportunities to discover new patterns in your doodles. Tip: For straight lines, use a ruler!

148. Tea kettle

How about a nice relaxing cup of tea? Sketch a tea kettle in your journal.

149. Lightbulb

The symbol for creativity and ideas, light bulbs are an invention we still rely on heavily today. Try drawing something inside of a lightbulb for an illuminating challenge.

150. Party Supplies

What do you need to throw a party? You could draw party hats, noise makers, or keep it simple with just party foods.

151. Railroad tracks

Railroad tracks are very dangerous to be around, so I do not suggest trying to go near them for sketching, but there are many pictures you can use as reference and they are great practice for perspective.

Porches are welcoming gathering places for company and the perfect scene to sketch.

153. Rainbow

Rainbows are easy to draw and a great excuse to pull out the colored pencils. An easy way to remember the order of the colors is the acronym Roy G. Biv: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.

154. Lemonade Stand

Every kid dreams of having a lemonade stand someday, and now is your chance to finally design the lemonade stand of your dreams.

Do you play piano? You can choose to draw a close-up of the keys, someone playing the piano, an upright piano, or a baby grand piano.

156. Hallways

Interior hallways can be a great way to practice drawing perspective, especially if the hallway has a lot of doors or wall decor.

157. Watch Gears

What’s inside a watch? Lots of little gear parts that make for fun and easy drawing ideas.

It doesn’t have to be taco tuesday to draw a taco. Fill up that shell with all your favorite ingredients and toppings!

159. Paint & Paint Brush

Pull out your paints and paint brushes to set up a still life scene of an artist at work.

160. Faces With Different Emotions

So often in portraits we see people happy – try drawing faces with different emotions such as angry, sad, frustrated, or calm.

161. Dishes

Dishes can have all sorts of different patterns and styles that can make for fantastic creative inspiration.

162. Fountain

Whether its an outdoor or indoor fountain, there are all sorts of interesting details to capture when drawing a fountain.

163. Puzzle Pieces

Puzzles are always entertaining. Grab a puzzle off your game shelf and scatter a few pieces around to sketch and draw.

164. Monkey

You probably can’t have a pet monkey like Curious George in real life, but you can always draw a character of your own.

165. Angels

Angels are majestic divine beings of light, and a fantastic source of inspiration for sketching and drawing.

One of the nice things about drawing hands is you always have a realistic model attached to you! Try different poses or holding different objects.

167. Pair of Socks

Do you have a pair of crazy socks? You can sketch a pair of socks you already own, or make your own crazy sock designs.

168. Bag or Purse

We use bags all the time in our everyday life, whether it’s a shopping bag or a purse where you keep your keys, wallet and more. Draw the bag itself or draw a fashion sketch of a person wearing a bag.

169. Umbrella

Rainy days are a lot more bearable when you have a good umbrella to keep you dry!

170. Beach Scene

The beach is a relaxing and serene place to sit with a sketchbook and sketch the sights.

171. Bowling Ball and Pins

Bowling can be a lot of fun, and drawing a bowling ball and pins makes for a good drawing exercise.

172. Roller Coaster

Do you have a favorite rollercoaster ride? You can draw a lifelike imitation of a rollercoaster you love, or design your own with plenty of ups, downs, twists and turns.

We often associate witches with mean and scary looking old ladies, but Glenda the Good witch from the Wizard of Oz reminds us that not all witches are bad.

174. Headphones

Love listening to music? Don’t forget to sketch your headphones.

Are ghosts real? What do they look like? Now is your chance to draw one!

176. Paper Clips

Pull out a handful of paper clips from your office desk and sketch them.

177. King or Queen

You can draw a king or queen from history, or even imagine yourself as king or queen for the day.

178. Graffiti

Graffiti is a unique form of art and perfectly legal when done on paper.

179. Ladybugs

Ladybugs are cute beneficial insects in any garden.

180. Abstract Line Art

Use this as a chance to draw stripes or have fun with experimenting with different line angles on paper.

181. Mermaid

Fictional characters that live under the sea, mermaids have captivated the imagination of sailors and storytellers for ages.

Do you have any toys from your childhood? Pull them out and sketch them.

183. Junk Drawer

Everybody has a junk drawer – that place where stuff just ends up somehow. Go through your junk drawer and pick a couple of random objects to draw.

184. Highway road

Have you been on a any recent road trips lately? Highway roads are always an interesting thing to draw.

185. Backpack

What’s in your backpack? Whether you’re a hiker or a student or carry your laptop in a backpack, there’s plenty of different styles and shapes to choose from to draw!

186. Mushrooms

Did you know there are over 10,000 different types of mushrooms? That gives you a LOT of options for what to draw, whether you draw realistic mushrooms or fantasy style mushrooms in an enchanted forest.

187. Cactus

Whether you have a cactus growing at home or want to take inspiration from a desert landscape, cacti make for excellent drawing subjects.

188. Turtle

Don’t be shy – draw a turtle! You can make it realistic, cartoonish, or somewhere in between.

189. Seashells

Seashells are abundant in the world and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, giving you plenty of creative options to explore when it comes to drawing them.

190. Photo Frames

Every piece of art needs a good frame, and this is a great prompt to make doodle frames or draw ornate frames inspired from vintage and antique photograph displays.

Where does the gate lead? You can draw a garden gate, a gateway to a new portal or maybe a gate to a haunted and spooky hollow.

192. Vegetables

Don’t want to eat your vegetables? Draw them instead!

I am always fascinated by the details in patchwork quilts. You can try drawing different quilt block designs, or even take inspiration from a crazy quilt with elaborate stitching and embroidery embellishing each patch!

194. Sunrise/sunset

The sun rises and sets every single day and that itself is pretty amazing! What’s a drawing prompt list without a sunset or sunrise?

You can draw your state or country’s flag, or choose to draw different flags from around the world.

There are many different types of bells, from bell towers to school bells to jingle bells.

197. Potato Chips

Are you in need of a snack? Next time you reach for that bag of potato chips, sketch it!

198. Your Closet

Open up your closet doors and sketch a scene of your current wardrobe. Hopefully you won’t find too many skeletons in there!

199. Vintage Photographs

Old vintage photos make for great drawing reference photo idea, especially when they feature historical lifestyles.

Heat things up by drawing flames or fire. You can draw a campfire, a fire in a fireplace, or flames surrounding another object.

201. Raindrops

Raindrops are their very own shape, and there are so many different ways you could interpret this! You could make raindrop patterns, or try to realistically capture what raindrops may look like on a pane of glass or when they fall and hit the ground.

Your choice – make a map of where you live, somewhere you’ve visited, or maybe even a map of a completely fictional and imaginary fantasy world.

203. Optical illusions

Optical illusions play with lines, shadows, and depth to create images that aren’t always what they appear to be. Play around with different ideas until you get a drawing that makes you look twice.

204. Snowman

Do you want to draw a snowman? You can make your snowman as elaborate or as simple as you’d like!

205. Steampunk

Steampunk is a type of science fiction where everything is steam powered. Think gears, flying contraptions, and all sorts of odd inventions. Prefer figure drawing? You could also draw people in steampunk attire!

206. Seagulls

These birds may be noisy, squacky, and annoying to deal with at the beach, but they are still beautiful to look at and the perfect subject for drawing.

207. Computer

We spend enough time at the computer, so take a break from the digital world and get out that sketchpad!

208. Chickens

Chickens come in all sorts of varieties – the American Poultry Association recognizes over 50 different breeds of chickens. You can choose to make this as simple or as complex as you wish!

209. Historic Scene

Scenes from history are always fun to illustrate, especially if you choose to depict a time before cameras were invented, which was in 1816.

210. The library

Go visit your local library and bring your sketchbook! You can choose to sketch the outside of the building or sit at a table where you can get a good view of the rows and rows of books.

211. Your grocery store

Shopping for food is an everyday necessity, and chances are you’ve been to the grocery store at least once in the past year. Draw some of the aisles, a grocery display case, or draw the exterior of the building.

212. Jar of Something

Everything in mason jars is all the rage in decor, or maybe you’re like me and love a jar of bread and butter pickles or homemade jam.

213. Numbers

You don’t have to be a mathematician to appreciate there are so many different ways to draw numbers! Practice hand-lettering in different styles or use basic numbers as a base for more elaborate doodles.

214. Your Bed

Researchers estimate the average person spends about 26 years of our lives in bed…which is a LOT of time sleeping! Give your bed its proper tribute by illustrating it in your sketchbook.

215. Impossible World

Maybe there’s an imaginary world where fish fly in the sky, or the moon is underwater…invent an imaginary fantasy world and draw it!

216. Speech Bubbles

How do you convey spoken words in your drawings? With speech bubbles of course! You can draw them comic book style or practice creating new patterns using a basic speech bubble shape.

217. Farm or Barn Scene

The Barn is an iconic image of the countryside, and no wonder – these giant buildings serve as a place to store farm equipment and provide shelter to animals. Draw a barn!

218. Labyrinth

A labyrinth is a meandering path that leads to the center of a shape. Traditionally circular in nature, they are often used in common times for reflection and meditation.

Go fly a kite! And if there’s no wind or you don’t have a kite, you can always draw one! Again, there are so many different shapes and types here to choose from!

220. Astronaut

Remember that rocket ship you drew in prompt number 54? What about the person flying that thing? Draw a picture of the astronaut brave enough to travel in your spacecraft.

Balls of yarn can be a fun challenge to draw, especially when you get into different types of hand spun yarns or art yarn!

Go ahead, take a chance…and draw some dice! Did you know there are more dice than just the average 6-sided dice? They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, as I learned from playing Dungeons & Dragons.

223. Pumpkins

You can draw a pumpkin patch, a fall themed still life display, or maybe even carve out a face on your pumpkin and create a jack-o-lantern!

224. Flooring

Have you ever spent time staring at the floor? I know that sounds sarcastic, but you might just be surprised how many different textures and patterns exist on what we walk all over every single day.

225. Scene from a Dream

Have any crazy dreams lately? Illustrate a scene from a dream in your sketchbook. Bonus? You can interpret what that dream means based on the image you drew!

Imagine a bench. Who is sitting on it? Draw it!

227. Garden

There are so many different things you can draw for a garden, whether its a vegetable garden or a flower garden or maybe just a peaceful place outside surrounded by plants.

228. Blue Jeans

Get a pair of blue jeans out from your closet and try putting them in different poses on a table or the floor and draw what you see.

229. Wild West Scene

Cowboys, outlaws, and a good saloon make for the perfect backdrop for a wild west scene you could draw.

230. Children playing

Kids are always a source of inspiration to draw, especially when they are playing.

231. Silhouette

Silhouettes are outlines of an object, person or place. Try drawing silhouettes of people in different poses, or draw silhouettes of everyday objects around the house.

Hopefully there are no mice in your house – but they are cute, when they don’t sneak up on you! You could draw a realistic mouse, or draw personified mice characters who live in their own burrow in a meadow.

233. Baby/Infant

Like kids, babies are another great source for portrait photos. You can use a baby you know as inspiration, or dig out those old photos of you as a baby when you were new to this world.

I’d never want to see a hippo close in real life {I hear they can be very aggressive and dangerous!} but I’m definitely okay with drawing them!

When the cold wind blows you get ice! You can draw icicles hanging from the eaves of a roof, or maybe even ice cubes that are guaranteed not to melt.

236. Favorite Animated/Cartoon Character

When I was in the second grade I was so lucky to take a cartooning class where I learned to draw Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, and more. Do you have a favorite cartoon character or anime character? Try to draw them as close as the original as you can.

237. Camera

So often as artists we use reference photos to inspire our work, but we forget the camera itself can be a great drawing idea!

238. Mad Scientist’s Lab

Think bubbling potions, beakers, and oh my, what’s that monster doing under the sheet over there in the corner?

239. Wood Texture

Wood grain can be a beautiful texture to draw, especially in pencil, ink, or charcoal. There are so many options for patterns and shading!

240. Gnomes

Who doesn’t love garden gnomes? Maybe they’re tacky, but I think they’re the perfect thing to draw – especially if you draw them in different clothes and styles.

