what to draw homework

Artjournalist

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 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.

12 Art and Poem Pairings to Inspire Creative Expression in Your Art Room 

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Unplug with 12 Innovative Early Finisher Activities for the Secondary Art Room

46 Early Finisher Activities to Boost Creativity in Your Elementary Art Room

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1000 Things To Draw

a queen reaching for socks

Share this topic with friends! http://1000thingstodraw.com/?GwFhAO4A Tweet or lets try another

play anywhere

Want to recreate 1000 things to draw at home? You're in luck! We've created a special PDF for you to cut out and play at home. Just follow the instructions to bring 1000 things to draw to life!

ONLY USD $10

Instant PDF Download

What's This

1000 things to draw is a fun challenge for everyone, young or old! Our mission is to challenge YOU to draw something completely random and silly to flex those creative muscles!

How Does It Work?

1000 things to draw is a free web app. Just use the simple interface above to get new suggestions on what to draw (we know you're stumped from time to time!) And If you'd like to turn it into a game, we've got that covered too: download the PDF and bring it wherever you go! To share the topic with your friends, just select the displayed link, copy and share it with your friends!

1000 things to draw is the brainchild of Amy Ng, the editor of popular drawing and illustration blog Pikaland . One day she got tired of asking herself "what should I draw?" so she designed a way to leave it to chance instead.

Whether you're drawing a hippo wearing a tutu or a sock invading a fridge, it's always more fun when you invite others to join in.

Go on and spread the word!

Tag us on Instagram!

Use the hashtag: #1000thingstodraw on your drawings and share in the fun!

Facebook Page

Follow us for more cool projects!

Invite others with a tweet!

Upload your drawings in the group pool!

StumbleUpon

Share on StumbleUpon

This website is part of the Pikaland family. Drawn, designed and conceptualized by Amy Ng .

How to Draw: Free Beginner’s Course

This free drawing course will guide you through a series of fun and easy tutorials which will develop your drawing skills quickly.

If you’re a seasoned artist, this course could be a great refresher! You might even learn something new.

My name is Darlene and I created this free drawing course because I want to provide beginners with all the resources to learn the skills they need without having to fork up loads of cash or rummage the web for bits and pieces.

Shout out to Nadia Adalath for inspiring me to create this course! Thank you :)

The unique thing about this course is that I’m going to use my non-dominate hand to learn along with you.

That means that I won’t have the same level of control as my right hand and will basically need to develop my drawing muscles from scratch! I want to prove to you that you can learn how to draw even if your writing looks like chicken scratch!

Some of the things you will learn:

• How to draw the smart way
• How to draw more realistically
• How to draw what you see
• How to shade realistically
• How to draw with perfect proportions

Tools you’ll need to begin:

A sharp pencil, blank piece of paper and an open mind.

• HB Pencil: Also known as #2 pencil
• Any sketch paper

How to Draw for Beginners: Course Outline

There are 5 levels in this free drawing course with a total of 10 lessons (I may decide to add more). Each lesson can be completed at your own pace and comes with a series of homework assignments.

You can submit your homework assignments on the  RFA facebook page and get feedback from me and other students participating in the course, just like in a real classroom. It will be a great way to track your progress as well!

I like to date all of my work (yes, even if it’s bad) so that I can go back and see my improvements later. It’s really fun and I highly suggest you do it as well :)

If you want to make some suggestions on what to cover in future lessons, let me know. I’m always taking in new ideas and since these lessons are for YOU, I want them to be more personalized.

You can access all lessons from this page, so make sure to bookmark it in your browser. You can even subscribe to my mailing list to get notified when new lessons are posted!

Ready to start?

LEVEL 1: The Building Blocks of Art

Level 1 covers the very basics of drawing and why you don’t need to be perfect when it comes to sketching. You’ll learn how to draw faster and how to draw things that are more structurally sound.

Lesson 1: How to Sketch If you can make a mark on a piece of paper, you can sketch!  –>   Go to lesson!

Lesson 2: Learn to see things differently Learn how you can draw more accurately and quickly by breaking complicated objects down into simple shapes   –>   Go to lesson!

Lesson 3: Going from 2D to 3D Step up your game and learn how to make your drawings go from 2D to 3D using various techniques.   –>   Go to lesson!

LEVEL 2: The Devil’s in the Details

Level 2 allows you to really pay attention to what you’re drawing and how you can make even your line drawings look realistic!

Lesson 4: How to draw with accurate proportions Learn 4 awesome techniques to get your proportions more accurate.   –>   Go to lesson!

Lesson 5: Common Drawing Mistakes and How to Fix Them Are you paying enough attention? Learn how to analyze your artwork and easily identify areas that could use improvement    –>   Go to lesson!

LEVEL 3: Techniques to Step Up Your Game

Lesson 6:  Introduction to Linear Perspective Learn how you can draw unique scenes with people using one-point and two-point linear perspective –> Go to lesson!