241. Life Underground

Most of the time we think about life on the surface of earth, but there’s all sorts of things that happen underground, from coal mines to subway train stations to fault lines and magma…what world do you imagine? Draw it!

Ever hear the phrase, I’m all ears? Now’s your chance to illustrate it!

We drive in cars every day and there are so many different types we see on the road. You can choose to draw your first car, your current car, or the cars you see passing by on the street near where you live.

244. Holiday scenes

There’s so many holidays we celebrate around the world – you can choose from Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Fourth of July or maybe even St. Patrick’s Day.

245. Song Lyrics

Do you have a favorite song? Illustrate a scene from the song, or practice your hand-lettering by drawing a quote of the lyrics.

246. Parking Lot

Parking lots might not sound like that exciting of an idea for drawing, but you can be surprised what happens in them! They are great places for people watching, or you could sketch the scene of one to continue a series of drawings of places around where you live.

247. Movie Scene

What’s your favorite movie? Draw a scene from a movie you love or have watched recently.

248. Xylophone

Xylophone is pretty much the only word we could think of that begins with the letter X, so it made our list. 🙂

249. City Street Scene

Walk around the city and sketch the sights on the street.

250. Award or Trophy

Have you ever been given a trophy or award for an achievement? You could also draw trophies or awards for your pets or friends, like “Best Listener” or “Most Furry”.

Look up to the night sky and draw the stars. You could also research and draw different constellations.

From dump trucks to tractor trailer trucks to pick-up trucks, there are all kinds of trucks you can draw. Above is a picture of a pick-up my brother drew.

253. Skeleton or Skull

Skeletons and skulls might be creepy to some, but they can be a lot less scary if you opt to draw a sugar skull from the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday.

Bird watchers know there are thousands of different species of birds, which means you have a lot of options here! To keep things simple, try drawing birds that are native to where you live and can be found regularly in your backyard and parks.

255. Friend

Ask a friend for a photo or see if they would be willing to pose while you draw a portrait of them.

256. Cleaning Supplies

Fact: It’s more fun to draw cleaning supplies than it is to actually do the laundry, dishes, and other household chores.

257. Wheels

From wagon wheels to car rims, there are all sorts of different types of wheels you could draw. You could also use wheels as a base for making repetitive patterns.

258. Sled Ride

Have you ever been on a sled in the winter? You can draw kids sledding or draw an old fashioned Christmas sleigh!

What’s behind that door? You can draw the door of your house, or draw a door that captures your eye and makes you want to open it…or avoid it.

260. Diamonds

Diamonds are easy things to draw and you can play with all sorts of different patterns and repetitions with them.

261. Favorite Things

What are your favorite things in the whole wide world? Draw them!

Waves are a very cool thing you can draw, whether its realistic waves in the ocean, or simply waves of lines that create a pattern.

263. School

Draw a picture of what you remember school looked like when you were a kid, or draw all the school supplies you remember needing.

264. Abandoned Warehouse

Abandoned warehouses are cool architecture places to draw, just remember that you shouldn’t actually go into an abandoned warehouse without proper permission and safety clearances – it can be VERY dangerous!

265. Cooking Spices

What’s on your spice rack? Draw it!

266. Favorite Place From Your Childhood

What is a place you remember from your childhood? It can be any place you visited that brings back happy memories.

267. Vase of Flowers

The classic still life is the perfect opportunity to practice drawing!

268. Vacation Spot

Think back on all of the places you’ve visited and vacationed at over the years. Draw a scene of one of your favorite spots!

269. News Headline

Look to the news today and draw a headline from the current events.

270. Village

Draw a whimsical village of cute little houses.

Artists like Van Gogh are famous for painting a chair, so get your start by drawing one!

Horses are incredible creatures admired for the beauty and strength. Draw wild horses or someone riding a horse.

273. Drum Set

Not everybody has room for a drum set in their house or the talent to play one, but you can always draw one!

274. Exercise Poses

Draw a figure in different exercise poses, such as yoga or aerobics.

275. Something That Smells Nice

What’s your favorite smell? Draw something that you think smells nice.

276. Illustrate Onomatopoeia Words

Onomatopoeia words are words that are spelled exactly like they sound – and they can be fun to illustrate. Some example words are splash, buzz, pop, fizz, and swish.

277. Detective

Take inspiration from Sherlock Holmes and draw a detective on the case to solve the next mystery.

278. Mythological Creatures

Centaur, griffins, and manticores are all examples of different types of mythological creatures you could draw in your journal.

Draw a game board, game pieces or make up a design that could be used on your very own deck of illustrated cards.

280. Picnic

Set the scene for the perfect picnic lunch – hopefully there won’t be any ants to ruin the fun!

With over 200 owl species to choose from, you could draw a barn owl, a snowy owl, or great horned owl. The above picture my daughter drew when she was six.

282. Your Favorite Decade

Draw a scene from your favorite decade, whether it’s the roaring 1920’s or the fun and colorful 1980’s.

283. Flash Light

No need to stay in the dark – you can draw your own light with a flash light!

284. Bathroom Cabinet

Draw your toothbrush, a bar of soap, or anything else you may regularly keep in your bathroom cabinets.

Idioms are expressions and phrases that generally don’t make any literal sense in the real world…one example being it’s raining cats and dogs. Illustrate a silly idiom or other expression that we don’t take literally. You can find more idioms at the Free Dictionary Idiom Search .

286. Rock Star

Everybody thinks about becoming a rock star at some point, take inspiration from one of your favorite artists or bands or draw yourself rocking out to your favorite kind of music.

287. Party Animals

Draw animals going to a party. Don’t forget their party hats!

What’s hiding up in the attic of that old house? Draw it!

289. Happy Couple

Draw a couple that is happy and in love together.

290. Neighborhood

Sketch a street scene from your local neighborhood.

291. Bar or Restaurant

Where’s the last place you’ve eaten or gone out to? Draw a picture of the exterior or interior of the building.

292. Time Machine

Time machines don’t exist yet, but here’s your chance to design one that will help you travel back and forth in time.

293. Runner

They say life is a marathon and not a sprint…unless a lion is chasing you. Draw someone who is running from something, or maybe they are competing in a 5k or marathon.

294. Treehouse

Wouldn’t it be great to live in a treehouse for a day? Design and draw a Pete Nelson worthy treehouse for you to escape to.

295. Museum

Museums are full of interesting artifacts from history. Visit a museum near you or do a virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History online here .

Boxes can be empty or they can be full of surprises. You can draw just one box or a whole stack of them!

Draw a humanoid-like robot, or draw a robot straight out of a science fiction movie. Cartoon robots are also always fun!

Drawing glass can be a fun way to explore drawing reflections and shadows.

299. Mechanic’s Garage

Draw a mechanic’s garage with cars needing repaired.

300. Helicopter

Did you know the fastest speed of a helicopter ever recorded is 248 mph? That’s crazy!

301. Brick Wall

Brick patterns are a great idea for something to draw.

302. Lighthouse

Lighthouses help keep sailors and ships safe while out at sea. They are also beautiful tourist attractions all around the world.

303. Gifts and Presents

Did you receive any gifts or presents recently? Draw them! You could also draw wrapped presents.

304. Christmas Tree

Deck the halls and put up a Christmas tree, in your art journal or sketchbook at least! Not Christmas time or don’t celebrate Christmas? You could always decorate your tree to be more to your liking.

Towers have been used historically for many different reasons, and they stand tall along the skyline. Draw one!

There are so many famous hotels you could choose to draw, or draw the outside of the last hotel you stayed at.

307. Ant Farm

Ants build the most fascinating tunnels in ant farms. Illustrate an ant farm to show their secret lives in their homes.

308. Battle

You could draw a historic battle or you could draw a fantasy battle between an ogre and a dragon.

309. Waterfall

There are so many waterfalls in the world, experts can’t even agree how many there are! They are beautiful cascading natural elements perfect for sketching.

310. Remote Control

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a remote control that does everything? Take inspiration from the remote control you have for your TV or design your own with custom buttons you could use in your life.

311. Bakery

Cakes, cookies, bread…mmmm…all of my favorite foods can be found at a bakery, so draw one!

312. Suitcase

Packing to go somewhere? You could draw a suitcase ready to travel the world, or draw yours.

We live on this great big earth, so draw it.

314. Mandala

A mandala is a geometric figure that represents the universe. They are often used for meditative purposes and can be so relaxing to draw.

315. Cassette Tape

Am I showing my age here? Even if everything is digital today, cassette tapes are still cool to draw in my book.

316. Antique Car

Cars from the 1900’s look a lot different than the ones we drive today! Draw an antique or classic car that was manufactured before 1970.

317. Castle

You drew the queen and king in prompt number 177, now where are they going to live? Draw a castle fit for royalty, or take inspiration from one of the famous 500+ castles that already exist in the world.

318. Lightning

Lightning can be mesmerizing and the earth is struck by lightning an estimated 1,400,000,000 times a year – now that’s electrifying!

319. Snakes

Some people are scared of snakes, but the best way to overcome that fear is to draw one on paper. Besides, it’s your imagination – you can make the snake a friendly, non-biting one!

I heard you can really draw a crowd…haha…I know, that’s a terribly punny joke but I couldn’t resist.

Swords are often seen in coats of armor and in historical fiction stories like the sword in the stone…try drawing one!

322. Compass

Which way north? Draw a compass rose.

Pigs are very intelligent creatures…and they are cute!

Be careful if you drew three pigs in the last prompt, this could get hairy and become the story of three little pigs quick, which doesn’t end too well for the wolf.

325. Anchor

Anchors are symbols of strength and safety and often used in logos and tattoo designs.

Who doesn’t love a good donut? Draw your favorite flavor donut.

327. Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are very fast to see in real life, but they are beautiful birds to draw.

328. Statues and Sculptures

Draw your own life-like statue or sculpture, or try to draw a realistic rendition of a famous statue such as The Statue of Liberty or the sculpture of Discobolus .

329. Zipper

Zippers are something we use all the time, and they are fun to draw! You can also use the basic shape of a zipper for all sorts of pattern drawing ideas!

330. Television Set

You can draw a retro TV set or draw a more modern day version of a smart TV.

That alien that you drew in prompt #25…what kind of spacecraft were they flying? Draw an unidentified flying object.

332. Scarecrow

Scarecrows are not really all that useful for scaring away crows, but they have become an iconic decoration around the fall and autumn season.

One of the popular games for kids to play in the woods is to go snipe hunting…of course you never find one because snipes don’t exist. No one knows what a snipe really is, but this is your chance to imagine what one would look like if it were real.

334. Chameleon

Chameleons are best known for being able to change their colors to blend into their environment. This is a great opportunity to practice shading or draw with multiple colors.

335. Jellyfish

The nice thing about drawing a jellyfish on paper is they can’t sting you! While you’d never want to get too close to one in real life, they are beautifully amazing creatures of the sea.

336. Unicorn

A unicorn is a mythical creature that looks much like a horse with a single horn on its forehead. They are often depicted in art and folklore, making it the perfect drawing prompt.

Tulips mean spring is coming, and they are fun beautiful flowers to draw in any weather or season. Because they are bulbs, you can even force them to grow in the winter like I did with my flowers. See my post on the seasons of being an artist .

338. Pinwheel

Pinwheels are toys that twirl around when someone blows on them. They are symbolically seen as a way of “turing one’s luck around” and often signify playfulness and happiness.

339. Palm Tree

Did you know palm trees are actually evergreen trees? They are characterized by broad fan-like leaves and usually found in tropical regions around the world.

340. Rainforests

Rainforests are home to thousands of exotic plant species and animals and are typically found around the earth’s equator.

341. Deserted Island

What would you do if you were stuck on a deserted island? What would it look like? I hope you brought a notebook and pencil!

342. Snowflakes

No two snowflakes are alike, and you can have so much fun drawing different patterns and designs of snowflakes.

343. Ball or Sphere

Balls and spheres are a great opportunity to play around with drawing different shadow angles and light sources.

344. Goldfish

Goldfish are easy to draw and are a favorite pet for many people.

345. DNA Helix

It’s crazy to think we have DNA and I even recently just did a DNA test on Ancestry.com – it’s so fascinating to me to trace back all of my ancestors. Drawing the helix is a great way to practice different shading techniques as well.

One of my favorite songs is You Are the Moon by the Hush Sound , and I can’t think but illustrating a beautiful moonlit landscape everytime I hear it.

347. Trapeze Artist

Trapeze artists are highly skilled entertainers who perform all sorts of aerial tricks on ropes. Often seen at circuses, many modern artists can be seen in cities and other places.

348. Atoms and Molecules

You don’t have to be a chemistry major to recognize that atoms and molecule diagrams can be fascinating subjects for drawing ideas!

349. Carousel

I’ve always loved merry go round carousel rides and still ride them even now whenever I get a chance. You can choose to draw the whole carousel or just draw a carousel horse.

350. Cabin or Cottage in the Woods

Draw your own artists retreat place in the form of a cabin or cottage in the woods.

351. Buttons

Buttons make for great doodles, or you can always draw a magic button that you can push for when things go awry.

352. Pot of Gold

What’s at the end of your rainbow from prompt #153? Shamrock optional.

353. Doctor’s Office

Have you ever noticed all the different things they have at the doctor’s office when you go in for a check-up?

354. Panda Bear

Panda bears are just cute and that is why you should draw one.

355. Building Blocks

Building blocks are a great way to play with different angles, lines, and shadows.

356. Ferris Wheel

Ferris wheels are popular carnival rides and a great thing to draw.

357. Turkey

You can draw a turkey – it’s as simple as tracing your hand. Of course, you could always opt to draw a turkey that’s a bit more realistic.

358. Lollipops and Candy

Craving something sweet? Draw a lollipop or another favorite type of Candy.

You could draw a city bus, a school bus, or even a double-decker bus.

360. Flamingo

Flamingos are graceful birds most well known for their ability to balance on just one leg.

361. Ukulele

Ukulele’s only have 4 strings and are smaller and higher pitched than a guitar. Both of my daughters play the Ukulele!

362. Strawberry

Strawberries are amazingly detailed when you look at one up close, making them a great option for a close-up sketch.

363. Sandcastle

Did you know people build sandcastles at a competitive level? It’s amazing what architects, engineers, and creative designers and make out of sand at sand castle competitions!

364. Record Player

We may not play records that often anymore, but they are still a totally fun vintage thing to draw.

365. Magic Wand

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a magic wand? Well, you can always draw one!

I hope you enjoyed this list of 365 Drawing Ideas and of course if you create any of these things to draw I would love to see it in our Artjournalist Facebook community group !

Do you have any ideas for things to draw that I might have missed? I’d love to hear your ideas and how you will use these drawing prompts – tell me in the comments below!

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19 Comments

How about flowers

she said sunflowers which are technically flowers

great list of inspiration

This was a wonderful list

i like these thanks for curing my dreadful boredom 😃😄😊

I’ve read a lot of lists for drawing prompts, this one is by far the best! Thank you so much! I’m sure it took some time to come up with all of these!!

I’m glad you’re enjoying them!

Can you please share some painting ideas?

Sounds like a great idea Amy, I will get on it 🙂

great list i cant wait to fill lots of sketchbooks up with ideas oh also how about fidget toys they are great to draw

Hmm cant think of any! It sure helped me. I run art contests every week and like gettin opinions from people on themes, seeing this I may never have trouble picking a theme again! lol😂

I was stuck trying to think of ideas of what to draw during a pandemic. Thanks for all the great ideas. I better get started, I have hundreds of drawings to do. Joyce

Glad it inspired you Joyce!

I actually had a drawing competition in my school and the topic was “dreaming with eyes open” and this really helped thanks!

thanks for this great list of inspiration. defiantly cured my boredom. I really liked the coffee idea. i made a really good painting for my kitchen with it. it says: “Key To My Morning. it is is painting of a blue coffee cup, with i red back round. my parents drink coffe every morning so i made it for them.

you should add hallway

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100 Easy Drawing Ideas with Step by Step Drawings

Would you like to learn how to draw? Using step-by-step drawing tutorials is a great way to build skills and confidence.

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Our drawing guides use a simple system. Click on a guide that interests you. Then, look at each picture. Copy the lines and shapes that you see highlighted in blue.

In the next picture, the lines you drew in the previous steps will have faded to black. New lines and shapes to draw will be highlighted in blue. A written description accompanies each step in case you get stuck.

Don't be! Our tutorials break down complex projects into easy-to-follow steps.

You'll learn how to identify straight lines, curved lines, circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, hearts, teardrop shapes, and more within the objects you see around you.

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You'll learn how to draw cute popular characters like Hello Kitty and Pusheen the Cat.

You'll learn how to draw anime characters, dragons, and other fantastic creatures.

You'll even be able to finish your homework with tutorials for drawing DNA, outer space, and realistic animals.

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With 100 tutorials to choose from, Easy Drawing Guides has something for everyone!

Pick your favorite from the list below, and let's get started.

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How to Draw Charizard Pokémon

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How to Draw A Robot

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How to Draw the Elf on the Shelf

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How to Draw Frosty the Snowman

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The Northern Cardinal is one of the most colorful and recognizable birds in North America. Spot him at your feeder and add him to your life list.

How to Draw Buddha

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Dora's Backpack was was a friend and helper. This backpack can help you store your gear and improve your drawing skills.

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Have you drawn the wine glass, listed earlier? Fill it up by drawing this wine bottle. What is your favorite - red, white, or rose?

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A katana is an ancient Japanese weapon, a sword hardened by a specific process of heating and cooling the metal. Will your katana be strong enough to defend your favorite anime character?

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What's your favorite food? If you said pizza, you're not alone - 21 percent of Americans prefer pizza, according to a Reader's Digest survey. Get ready for your next pizza party with the help of this easy drawing tutorial.

How to Draw a Sunflower

Did you know? Sunflowers are named for their ability to "follow" the sun, turning their flower heads. Learn how to draw this late summer and autumn favorite.

How to Draw a Firefly

Lightning bugs are amazing creatures. They create a chemical reaction in their bodies that produces a cold light. Grab a jar and catch a few with the help of this tutorial.

How to Draw a Butterfly Garden

Have you enjoyed drawing the insects in this list? Give them a home in this pretty little butterfly garden.

How to Draw a Meteor

Was that an asteroid or a meteorite streaking through the night sky? Learn more about science as well as how to draw this celestial phenomenon.

How to Draw a Skeleton

No bones about it, there is a skeleton inside every great artist. Learn how to draw the insides on the outside with the help of this tutorial.

How to Draw Fozzie Bear from the Muppet Show

Who is the original comedian who looks like a teddy bear? Fozzie Bear, of course! He'll have you rolling in the aisles and saying, "Waka, waka, waka."

How to Draw a Cartoon Dragon

Dragons are a part of nearly every mythology, and they play a huge role in the stories and legends of today. What will you do with this dragon? Slay it, tame it, or seek its wise advice? The story is yours.

How to Draw a Spooky Forest

What makes a forest spooky? The trees are dry and leafless. The wind howls, and owls call out. The moon casts eerie shadows on the ground. This spooky forest has it all - only you can help your favorite characters brave it.

How to Draw a Candy Cane

Whether it's Christmas in July or Christmas in December, you can enjoy these sweet, minty treats. Hang them from your tree, stick them in your window, or create a card for a friend.

How to Draw Santa Claus

"Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane..." You can ho-ho-have a great time learning how to draw this classic character. Did you know? The red-suited Santa Claus isn't an old tradition. It came from advertising campaigns during the early twentieth century.

How to Draw a Beard

Beards are in! From Swamp People to The Greatest Showman 's bearded lady, you can create interesting characters sporting beards.

How to Draw Sans from Undertale

Sans is an average guy from "the RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone." Get to know this hero as you play this nonviolent video game.

How to Draw DNA

Can you identify the parts of the DNA molecule? Which base pairs are adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine? Get ready for science class with the help of this STEM-inspired drawing guide.

How to Draw an Otter

You "otter" learn how to draw this cute little animal! Did you know? Otters are one of the few animals that employ tools. You can use a tool of your very own - the pen or pencil with which you draw!

How to Draw a Dress

Whether you're Cinderella preparing for the ball or an average slice of life anime character, you need a pretty dress. Learn how to draw one with the help of this garment drawing tutorial.

How to Draw Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants

He's got a clarinet and lives in a tiki. He works at the Krusty Krab. He loves classical music and (usually) finds the antics of his neighbors annoying. Who is he? None other than Squidward Tentacles!

How to Draw a French Bulldog

Which breed of dog is your favorite? Get to know the French bulldog, one of the cutest canines in the kennel.

How to Draw Space and Planets

How many planets are there, 8 or 9? You can decide whether Pluto is still a planet when you sketch this out of this world scene.

How to Draw Manga Hair

Manga and anime characters often have wild, spiky hair. Learn how to craft your own character from scratch with the help of this drawing guide. Will he be a hero, a villain, or play a supporting role? The choice is yours.

How to Draw a Lotus Flower

The lotus is a mysterious flower of myth and legend. It is also a real flower of dazzling beauty that you can bring home with the help of this drawing guide.

How to Draw a Daffodil

Jonquil, buttercup, daffodil, narcissus - this cheerful yellow flower goes by many names. Brighten up your world with the beauty of springtime and the help of this flower drawing guide.

How to Draw Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren is the newest villain of the Star Wars universe. Will he follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Darth Vader, for good or for bad? Get sketching to determine his destiny.

How to Draw a Graveyard

Dark shadows... bare trees... creepy music... This graveyard has it all. Well, you'll have to supply your own creepy music.

How to Draw a Manatee

Manatees are an amazing and endangered species. Once you draw yours, check out our Underwater Scene tutorial, below, to give your manatee a home.

How to Draw Steven Universe

That boy is out of this world! Learn how to draw this popular cartoon character.

How to Draw a Porcupine

Porcupines are one of the most unique animals in North America. They are huge rodents that are covered in sharp spines! Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot "throw" or "shoot" their quills. To get stuck, you have to bump up against one!

How to Draw an Eyeball

"Jeepers creepers, where'd ya get those peepers? Jeepers creepers, where'd ya get those eyes?" Next time someone asks, you can tell them the truth - "I drew them!"

How to Draw an Underwater Scene

Have you ever wanted your very own aquarium? Now, you can draw one, complete with jellies, fish, sea stars, coral, and grasses.

How to Draw Waves

The sound of the ocean is considered relaxing by many. You can bring home the beauty of the ocean with this easy drawing guide.

How to Draw Ragnarok from Fortnite

What do you do when you can't play your favorite MMO FPS - that is, massive multiplayer online first-person shooter game? You draw your favorite game characters, of course! Here, you can learn how to sketch the frightening Ragnarok.

How to Draw a Horse’s Head

Could the world use a cowboy right about now? Draw your hero on his or her trusty steed. Giddy up!

How to Draw a Face Mask

Masking up can help prevent the spread of germs like colds and flu. Make a sign to remind your friends how important it is to mask up!

How to Draw Springtrap from Five Nights at Freddy's

How long can you survive the scariest video game of the decade? Look out! Springtrap is on its way! He may just be a broken animatronic, but he's dangerous!

How to Draw a Shooting Star

Do you feel like a star? Decorate your favorite things with this dazzling shooting star to remind yourself every day.

How to Draw a Cute Pencil

It is back to school time already? If so, it's also time to get your supplies in order. You can never have enough pencils - label them with this cute sketch.

How to Draw Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros

When you play as Mario, Princess Peach is the prize! Look out while you're drawing, though. Bowser may come along in search of a boss battle!

How to Draw Spiderman

Who's swinging through the city? It's your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Learn how to draw this web-slinging superhero.

How to Draw a Zombie

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Protect your brains by putting them to work! Learn how to draw even more interesting characters.

How to Draw Cherries

These juicy red fruits are great in fruit salads, drinks, desserts, or even as a quick snack. Draw up a bunch of cherries - your friends may want some, too!

How to Draw a Kayak

Kayaking is a fun sport and great exercise. You can refresh your senses as you surround yourself with the beauty of nature. Grab a pen and a paddle, and let's draw one!

How to Draw a Dog Paw Print

What are those tracks in the mud or snow? Could it be someone's pet dog or cat? Or is it something wild - a cougar, coyote, or bear, perhaps? Learn how to draw what you saw with this paw print drawing guide.

How to Draw a Flute

Get ready for music class! Learn how to draw a special type of flute, also called a recorder. This instrument is often the first that music students learn how to play.

How to Draw Luigi from Super Mario Bros

Whether you're playing Mario Kart or Super Smash, Mario's brother Luigi doesn't have to come in second. Learn how to draw him in expert style.

How to Draw a Seahorse

These strange-looking animals are actually fish. Fun fact: seahorses are the only animal species in which the male gives birth. He places the eggs in a pouch on his stomach to protect them. After they hatch, dad gives birth!

How to Draw Poseidon

In ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea. He's also been the inspiration for many modern characters, including Aquaman and Ariel's dad, King Trident, from Disney's The Little Mermaid.

How to Draw a Chibi Boy

Chibi characters are cute and childlike, with small bodies, large faces, and big, expressive eyes. Draw your favorite boy band member or anime character in chibi style with the help of this tutorial.

How to Draw a Waterfall

Niagara Falls, Angel Falls, Victoria Falls - there are many famous waterfalls in the world. Each one is different, but stunning in its power. Add a few to your bucket list, and illustrate them with the help of this drawing guide.

How to Draw Nemo

Marlin has braved the open sea to look for his missing son, Nemo. You can help him find him! Learn how to draw this cute little clownfish.

How to Draw an Impossible Square

Despite its name, this mind-bending puzzle is not impossible to draw. Can you figure out its confusing shapes and shadows?

How to Draw a Beetle

Scare your squeamish friends or complete your bug collection when you draw this realistic stag beetle.

How to Draw Pusheen the Cat

Do you dream of becoming a dinosaur or a unicorn, or sleeping on a marshmallow? So does Pusheen the Cat. Invite this rolly, polly kitty over for some furry fun when you learn how to sketch this popular comic character.

How to Draw a Church

Did you learn this nursery rhyme when you were little? "Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door, and out come the people." You can learn to draw just such an edifice with the help of this drawing guide.

How to Draw Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty was created to exemplify "the epitome of Japanese cuteness." She's now a popular character around the world, embraced by children, teens, adults, and many subcultures. Who will your Hello Kitty turn out to be?

How to Draw a Poppy

"And now my beauties, something with poison in it I think, with poison in it, but attractive to the eye and soothing to the smell . . . poppies, poppies, poppies will put them to sleep." So said the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. Like her, you can summon a whole field of poppies from thin air!

How to Draw The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." So said the Lorax. This is true of your drawing skills - sketching takes practice - but also of the big problems in the world around us. You can use the Lorax to make a poster supporting conservation or raising awareness for climate change.

How to Draw a Queen

Do you feel like a queen today? Prove it! Hone your royal skills and learn to draw one. You'll be singing, "If all of the kings had their queens on the throne, we would pop champagne and raise a toast. To all of the queens who are fighting alone, baby, you're not dancin' on your own."

How to Draw Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street

Who's that peeking out from under that trash can lid? It could be Oscar the grouch! Learn how to bring this grumpy but lovable muppet to life.

How to Draw a Mockingbird

If you hear a bird singing its heart out in your backyard, it may be a mockingbird. Learn how to draw this animal that has been featured in classic and popular literature, including To Kill a Mockingbird and the Hunger Games saga.

How to Draw Baymax from Big Hero 6

A big, friendly robot that helps people? That's cool. He's even cooler when he learns how to fight crime! Sharpen your pencil and help Hiro Hamada bring Baymax to life.

How to Draw a Dagger

Doing things in secrecy is often referred to as "cloak and dagger." Daggers have also played a role in real and literary history. For example, "O happy dagger! This is thy sheath," is a famous line from Romeo and Juliet. Learn to draw this storied weapon.

Why You Can Trust Our Drawing Guides

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15 Best Drawing Tutorials Online: The Complete List

• Last Updated: August 9, 2023

Art Ignition is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More.

If you want to get better at drawing but have no idea where to start, then you will LOVE this guide.

Below you will find a list of the best free and paid drawing tutorials online.

Each website I’ve either personally tried (and labeled it as ‘Recommended’), or has come highly recommended by fellow friends and artists

To make it even easier for you, you’ll get a quick snapshot to let you know the level of teaching you can expect, whether it’s paid or not and what each site specializes in. You can also read a short review and summary of what you can expect.

Here is the list of the best drawing tutorials that you can find online:

1. New Masters Academy

Hands down, the best all-round painting, sculpting and drawing tutorials I’ve found online…

• Perfect For: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
• Paid Subscription
• Highly Recommended
• Specialty: Drawing, painting, sculpture, composition, perspective and anatomy. Pretty much everything related to the fundamentals for art.

New Masters Academy is an online art education website that provides incredibly high-quality tutorials at a low monthly cost.

It mainly focuses on art fundamentals, with an emphasis on figure drawing. It also has one of the most in-depth perspective drawing courses you’ll come across!

What is really exciting about these workshops is the artistic talent they have teaching. Artists such as Steve Huston, Bill Perkins, Glenn Vilppu, Joe Weatherly and Gary Meyer are several artists who have contributed to this education platform.

Each lesson is incredibly in-depth and easy to follow. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a beginner just starting to learn how to draw, there is always something for you. Check out this free video on their Youtube Channel:

In addition, to some of the best online art classes available, they also have a huge library of 3D scans of live figure models and an incredible image library with over 30,000 images of people, drapery, anatomy, and animals. By far the best I’ve encountered…

New Masters Academy is my #1 recommended course if you want to improve your drawing skills.

Get the BEST PRICE until the end of May

Read more New Master Academy Reviews >>

Related: Read our full New Masters Academy Review

• Perfect For : Beginners, Intermediate
• Paid Online Courses
• Specialty: Learn How To Draw Environments, Creatures & Characters.

Are you interested in character design, creature design, or environment design? Then 21 Draw is for you.

21 Draw had humble beginnings as a crowdfunding campaign back in May 2014 which has now evolved into a very successful collaboration of professional artists to help art students get better at their craft. They do this by providing excellent online courses, books and resources. Each course is detailed, professional made and easy to follow. You want to give 21 Draw a try today, you can learn the basics of how to create an animation character using traditional media for free.

These courses are definitely worth the time and cost if you are serious about improving your artworks and designs.

Related: Read our full 21 Draw Review

• Paid & Free video tutorials
• Highly Recommended (His anatomy course is one of the best I’ve done!)
• Specialty: Figure Drawing & Human Anatomy

Intimidated by how much there is to learn about drawing? Stan Prokopenko has bought together an excellent collection of fun resources for artists including simple to follow (and often hilarious) instructional drawing videos. From drawing hands to learn how to draw eyes, learn how to draw the human body with his easy step-by-step lessons.

The Proko classes feel like you are in the studio with Stan receiving in proper technical instruction. His courses aren’t free, however, they won’t break your bank account. Proko gives you the option to buy bundles , saving you even more.

In the meantime, he has set up some excellent easy drawing tutorials for beginners on his Youtube Channel.

Related : Read our full Proko Figure Drawing Course Review Read our full Proko Premium Anatomy Course Review

4. James Gurney

• Free Youtube tutorials. Paid Video Courses and Books
• Specialty: Painting, light and color.

James Gurney is a professional artist, most known as the author and illustrator of the Dinotopia series. He is also an excellent teacher, with some incredible videos, books and online courses available.

His “how-to” art books, in particular, are an excellent resource to own. I have both his Color & Light and Imaginative Realism books and continually reference them. They are incredibly informative and a pleasure to the eyes. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned artist, I highly recommend them!

His Youtube channel is a fantastic free resource with detailed how-to guides as you follow him as he paints his latest piece. His online tutorials are easy to follow and informative. His explanations behind why he does what he does give you some amazing insights to improve your own drawing process. He has a gift of finding the magic and beauty in the ordinary. If you are like me, it won’t be long till you have his videos playing in the background as you create your own masterpieces.

James also has a website and blog which has its own hidden gems for fellow art geeks. If you like his Youtube videos, he has some courses on Gumroad which go into a ton more detail. I’ve bought a couple myself, and they are excellent.

5. Scott Robertson

• Free & Paid
• Recommended (His books are my go-to to learn how to draw and render)
• Specialty: Industrial design, perspective, rendering & 3D composition

Scott Robertson is a concept artist well known for his transportation design work. If you are interested in industrial design, Scott’s books are amazing, and his Youtube channel is brilliant.

In his videos he goes through how he draws, not shying away from subtle fundamentals such as line weight, perspective and developing your free hand drawing skills.

If you are struggling with drawing vehicles, buildings, or robots, then this is the perfect resource for you.

His books and  Gumroad Tutorials are a go-to resource for anyone wanting to master realistic drawing and design. His How to Draw book , is a must for any artist!

6. Draw A Box

• Perfect For: Beginners
• Recommended
• Specialty: Learn how to draw the basics of form, dynamic and constructive drawing, and the human figure.

Run by artist Irshad Karim, Draw A Box’s humble beginning was as a subreddit where artists could complete lessons and partake in challenges to further their skills.

The Draw A Box website takes it a step further with in-depth step-by-step lessons, complete with easy to follow videos on Youtube, exercises and homework assignments.

Personally,  I love the attention to detail . Irshad is obviously passionate about drawing and it shows in the amount of effort put into this free drawing resource.

Combined with  a great community on Reddit , beginners can feel comfortable sharing their work and getting constructive feedback from the community. This is the perfect place to start if you want to learn how to draw.

7. Jake Parker

• Perfect For: Beginners, Intermediate
• Free Youtube Tutorials. Paid Course Subscription
• Speciality: Inking, Drawing Fundamentals, Art Motivation

Jake Parker is the creator of Inktober , a children’s book illustrator, comic book author, and all round nice guy.

His Youtube channel covers everything from how to ink and tips to improve your drawings to career advice and promoting yourself on social media. He gives great advice and is not afraid to have a laugh. His step by step drawing lessons are fun, informative and simple to follow. I also just love geeking over his inking styles.

If you are interested in getting into Illustration, I highly recommend you check out his site SVS Learn, where he has paired up with other art industry leaders to provide some incredible online tutorials. These tutorials cover everything from the fundamentals of art and storytelling in art, to career advice and selling your work online.

The SVS Learn community is also incredibly friendly and great for anyone who is looking to hang out with some very talented artists.

8. Sycra Art Videos (Youtube)

• Free Videos
• Specialty: Drawing basics, light & shadows, case studies and speed painting.

Sycra has created a huge variety of content that is great for those new to drawing. His videos are very personal as he walks you through the different processes as he draws.

His  Youtube tutorial videos often highlight common issues when drawing and how he overcomes it. Many of his videos feel like an over the shoulder classroom as he takes you through different drawing processes.

9. Art Of Wei (Youtube)

• Specialty: Drawing specific characters, celebrities, objects and animals.

Wei has put together an awesome collection of simple, easy to follow videos as he draws people, objects and animals in real-time. Whether you want to learn how to draw eyes or want to draw realistic movie characters, he provides plenty of easy examples while talking you through the process the whole way. His portrait videos are excellent examples of how to draw realistic sketches from reference.

In each video, Wei talks about the importance of reference marks for accuracy and shading to bring out the forms.

10. Anthony Jones (Robot Pencil Design)

• Specialty: Digital painting & workflow in Photoshop

Anthony provides a great set of Youtube videos on digital painting and concept art workflow in Photoshop.

His videos are sprinkled with some excellent tips that will take your drawing to the next level. He also has some good videos on drawing practice and studying to get better results.

11. Gnomon Workshop

• Perfect For: Intermediate, Advanced
• Specialty: Drawing, sculpting, painting, 3D modeling, animation, composition & more.

They have a huge library of over 300 titles covering multiple art subjects and techniques. They cover everything from design, drawing, oil painting , as well as 3D modeling, texturing and animation.

When I first discovered Gnomon Workshop you would order a course online and they would mail out a DVD set. Things have changed since then! To access all of their content, you can now pay a monthly subscription fee, or you can pay yearly a cheaper price.

Some of the online training can be a little bit overwhelming for beginners, however, for people who are looking to take their skills to the next level, then Gnomon Workshop is awesome.

12. Ctrl + Paint

• Specialty: Drawing composition, using digital tools, art theory, and mindsets.

Matt Kohr has created a well-organized library of hundreds of professional video tutorials. Matt is personable as he clearly explains different digital drawing techniques. If you are a beginner looking to buy a drawing tablet , then Matt’s tutorials are a great start. This is my favorite resource if you want to learn how to draw digitally.

Each video provides clear step by step instructions, common mistakes, and easy homework assignments that challenge and helps you grow. He covers everything from the fundamentals and using them to drawing realistic and believable environments, characters and vehicles.

13. Draw With Jazza (Youtube)

•  Specialty: Drawing fundamentals, cartoon and animation.

Jazza’s Youtube channel is full of fun, informative, and easy drawing tips. He doesn’t do many tutorials anymore, so check out his older videos for the best how to draw guides.

In each video, he breaks down each technique he uses, while also sharing different methods to ones he favors. He covers everything from traditional and digital drawing techniques to photoshop and flash tutorials. Whether you love using colored pencils, paint or a tablet, he has something for you.

His channel also includes competitions and some amazing interviews with other professional artists.

14. Mark Crilley (Youtube)

• Specialty: Anime, manga, chibi, and art fundamentals.

Does the thought of anime or manga make your heart beat a little bit faster?

Mark has created an excellent collection of videos to help you learn how to draw different manga and anime styles, but also improve your general pencil drawing skills.

Mark provides simple, easy drawing guides, sprinkled with excellent tips, as he walks you step-by-step through the many different facets of Japanese drawing styles.

I particularly love how he compares cartoon style to realism, to help you to figure out what might be missing in your composition.

And for those who don’t have a drawing tablet, Matt works mostly with pencil on paper.

15. LethalChris Drawing (Youtube)

• Specialty: Drawing specific characters, objects, and creatures.

Chris has put together some amazing videos walking you through the process of how he draws everything from anime characters and fantasy creatures to random and interesting objects.

He clearly explains what to do, how to do it, and also  why he is doing it (which I love!). A great example is his easy drawing tutorial on how to draw smoke:

This tutorial shows Chris’s thought process behind the drawing and how that adds up to the final result.

So, what did you think of these online drawing tutorials? Did you have any tutorials you always recommend to artists?

Related posts:

• The 10 Best Art YouTube Channels For Artists in 2024
• Proko Anatomy Course Review: Are The Premium Classes Worth It?
• Proko Figure Drawing Fundamentals Course Review – Worth it?
• 21 Draw Review: Illustrators Guidebook & Masterclass Courses
• The Top 10 Best Online Art Classes Worth Paying For In 2024

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Drawing Lessons

I love Drawing Academy!

How to draw video lessons, drawing lesson 1.

Part 2 – Tools for Drawing Drawing chalks, colored pencils and charcoals

Part 3 – Drawing Tools Pen and Ink, Silverpoint and metal-point materials, Metal-point grounds, and Drawing paper.

Drawing Lesson 2

Drawing Lesson 3

Part 2 – How to Draw in Perspective How to draw in perspective by applying the two-point perspective method.

Part 3 – Perspective in Drawing Three-Point Perspective, Four-Point Perspective, Aerial Perspective.

Drawing Lesson 4

Part 2 – How to Draw Something How to draw using geometrical drawing method.

Part 3 – How to Draw Objects How to draw objects – Still-life.

Part 4 – Drawing Something Drawing by rendering shades.

Drawing Lesson 5

Part 2 – How to Draw a Face

Part 3 – How to Draw a Mouth

Part 4 – How to Draw an Ear

Part 5 – How to Draw an Eye

Drawing Lesson 6

Part 2 – Drawing a Portrait Classical Shade Rendering Techniques.

Part 3 – How to Draw Faces How to Draw Faces by Portraying Tonal Values.

Drawing Lesson 7

Part 2 – Drawing a Portrait Classical way of making a portrait in graphite pencil.

Part 3 – Drawing a Face Rendering tonal values in graphite pencil.

Drawing Lesson 8

Part 2 – How to Draw Head How to Draw a Male Head – Rendering shades in graphite pencil.

Part 3 – How to Draw Portraits Drawing a classical portrait step by step.

Drawing Lesson 9

Part 2 – Drawing a Girl Drawing a Girl – Copying the Old Masters.

Drawing Lesson 10

Part 2 – Architectural Detail Drawing Architectural Detail Drawing – Drawing three-dimensional shapes.

Part 3 – Drawing Architecture Defining three-dimensional volumes in tonal rendering.

Drawing Lesson 11

Part 2 – Drawing Faces Life Portrait in Red Pencil – Understanding tonal values when Drawing Faces.

Part 3 – Drawing in Colored Pencil Drawing in Colored Pencil – Life Portrait in Red Pencil.

Drawing Lesson 12

Part 2 – Two-Point Perspective Linear perspective drawing – Cathedral drawing in two-point perspective.

Part 3 – Drawing Perspective Discover the Drawing Perspective Theory.

Drawing Lesson 13

Part 2 – Anatomy of the Skull How to draw a head – Muscles Anatomy of the Skull.

Part 3 – Anatomy in Art Anatomy in Art – Making a portrait with the knowledge of human head anatomy.

Drawing Lesson 14

Part 2 – Drawing a Man Drawing a Man – William Shakespeare Portrait.

Part 3 – How to Draw Hair How to Draw Hair – Portraying William Shakespeare.

Drawing Lesson 15

Drawing Lesson 16

Part 2 – Bones in the Human Body

Part 3 – Shoulder and Arm

Part 4 – Bones of the Body

Part 5 – Shoulder and Arm

Part 6 – Leg Bones

Drawing Lesson 17

Part 2 – Drawing Portraits Traditional techniques of portrait drawing.

Part 3 – How to Draw Female Face How to Draw Female Face – Traditional drawing techniques.

Drawing Lesson 18

Part 2 – Drawing in Colored Pencil La Bella Principessa – Drawing in Colored Pencil.

Part 3 – Drawing with Colored Pencils La Bella Principessa – Drawing with Colored Pencils.

Drawing Lesson 19

Part 2 – Drawing an Eye Drawing an Eye – Shading eyes in graphite pencil.

Part 3 – How to Draw Eye How to Draw Eye – Traditional Drawing Approach.

Drawing Lesson 20

Part 2 – How to Draw a Body How to Draw a Body Using Classical Drawing Methods.

Part 3 – How to Draw a Male How to Draw a Male on example of the Belvedere Torso drawing.

Drawing Lesson 21

Part 2 – Anatomy of a Hand

Part 3 – Drawing a Hand

Part 4 – How to Draw Hands

Drawing Lesson 22

Part 2 – How to Draw Fashion Figures

Part 3 – How to Draw a Fashion Model

Part 4 – Golden Proportions in figure drawing

Drawing Lesson 23

Part 2 – Architecture Drawings Geometry of the Corinthian Order.

Part 3 – Architectural Drawing Rendering Shades in Architectural Drawing.

Drawing Lesson 24

Part 2 – Golden Mean Section Using the Golden Mean Section for making a Golden Proportion Gauge.

Part 3 – Golden Mean Proportion Golden Mean Proportion in Michelangelo’s Masterpieces.

Drawing Lesson 25

Part 2 – How to Draw in Ink

Part 3 – Drawing in Ink

Part 4 – How to Sketch in Ink

Drawing Lesson 26

Part 2 – How to Draw a Boat

Part 3 – How to Draw Trees

Part 4 – Drawing Trees

Part 5 – How to Draw a Landscape

Part 6 – How to Draw a Scenery

Drawing Lesson 27

Part 2 – Drawing a Horse Drawing a Horse in Carbon Pencil on Toned Paper.

Part 3 – How to Draw a Horse Head How to Draw a Horse Head in Carbon Pencil.

Drawing Lesson 28

Drawing Lesson 29

Part 2 – Drawing a Rose Drawing a Rose Step by Step.

Drawing Lesson 30

Part 2 – What is Silver-Point

Part 3 – What is Metal-Point

Part 4 – Drawing From Life

Drawing Lesson 31

Part 2 – Muscles in Human Body

Part 3 – Muscles of an Arm

Part 4 – Muscles of the Leg

Part 5 – Muscles of a Foot

Drawing Lesson 32

Drawing Lesson 33

Drawing Lesson 34

Part 2 – What is Metal Point Discover What is Metal Point.

Part 3 – Metal-Point Drawing Technique Discover the Metal-Point Drawing Technique.

Drawing Lesson 35

Part 2 – How to Draw People in Silverpoint Discover How to Draw People in Silverpoint.

Part 3 – Drawing the Human Body Drawing the Human Body in Silverpoint.

Drawing Lesson 36

Part 2 – How to Draw a Female How to Draw a Female – Life Drawing in Red Pencil.

Part 3 – Learn How to Draw Learn How to Draw a Life Model in Red Pencil.

Drawing Lesson 37

Part 2 – How to Draw Children Discover How to Draw Children in Charcoal.

Part 3 – Drawing a Girls Face Drawing a Girls Face – Charcoal Portrait.

Drawing Lesson 38

Part 2 – Life Model Drawing Life Model Drawing in Coloured Pencil.

Part 3 – How to Draw Female Learning How to Draw Female.

Drawing Lesson 39

Part 2 – How to Draw Birds How to Draw Birds and Other Animals.

Part 3 – Drawing a Bird Drawing a Bird of Prey – Eagle.

Drawing Lesson 40

Part 2 – How to Draw Animals – Squirrels In this “How to Draw Animals” video lesson, we will do three quick sketches of a small animal, squirrel in various poses.

Drawing Lesson 41

Part 2 – Drawing a Dog Drawing a Dog in Graphite Pencil.

Part 3 – How to Draw Dogs How to Draw Dogs From Memory.

Drawing Lesson 42

Part 2 – How to Draw Horses How to Draw Horses in red pencil.

Part 3 – How to Draw Clothes In this video lesson, you will see How to Draw Clothes on example of the horseman’s outfit.

Drawing Lesson 43

Part 2 – How to Draw a House In this video lesson, you will see How to Draw a House in black ink.

Part 3 – How to Draw Buildings How to Draw Buildings – Ink Drawing Methods.

Drawing Lesson 44

Part 2 – Drawing Technique How to make a creative artwork using Natalie Richy’s unique Drawing Technique.

Part 3 – Drawing Lessons See the process of the “Leda and the Swan” creative composition creation.

Drawing Lesson 45

Part 2 – What is Fine Art

Part 3 – What is Collage

Part 4 – What is Calligraphy

Part 5 – What is Drawing

Drawing Lesson 46

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This is a game built with machine learning. You draw, and a neural network tries to guess what you’re drawing. Of course, it doesn’t always work. But the more you play with it, the more it will learn. So far we have trained it on a few hundred concepts, and we hope to add more over time. We made this as an example of how you can use machine learning in fun ways. Watch the video below to learn about how it works, and

Built by Jonas Jongejan, Henry Rowley, Takashi Kawashima, Jongmin Kim, Nick Fox-Gieg, with friends at Google Creative Lab and Data Arts Team.

• View Homework Submissions
• Submit Homework for Review

Lesson 1: Lines, Ellipses and Boxes

Tables of ellipses.

Hate to read? No problem. We can read the text to you .

This feature is available completely free . While we will be keeping an eye on how feasible it is to eat the costs associated, we hope to keep it that way.

Just click "Listen with Drawabox"!

The first exercise is relatively straight forward, and involves drawing a lot of ellipses. These are not, however, simply free ellipses with no real goals. Instead, it is pinned on the idea of setting out criteria and targets for the ellipses we intend to draw, before drawing them. Therefore, when you draw your ellipse, it is either correct, or it isn't.

Start off by taking your piece of paper and dividing it into a table with two columns and a bunch of rows.

Each of these sections will contain a different variation on the exercise - here you can experiment with different approaches, but here's a few that you can try out first.

For this one, you draw a circle starting from the far left of the box. Then, draw another beside it. Keep repeating it until you fill in the whole box. Strive to make your circles touch the top and bottom of the box, as well as the line to the left of it.

Next, same idea, but with ellipses. Within the same section, you should aim to draw ellipses of the same degree. You can also play with the angle of the ellipse, and this should also be consistent within the same section.

This one's a little different. Draw a wave through the section, dividing it into irregular pockets of space. Then fill these spaces with circles or ellipses, trying to keep them touching the bounds of the section as well as the curve. Everything should fit in there snugly, and nothing should be floating around.

The purpose of this exercise

This exercise is meant to get you used to drawing ellipses, in a variety of sizes, orientations and degrees. It also sets out a clear space each ellipse is meant to occupy, giving us a means to assess whether or not an ellipse was successful, or if there were visible mistakes (where it went outside of its allotted space, or ended up falling short). Practicing against set criteria, with a way to judge success/failure is an important element of learning. There's nothing wrong with failure - it's an opportunity to learn. Having a clearly defined task allows us to analyze those failures and make the most of them.

Things to remember

When going through this exercise, there are a couple things I want you to keep in mind:

Draw confidently - use the ghosting method and "draw through" your ellipses two full times before lifting your pen to achieve a smooth, even shape.

Always set out a goal for the ellipse you're about to draw. This is generally what the "planning" phase of the ghosting method is for.

For a more in-depth explanation, you can check out this video, or the points listed below.

Mistake: Drawing without a concrete goal

I've seen lots of people do these in the past - that is, drawing ellipses floating inside of other ellipses. This is my opinion of course, but I don't think they're terribly useful, since they don't give a concrete target to aim for. I understand that it definitely is tricky to draw a circle inside of another circle and keeping it centered, but I still don't feel like it's as effective as other more concrete exercises.

Mistake: Not drawing through ellipses

This is something I'm pretty adamant about - you should be drawing through every single ellipse you draw for my lessons. That is, draw around the ellipse two or three times before lifting your pen. Two is ideal in my opinion, but three is also acceptable.

When you try to hit your ellipse in a single round, it's usually going to come out uneven and wobbly (due to drawing too slowly and carefully) or extremely loose in relation to the space in which it is meant to fit (due to simply not having built up the muscle memory to nail an ellipse accurately). Drawing through your ellipses gives your arm the chance to familiarize itself with what's being asked of it in that first pass, and then firm it up in the second.

Along with giving you an extra chance to build up the muscle memory, it also helps you maintain the confidence needed to achieve a smooth, even shape, without totally losing control.

As you get better, your ellipses will tighten up - the gaps between your successive passes will shrink and eventually your ellipses will appear much cleaner. At this point you'll probably be able to nail your ellipses in one pass, but I still want you to continue drawing through them for all of the Drawabox lessons. Outside of Drawabox, you're free to do what you like.

Example homework

Your end result will look something like this.

This page has student-made recordings

They're great to draw along with, or just to see how much time these exercises really take when they're not rushed.

Color and Light by James Gurney

Some of you may remember James Gurney's breathtaking work in the Dinotopia series. This is easily my favourite book on the topic of colour and light, and comes highly recommended by any artist worth their salt. While it speaks from the perspective of a traditional painter, the information in this book is invaluable for work in any medium.

Getting Your Work Critiqued

Having your work reviewed by others is critical, as those who are just starting out aren't in a position to properly judge their own work, and won't be for quite some time. Don't be afraid to show your struggles - it's by analyzing your mistakes that we can help you grow. Perfect homework is not what we're looking for; we just need it to be complete .

There are currently two places you can get your work critiqued by the community - Reddit and our Discord Chat Server .

Both of these are completely free .

Private Patreon Critiques

If you are interested in receiving extra help, I critique the work of those who support Drawabox on Patreon .

All of these private critiques are done through reddit, in specific threads where students post their work as a comment, including a link to their work (often hosted on Imgur , though most image hosts are okay).

My requirements are more strict than the free community critiques:

• You must complete the lessons in order, in their entirety, starting from lesson 1
• All work for the lesson must be completed - that means all exercises in the lesson, not just those in a given section
• You may only move onto the next lesson once the previous has been marked complete
• The work must be done in the tools recommended in the lesson

The minimum pledge for this lesson is $5.00/month . The orange button above will take you to the reddit thread for this lesson, you can post a link to your work there and I'll be notified. Once I catch the submission, I'll add it to this backlog spreadsheet .

Pledges are collected at the beginning of the following month, but you may start submitting your work immediately. If you're a new patron, I'll be reaching out to your shortly to collect your reddit username.

Part One: The Basics

An overview of basic skills - both technical and conceptual - with exercises that you will incorporate into your regular warmups for a long time to come. no matter how skilled or experienced you are, start at lesson 0..

Challenges and Drills

A series of drills that fit into the lessons at various times. these should not all be completed after lesson 2, but rather will be listed as recommended next steps or prerequisites as you follow the numbered lessons in order..

Part Two: Constructional Drawing

An exploration of how complex objects can be broken down into their fundamental components, then rebuilt from simple forms. we look at this concept of constructional drawing by applying it to many different topics - the focus is not on learning how to draw that specific subject matter, but rather to tackle construction from different perspectives..

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17 Digital Drawing Exercises To Boost Your Artistic Skills!

Whether a beginner artist or a veteran, the best way to improve your digital drawing skills is by doing good digital drawing exercises!

From drawing with a limited color palette to creating mixed media and sculptures, there’s a suitable drawing exercise for you in this list.

Here you can find a healthy mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced digital drawing exercises to match every skill level.

These digital drawing exercises are ordered from easiest to hardest , so if you want more of a challenge, keep scrolling!

Table Of Contents

• 1 Draw Using A Limited Color Palette
• 2 Practice Drawing Basic Shapes Of A Simple Subject
• 3 Fill A Sheet With Simple Lines
• 4 Draw From (Easy) Reference Material
• 5 Experiment Drawing With New Tools Or Brushes
• 6 Draw An Old Art Piece Again
• 7 Practice Drawing In A Different Art Style
• 8 Practice With Different Brush Thickness And Settings
• 9 Draw The Same Scene In Different Perspectives
• 10 Practice Drawing A Difficult Animal
• 11 Draw Something Out Of Blobs
• 12 Try Digital Sculpture And 3D Modeling
• 13 Master Drawing A Specific Body Part
• 14 Do A Drawing Exercise With A Time Constraint
• 15 Expand Your Color Palette
• 16 Draw Dynamic Poses For A Character
• 17 Digitally Paint A Complex Environment Or Landscape
• 18.1 What Are The Benefits Of Using Digital Tools In Art?
• 18.2 How Can I Stay Motivated With Consistent Drawing Practice?
• 18.3 What Digital Tools Or Software Should I Use?
• 18.4 Can I Do These Digital Art Exercises On My Phone?

Draw Using A Limited Color Palette

One of the best way to boost your artistic skills AND improve at color theory is by using a limited color palette.

With this digital drawing exercise you can not only work on composition and value, but also creating better artwork by blending and mixing colors correctly.

So here are the steps for this digital painting exercise:

• Choose a subject to draw. Try choosing something simple at first, such as a mug or a ball. You can check this list for other simple drawing ideas.
• Select 3-5 colors that work together. Don’t go overboard with colors ! 3 to 5 colors are more than enough. I recommend you to use a website such as coolors.co to help you find a good palette.
• Use ONLY these colors in your drawing. Use the colors you’ve picked. Don’t try to add more colors or switch them up, use your palette. A tip: don’t try to use the colors equally. Make 1 or 2 predominant colors and then use the others for small details.

And you’re done! This is a especially useful digital drawing exercise if you want to improve at using colors in your artwork.

Practice Drawing Basic Shapes Of A Simple Subject

Drawing basic shapes is a fundamental aspect of being a good artist.

In fact, this is a great drawing exercise if you plan on doing some figure drawing. The entire human body can be split into basic shapes and then refined and detailed later.

Many digital artists warm up by drawing shapes first, and then move on to other exercises, before starting to work on their main projects.

To do this exercise:

• Get a reference of a simple subject.
• Draw simple shapes. Circles, Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, draw shapes that are in their essence very simple. Either on top of the reference photo or to the side, it doesn’t matter!
• Pay attention to the relation between each shape. Your entire digital drawing of the subject should be easily identifiable with these shapes.
• (Optional) Refine the shapes and add details. The base exercise is meant to draw only the basic shapes, but you can go a step further and add details and refine it if you want an extra challenge!

This is one of many great digital painting exercises where you can keep ramping up the difficulty with more complex subjects. Have fun!

Fill A Sheet With Simple Lines

One of the best ways to improve your line quality and control of your digital drawing tools is by drawing lines on a canvas, sheet, or file.

This simple exercise can feel almost dull, but it’s actually pretty satisfying to see all those lines drawn together!

For this exercise:

• Choose your drawing tool. You can use the same brush you use normally, or try other digital brushes.
• Fill a layer with lines. You can draw straight lines, parallel lines, or some curved lines. Totally up to you! This is a great time to draw some patterns and just doodle around. What matters is that you keep your lines confident and flowing.

Do keep an eye out on the pressure that you’re applying to your tool, and vary it to see the effects on your software! Just have fun and play around with it.

Draw From (Easy) Reference Material

If your weakness in drawing (either digital or traditional drawing) is accuracy to the details of what you’re drawing, you most likely are lacking good reference!

Either that, or you’re not using any reference at all! (don’t do this please)

To make this an easy digital drawing exercise, I recommend you grab a reference photo of still life . Then you just focus on the proportions between each element of the photo!

You can even draw directly on the original photo so you can improve your muscle memory of the subject. Notice the light source, how the shading looks, and pay a lot of attention to the details!

Tip: If you’re taking the photo, take it from different angles so you can practice different perspectives.

Experiment Drawing With New Tools Or Brushes

This is the exercise for you if you’re looking to try new techniques or want to expand your artistic skills!

And it’s very simple. Choose a tool that you’re NOT used to.

This can be anything. For example, the procreate default brushes are amazing, but maybe you can download some new different brushes from the web and use those!

You can also try using the Pen tool to draw and the smudge tool to tweak and distort your drawing around.

Another fun technique is blind contour drawing , for example. It can lead to some quite interesting results.

Draw An Old Art Piece Again

Drawing challenges are always a great and fun way to practice drawing! And the “Draw This Again” trend is a wonderful exercise for digital artists.

Many artists have taken this challenge , and it’s a great way to see how much you’ve improved your drawing skills.

• Choose an old art piece.

It’s quite simple, but effective.

You should try and recreate it as closely as possible. But if your art style has changed or if you’ve learned new techniques, feel free to incorporate those in your new drawing!

It will show your improvement over time, so it’s a great drawing exercise to do every couple of months.

Practice Drawing In A Different Art Style

Want to try something new? How about a cartoon art style !

This is easier if you turn your digital artwork into a different style than your usual one. (Instead of just trying a new art style and drawing something new at the same time)

So choose an art style, a subject or previous work, and try your hand at it!

When you find a new art style you like, I recommend you save a painting in that style for future reference. Better yet, save a bunch of different digital paintings, so you have multiple sources of inspiration!

This is a great challenge for any digital artist , and it will help you stay inspired.

And if you’re unsure on what style to try, here are a few very simple art styles for you!

Practice With Different Brush Thickness And Settings

Being an artist in the digital world has its perks! And one of those perks is the number of settings you can tweak and the versatility of your digital tools.

This is one of those digital drawing exercises that seems pretty common. But most artists, when they find their favorite settings in a tool, they stop experimenting.

Take some time exploring your brush tool, play around with the line thickness of the brushes, and test out different pressure sensitivity options!

And don’t just doodle. Really go at it and draw an entire subject or artwork using different settings than usual.

This will make you more comfortable with your digital work and you might even find some new favorite settings to use!

Draw The Same Scene In Different Perspectives

Perspective drawing can be pretty scary. But once you master it, your drawing skills will improve tenfold!

• First, get a subject or picture of real life with an interesting perspective.
• Then, make a drawing based on that picture! Keep it as close as possible to the original perspective.
• Finally, draw it again, in a different perspective!

This final step can warp your mind a bit, since you need a good imagination to draw in different perspectives. But if you know the basics of perspective, you should be able to do it!

Consider it a big challenge. This is more of those advanced digital drawing exercises.

For example, you can try a simple two-point perspective (a great way to draw architecture) with two vanishing points .

Or you can try one-point perspective if you’re looking for an easier challenge.

If you’re rusty on perspective drawing or just want a quick reminder, here’s a complete guide on the types of perspective drawing.

Practice Drawing A Difficult Animal

Drawing anatomy , in general, is pretty difficult! And creating a digital drawing of animal anatomy is the same.

Go outside of your comfort zone and draw a difficult animal. Be sure to use reference photos and videos to help you get the overall shapes right!

Don’t worry too much about perfection. Do several quick sketches first to capture the overall essence of the animal you’re drawing, then add details later.

Here are some difficult animals for you to draw:

And if you’re still looking for some more ideas other than animals, here are 7 other hard things to draw.

Draw Something Out Of Blobs

One of the most fun drawing exercises (in my opinion) that you can do is draw something out of blobs!

This will help you improve your imagination and give you a new (or several new) pieces of art.

To do this digital drawing exercise:

• Draw blobs of color on a sheet. You can do this digitally or traditionally. If you do this traditionally, take photos so you can work on them digitally after.
• Focus on the shapes and draw what comes to mind! This is pretty self-explanatory. Just draw whatever comes to mind when looking at those forms!

This is like looking at the sky and imagining the clouds look like a pig or cat!

You can also take this a step further and turn your blobs into full original characters. I did this in a video some time ago, check it out below!

If you’re not happy with your original blobs of color, just redo them in a new sheet or layer. The most important part on this exercise is to have fun and keep on experimenting.

Try Digital Sculpture And 3D Modeling

On the subject of trying new tools, there’s always a possibility to try some digital sculpturing!

Doing 3D modeling or digital sculpturing is a good way to experiment with new mediums, and it can spark some inspiration for your projects.

To practice this exercise, here’s what you can do.

• Choose a 3D Modeling/Sculpturing software. Some popular options for this are ZBrush (paid) and Blender (free).
• Pick a subject. If you’re just starting out I recommend you to pick a simple subject such as a vase or a mug.
• (Optional) Look up tutorials. These are pretty complex pieces of software, so I recommend you to look up some helpful tutorials about 3D. Youtube is always a good place to do this!

And don’t stress out about it not being perfect at first. This is a new skill so it should take some time getting used to.

If you’re looking for an extra challenge, just choose a more complex subject or a whole big environment.

You can even try sculpting a real painting , like the mona lisa, and turning it into 3D!

Master Drawing A Specific Body Part

There are many difficult body parts to draw, such as drawing hands. So if you’ve been postponing drawing the anatomy of a part of the body, now’s the time. To practice drawing the body:

• Gather reference images
• Sketch the basic shapes
• Draw the details of the body part
• Clean up the lines

Fill your digital software with practice drawings of this specific body part, and you’ll improve MUCH faster. Trust me on this.

Do A Drawing Exercise With A Time Constraint

Time constraints (just like other constraints) tend to make you hyper-focus on what you’re doing, and make you get creative with your work.

So doing a drawing exercise (such as the ones we mentioned before) with a time constraint will help you improve your drawing skills much faster.

With that said, some people don’t react well being “on the clock”. So if this drawing exercise is stressful for you, feel free to skip it.

If not, then I recommend you to do some gesture drawing ! These are quick gesture sketches that will improve your dynamic posing of figures.

You can use a website such as line-of-action.com and choose a time interval setting from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. According to your preference!

I recommend you start with a longer time interval and then push yourself for the shorter intervals. Have fun!

Expand Your Color Palette

This is the opposite of another digital drawing exercise we mentioned before, where you limit your color palette. Here you make it a challenge to increase your color range and add more elements to your artwork.

For example, you’ve done a grassland painting. But you want to add some red to it. So what can you add? To increase your color palette , you could add:

• A Red Bird, such as the Northern Cardinal
• Some Red Flowers, like roses

The options go on and on, but this is a great exercise and challenge to practice painting with a bigger color palette.

Draw Dynamic Poses For A Character

When digital drawing characters and figures, you might feel that your drawings look too stiff.

The usual problem here is that the poses aren’t dynamic enough.

This can be because of many things. From lack of confidence in your skills, a reference photo that isn’t very good or anything else.

I recommend you to really try to understand the reason your pose looks “boring” and what you can do about it! Try exaggerating the pose or start again with a stronger gesture and line of action!

This is something that you can easily get better at with some practice, and I’ve created specific videos on my Figure Drawing Course to help with this step-by-step.

Digitally Paint A Complex Environment Or Landscape

If you’re too used to drawing the same subjects (such as characters or objects) over and over again, it can become quite boring.

You can even find yourself losing motivation and inspiration! So why not try a different subject , such as doing a digital drawing of a complex environment?

When creating a digital painting of a Landscape or other environment, you should pay close attention to ALL the elements you want to include.

Whether you’re doing this digital painting with a reference photo or solely using your imagination, the distance and proportion between elements matter a lot.

Learning to draw an environment on a digital canvas deserves a whole blog post dedicated to it.

But for now, here’s what you can do:

• Choose GOOD reference images of an environment. Save several references with different elements and points of view. This will help you take elements you like from each reference image.
• Sketch the composition and perspective. Focus just on where the main elements are and add them to your composition.
• Add details and shading. Once you’re done with the sketch, take time to add details, do some shading on your canvas and figure out the light source.
• Refine, refine, refine. Now it’s time to refine! Clean your lines, see if you need to erase some elements or create new ones. Keep going until you’re happy with your digital painting!

The most important thing is to have fun with this process. Digital painting is hard and, just like in real life “traditional painting”, it takes time to get better at.

Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect yet, and concentrate on improving your painting techniques.

Related Questions

With all these digital art exercises ready for you, let’s review some quick related questions that you might find helpful.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Digital Tools In Art?

With so many benefits to drawing digitally, you can even argue that digital art is easier than traditional painting. Some of the benefits of using digital tools in art are:

• Better Portability. You can create art at any time, in any place! Simply carry your tablet (or even phone!) with you, and you’re ready to start drawing.
• More Sustainable Than Traditional Tools. Not only can you generally use the same digital tool for longer (I have used the same drawing tablet for over 10 years!), but they also have a smaller ecological footprint.
• Easy To Share And Collaborate. Want to share your artwork on different platforms? It’s easy! Save your file in a size appropriate for the platform you’re uploading, and it’s done. Want to get your traditional painting in a larger size and frame? Well… that’s a bit harder. You can also send you file to a partner to edit across the world to collaborate. Super handy!
• Thousands of Tools At Your Fingertips. Using digital tools is very versatile, since you can simply change from one tool to another with a click of a button. Want to go from a digital oil brush to charcoal? One click and you’re done! No need to wait for paint to dry or prepare surfaces.

There are many other benefits to using digital art tools, but I just wanted to cover a few here!

How Can I Stay Motivated With Consistent Drawing Practice?

Consistency is key when drawing, so if you lack motivation, you won’t be able to keep on doing these digital art exercises to improve. Worse yet, you might even burn out!

I recommend you to take consistent breaks and make a schedule, so you can make drawing a habit. I’ve gone over getting the motivation to draw in more detail in this article here.

What Digital Tools Or Software Should I Use?

I recommend you to use drawing software that you like and are used to. Some good options are Clip Studio Paint , Krita, Adobe Photoshop, and GIMP.

For more specific recommendations, check out my list of the Best Free Drawing Software here.

Can I Do These Digital Art Exercises On My Phone?

While I do recommend using a drawing tablet or a regular tablet (like an iPad with Procreate and an Apple Pencil), you can also use your phone to improve your digital art.

This will take some time to get used to, but it’s possible! Sit in a comfortable area and just use your finger or a stylus for touch screens like this one and start painting!

I hope these exercises to improve your artistic skills are helpful to you! And if you’re looking for a more guided approach to drawing, grab my Complete Figure Drawing Course , filled with helpful step-by-step video lessons!

Patricia Caldeira is the main writer here at Don Corgi. She's an art teacher with over 20.000 happy students across many platforms and courses!

Enjoy your stay and as always: Keep on drawing!

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Drawing Practice: Linework Exercise

This is my go-to drawing practice when I’m wanting to improve my linework skills, warm up before working on a project, or want to get back into drawing after a break. This practice helps develop control and consistency by focusing on drawing circles and lines in patterns.

I picked up this exercise when I was looking for ways to improve my drawing skills after being frustrated that I hadn’t improved after drawing for a while. One thing I noticed about my illustrations was that my lines didn’t flow the way I wanted them too. I was also discouraged because I didn’t know what to draw and was getting tired of looking for a subject to study without feeling inspired.

This practice helped by giving me something to draw without the expectations that it would have to look like a specific subject, while also allowing me to practice building my linework skills.

I usually recommend this exercise to all my students when they’re wanting to improve their drawing skills. I like to think of this as a stretch or gentle job before a big run, it’s something to warm up the hand and mind without the pressure of full-performance. One of the ways I notice myself and others struggle with drawing and illustration is when we expect to have a finished “perfect” drawing immediately. When something doesn’t look like what we’re expecting to see, that discouragement can make us put down the pencils and not want to pick them up again.

This exercise creates a respite from that expectation, so we can be present with the practice and appreciate what we can do rather than what we struggle to achieve.

This isn’t a magic exercise, though. To become skilled at drawing and illustration, you’ll still need to practice drawing different subjects from references and your imagination. This exercise is a way to prepare for that work.

Published by Jen

Artist and Educator based in the Pacific Northwest. I create drawings and paintings inspired by fantasy and color; arts education project and lesson plans for all. jenhernandezart.com/theatelierista View all posts by Jen

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Lesson 1: How to Sketch

Click here to read the introduction to the course if you missed it!

Drawing is simply the process of layering shapes, lines, scribbles and values on top of each other until you get your desired result.

In this first lesson, we’re going to focus on the process of sketching . If you can make a mark on a piece of paper, you can learn how to sketch! You don’t need to be able to draw straight lines or perfect circles in order to be an artist.

Introduction to Sketching

Sketching is the process of roughly scribbling an idea on paper. It allows you to bring your ideas to life quickly so you can save time in the long run. It’s a great way to brainstorm!

So don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

This stage is meant for exploration! When I make a mistake, I find ways to use that mistake to my advantage. If I can’t, I’ll simply move on.

How to Sketch

It’s best to use free flowing lines that are loosely and lightly drawn. To do that, adjust your grip on the pencil so that your hand is relaxed instead of tense. If your hand usually gets tired after you’ve drawn for less than an hour, you’re probably gripping it too tightly.

When making an initial sketch, you’ll want to leave your perfectionism behind and focus on general shapes. Think about the size, shape, angle, etc. The last thing you want to think about is detail!

Let’s Sketch Something Together!

Since this is a sketching tutorial for beginners, I’m using my left hand (non-dominant hand) to show you that you don’t need to have good control of your hand in order to sketch well.

Step 1: Sketch a circle loosely

I sketched a circle using a bunch of loosely drawn lines. Don’t worry if your lines are going in weird directions. It’s likely that you’re not going to draw something perfect the first time around. That’s totally fine! Remember, we’re supposed to work in layers.

Step 2: Refine the shape

After your initial sketch, find areas that need improvement and sketch over it until you get closer to your desired result.

Step 3: Keep refining

Keep repeating that step until you get even closer to what you want.

Tip: You can rotate your sketch book to help your eyes look at the shape differently. You might spot some obvious areas that need fixing.

Step 4: Define the shape

Happy with how it looks overall? Use more confident lines to define the shape of your circle. You can erase the scribbly lines or let them disappear naturally as you continue to work on your drawing.

Like That Example? Here are Some More!

I got used to moving my elbow and shoulder joint to draw which gave me much smoother lines. If you look at the images in the example above, you’l notice that my lines gradually become a lot less wobbly.

I thought it would be fun to show you the difference between a sketch made with my left versus right hand:

Your Homework Assignment

Things to remember while you draw:

• Don’t be a perfectionist
• Focus on the overall shape instead of the details
• Use a gentle amount of pressure

Assignment #1:

Fill an entire page in your sketchbook, following the steps in this lesson.

Step 1: Sketch Loosely

Step 3: Refine it further

Step 4: Define the desired shape

Find objects to draw around the house, outside or from a quick google search on “random objects”. Once you fill an entire page in your sketchbook, fill another one.

My challenge to you: If you can draw 50 things in your sketchbook and submit it to the facebook page , I’ll feature your artwork down below!

Here are some ideas for you to draw:

• Person jumping
• Person sitting
• Person standing
• My avatar picture

Done the assignment?

Let me know if/how you improved and how this lesson helped you draw better!

If you’re waiting for lesson 2, sign up to my special mailing list in the sidebar or follow me on facebook  and I’ll notify you when it’s posted.

Update: Click here for lesson 2

Have any questions? Drop them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you shortly!

Readers Who Completed the Challenge!

Pamela Gail Rowell

Nika Andrienko

Firoz Wadud  <– he drew 80!!

Chris Brown

Nykesha Guinita

Anahita Sharma

Ritwik Verma

Guylene Antoine

Darlene created RFA In 2013 with the goal of sharing simple yet detailed drawing tutorials with other artists on the world wide web. She is a self taught pencil portrait artist and Youtuber.

Related Posts

Lesson 2: Learn to See Things Differently

Lesson 3: Going From 2D to 3D

Lesson 4: How to Draw with Accurate Proportions

181 thoughts on “lesson 1: how to sketch”.

Thankful to have stumbled upon this page GOD bless you Darlene..Thank you

This is an amazingly great tutorial, more grease to your elbows.

Hi I have finished my first lesson and assignment as well, can I share my assignment through mail?

great lesson

Hi Darlene. I found your lesson on Google. Decided my artworks need improvement. I have done the lesson 1 assignment but I am not sure how to show it to you. I went to your FB page but couldn’t find any contact or post options. I have 2 questions. 1) How do I send you the assignment that I have completed? 2) Do I really have to make fifty random objects? I’ve done 28 though. Your advice in lesson 1 really helped thanks. Moizz Hussain from Pakistan.

I am so excited to do this in 2023 i love to draw with my neice and shes amazing at only 11 i cant wait to show her this class aswell and see of she want to join in with me so excited

Lol am stuck on cat :D

Oh mah god i love this pls make more tutorials!!!!!!!

Hello Darlene WOW these sketches that have been sent in look so good! Hopefully this will be me soon? thank you for helping I am just beginning my journey and loving it so far, I have really surprised myself!

Thanks you very much for your generous interest. I pay close attention to all your videos assignaments and suggestions. Mer

I really appreciate it handwork

Wow most of the sketches I looked at looked pretty pro to me! I’m still trying to draw the bird lol

Hi Darlene I am a software engineer by profession and i have started my journey of learning to draw. I am so glad that i found your YT channel and your free course! I am excited to begin my art Journey

With Gratitude Sri

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Line Drawing: A Guide for Art Students

Last Updated on September 1, 2023

When we first picked up a pen or pencil and started making marks on paper, we began with line. Whether self-taught, through trial and error, or guided by others, we learned how line defines form, creates structure, divides a frame, traces contour, creates tonal variation (cross-hatching, for example) and leads the eye from one part of a work to another. Initially a mechanism for getting outlines onto paper – identifying edges – we begin to applaud lines for their own merit: celebrate their presence…whether a quiet flick of charcoal on paper or a streak of graphite.

This article contains exercises for Art students who wish to produce contour line drawings, cross contour drawings, blind drawings and other types of line drawings. It is a teaching aid for high school Art students and includes classroom activities, a free downloadable PDF worksheet and inspirational artist drawings.

Blind Contour Drawing

Definition : A blind contour drawing contains lines that are drawn without ever looking at the piece of paper. This forces you to study a scene closely, observing every shape and edge with your eyes, as your hand mimics these on paper. The aim is not to produce a realistic artwork, but rather to strengthen the connection between eyes, hand and brain: a reminder that, when drawing, you must first learn to see.

Blind Drawing Exercises : Blind drawing is an excellent way to start a high school Fine Art programme. Drawing wobbly lines that bear little resemblance to the chosen object is relaxing and stress-free. Often, a classroom bubbles with laughter at the unexpected results. Blind drawing stretches the arms and soul; eases you into observational drawing without fear.

READ NEXT: How to make an artist website (and why you need one)

Gesture Drawing / Timed Drawing / Movement Drawing

Definition : A gesture drawing is completed quickly – often in short timed durations, such as 20, 30, 60 or 90 seconds – using fast, expressive lines. Gesture drawings capture basic forms and proportions – the emotion and essence of a subject – without focusing on detail. Due to their rapid completion, they are a great way to record movement and action, as well as increase your drawing speed, confidence and intuitive mark-making skill. Gesture drawings are best completed with smooth, easily applied mediums (chunky graphite pencils, charcoal sticks, pastels, soft brushes dipped in Indian ink, for example), without the use of an eraser. They are often completed on large, inexpensive sheets of paper, where you can move your arm fluidly, be bold with mark-making, and not worry about mistakes. As with blind drawings, gesture drawing is an ideal warm-up activity.

Gesture Drawing Exercises : When you begin investigating your subject matter in the initial phase of a high school Art programme, it can be helpful to make several first-hand gestural drawings. The best of these can be selected for your final portfolio (taking advantage of a photocopier or digital camera to reduce in size, if necessary). A small still life scene can be depicted just as easily as a large moving form.

A gesture drawing by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn :

A gestural figure drawing by Chelsea Stebar :

Continuous Line Drawing

Definition : A continuous line drawing is produced without ever lifting the drawing instrument from the page. This means that, in addition to outlines and internal shapes, the pencil must move back and forth across the surface of the paper, with lines doubling back on each other, so that the drawing is one free-flowing, unbroken line. To avoid the temptation to erase lines, it can be helpful to complete a continuous line drawing with an ink pen, varying the line weight, as needed, to indicate perspective and areas of light and shadow. Like the drawing methods described above, this drawing method develops confidence and drawing speed, and encourages your eyes and hand and brain to work together. Continuous line drawings work best with in-depth observation of your subject, without interference from your thinking mind. According to Smithsonian Studio Arts :

…continuous line drawing is actually a very powerful way to create a piece that is both hard edged and fluid, representational and abstract, rational and emotional all in one.

Continuous Line Drawing Exercises : This drawing method is great for sketchbooks and drawing from life. It can be an excellent starter activity, with drawings completed on large, inexpensive paper that can be scanned / edited / cropped and used in other ways within your projects.

An A Level Art sketchbook page by  Lucy Feng  from Hereford Sixth Form College, Herefordshire, UK:

Contour drawing

Definition: A contour drawing shows the outlines, shapes and edges of a scene, but omits fine detail, surface texture, colour and tone (‘contour’ is French for ‘outline’). According to Wikipedia :

The purpose of contour drawing is to emphasize the mass and volume of the subject rather than the detail; the focus is on the outlined shape of the subject and not the minor details.

The illusion of three-dimensional form, space and distance can be conveyed in a contour drawing through the use of varied line-weight (darker lines in the foreground / paler lines in the distance) and perspective.

Contour Drawing Exercises : Using line alone eliminates the challenge of applying tone, colour and mediums; and instead focuses attention solely upon shape and proportion. After completing warm-up activities such as blind and gesture drawings, slower, more formal contour drawings can be an excellent way to begin more realistic representations of your subject matter. Used intermittently throughout projects, contour drawings can also be helpful for the student who needs to work faster .

A contour drawing by  Ultima Thule :

Cross contour drawing

Definition : A cross contour drawing contains parallel lines that run across the surface of an object (or radiate from a central point), such as those that appear on a topographical map or a digital wireframe. The lines can run at any appropriate angle (sometimes at multiple angles) and may continue across objects and into the background. Cross contour drawings typically follow the rules of perspective, with lines drawn closer together in the distance and further apart in the foreground. In this type of drawing, the illusion of three-dimensional volume is created entirely with line.

Cross Contour Drawing Exercises : This is an excellent way to gain familiarity with the volumes and three-dimensional forms in your project, producing analytical cross contour drawings that are suitable for sketchbooks or early preparatory sheets.

Cross contour drawing of a shell by Matt Louscher :

Cross contour hand drawings by (from left) Mathew Young, Ryan Acks and Lea Dallaglio while studying at the  San Jose State University , Department of Art and Art History:

Cross contour drawings by Daniel Servin (left) and Alfred Manzano, completed while studying AP Studio Art at Mt Eden High School in Hayward, California, USA:

A wireframe contour drawing exercise by Year 9 student Seonmin Lee from ACG Parnell College , Auckland, New Zealand:

Planar analysis drawing

Definition : A planar analysis drawing simplifies complex curved surfaces into flat planes, using straight lines. This process helps students to think about the underlying structure of objects and results in an analytical drawing, that is rather mechanical in appearance.

Planar Analysis Drawing Activity : This can be a great introductory drawing exercise, especially if you are moving towards Cubism or abstracting scenes into geometric form.

A planar analysis portrait completed by a student of Cat Normoyle :

Wire sculpture drawings

Definition : Wire can be cut and bent into shapes with pliers to create three-dimensional ‘drawings’, often resulting in a work filled with flowing, curved lines. These wire sculptures can be attached to a two-dimensional frame or a flat surface, hung in the air, or be left free-standing, changing in appearance as a viewer moves around the room. Due to their flexible nature, wire sculptures often move slightly in the wind, adding an extra interactive element to the work.

Wire Sculpture Line Drawing Exercise : This is an excellent activity for middle school students and for high school students, if it relates specifically to your project (and does not interfere with postage requirements, for those who need to post work away for assessment). Small wire experiments, using light-weight wire, can also be mounted to sketchbook pages.

Wire sculptures completed by the students of Amy Bonner Oliveri from Allendale Columbia School, Rochester, New York, USA:

Hatching, cross hatching, and other line techniques

As well as representing contours, line can also be used to apply tone (light and shadow) to a drawing. This can be done by altering the:

• Gap between the lines
• Lightness / darkness of the line
• Thickness of the line

There are many line techniques can be used to create tone, as illustrated in the worksheet below. Common techniques include:

• Small dashes
• Hatching (long, parallel lines on an angle)
• Cross-hatching (parallel lines at right angles)
• Stippling (dots)
• Small crosses
• Small circles

The angle that these techniques are applied may remain constant within a drawing, or it may change in response to the angle and direction of the forms. For example, cross-hatching may flow around the surface of an object in a similar direction as cross contour lines. These techniques are also a great way to create the illusion of texture (see our article about observational drawings ).

Line Techniques Worksheet : The worksheet below has been provided by the Student Art Guide for classroom use only and may be issued freely to students (credited to studentartguide.com), as well as shared via the social media buttons at the bottom of this page. It may not be published online or shared or distributed in any other way, as per our terms and conditions . The full size printable worksheet is available by clicking the PDF link below. This worksheet is suitable for middle school students, or senior students who have not had prior experience with line techniques.

Click here to open the full size worksheet as a printable PDF .

An Indian Ink still life drawing by Kirana Intraroon, completed while in Year 10 at ACG Strathallan College , Auckland, New Zealand:  

An A* GCSE Art sketchbook page by Samantha Li :

A final GCSE Art piece by Hannah Armstrong :  

Artist line drawings

Here is a collection of line drawings from famous and less well known artists, to inspire high school Art students and teachers. This section is continually updated. Enjoy!

Pablo Picasso :

Andy Warhol :

David Hockney :

Vincent van Gogh :

Leonardo da Vinci :

Aaron Earley :

Peter Root :

Maurizio Anzeri

Karolina Cummings :

Daniel Mathers

Roz McQuillan :

Wang Tzu-Ting :

Nina Smart :

Andy Mercer :

Vital Photography :

Matthew Dunn :

Rod McLaren :

Andreas Fischer :

Nicholas Weltyk :

Liliana Porter :

Hong Chun Zhang :

Bruce Pollock :

David Eskenazi

Matt Niebuhr :

Albrecht Durer :

Victoria Haven :

Carne Griffiths :

William Anastasi :

Charles Avery

Did you enjoy this article? You may wish to read 11 Tips for Producing an Excellent Observational Drawing .

Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.

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