Lesson 7:  Introduction to Line Quality Learn how to further enhance your drawings by varying your line weight  –>  Go to lesson!

LEVEL 4: How to Shade Realistic Textures

Lesson 8: Introduction to shading techniques

Learn four different shading techniques to shade a variety of realistic textures –> Go to lesson!

Lesson 9: Learn how to shade

Learn 7 simple steps so you can start shading today! –>  Go to lesson!

LEVEL 5: Wrapping it all up

Lesson 10:   – Putting it all together

Learn how to put everything from lessons 1-9 into practice through 3 examples –> Go to lesson!

116 thoughts on “How to Draw: Free Beginner’s Course”

I can’t seem to find a video from you about sketching a person from a photo i was curious if you have one. I enjoy your tutorials very much unfortunately the tablet im using leaves much to be desires would you suggest buying a wacom one like you have?

Just wanted to say thanks. Your video lessons have changed my life (in a good way)

I am a beginner…and I need advance experience on drawing

How do I sign up for this course please and thank you.

Hi Daniel, there’s no need to sign up. You can just click on the lesson links to get started. I don’t collect any of your information :) Cheers!

I asked for a video on drawing the human head – I found that video on your site. Thanks.

Your videos are so very helpful. I would love to see a video on how to draw the human head. Do you have one?

Pls I am a beginner and I want to how to draw. So when will your next class begin? I would like to take your free course for beginners

Hello I would like to take your free course for beginners. When will your next class begin?

Hi Maggie, you can access the lessons at your own leisure. Here’s lesson 1! https://rapidfireart.com/2017/04/06/lesson-1-how-to-sketch/ At the end of that page, you can find lesson 2 and so on and so forth :)

Hey so i want to learn anatomy and i did learn some stuff but it seem’s i just can’t get that next step and my drawings just suck so bad I used youtuber name he is quite good ( draw like a sir) tutorials but it does not click 🥲

Want to learn art

Can you help me

You are so very helpful and so very generous to share your talents with the world! A thousand thanks would not be enough – I have benefitted so very much from your instruction!

so glad i found these ,, could draw as a child, couldnt for 25 years after apart from a month recently ,, had some life issues and just happened ,, drew lots of pictures im way more happy wit now than i was as i cant draw again n e more ,, found these ,, did tutorial 1, and 100 pieces of paper no less , later have 3 decentish family portraits and bobble head edition , i will send u my month could draw and a sample of my nows thanks to ur 1st tut

im looking forward to my journey. Thankyou

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15 Best Drawing Tutorials Online: The Complete List

• Last Updated: August 9, 2023

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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 April

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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Lesson 1: Lines, Ellipses and Boxes

Lines: homework.

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"!

Don't forget!

Do not grind . Complete the recommended amount of each exercise to the best of your ability and move on. You'll have ample time to keep practicing and improving your skills when doing these exercises as warmups later.

Do not rush . Give yourself the time you need to plan your lines out, to prepare appropriately, and to demonstrate your current best. Every mark is independently important. Once the ghosting method is introduced in the Ghosted Lines exercise, use it consistently for all your structural marks .

Read all of the instructions carefully , multiple times if necessary. While I've tried to organize this content in as digestible a manner as I can, there is a lot of information here and there is no way you'd absorb all of it at once.

Take breaks! One day you're going to be a beast who can draw for hours without breaking a sweat, but right now, you need to be patient with yourself and take it all one step at a time.

Homework and exercises

The homework assignment for this section is as follows:

2 filled pages of the Superimposed Lines exercise

1 filled page of the Ghosted Lines exercise

2 filled pages of the Ghosted Planes exercise

Each exercise in the list above links off to more detailed instructions on how they're done.

NOTE : These three exercises constitute just one section of this lesson. You should hold onto your homework until you're done all three sections (lines, ellipses, boxes) , and only submit for feedback once they're all done . You may feel hesitant or uncertain about whether or not you're doing things correctly - that's normal, but it's best you push past the urge to second-guess yourself. Focus on reading the instructions carefully, complete the work, and submit once all of it is complete. This will give others a solid body of work on which to base their feedback, giving you a more useful analysis of what you're doing well and what you may not understand.

All the assigned work for this section should be done in ink, using fineliners/felt tip pens as described here . In a pinch, I will accept work done in ballpoint, but only if the situation is dire. This is an exception only for this lesson as students get started.

Of course, if you're not planning on making use of the official critique program , then this is a recommendation rather than a hard requirement.

The Art of Brom

Here we're getting into the subjective - Gerald Brom is one of my favourite artists (and a pretty fantastic novelist!). That said, if I recommended art books just for the beautiful images contained therein, my list of recommendations would be miles long.

The reason this book is close to my heart is because of its introduction, where Brom goes explains in detail just how he went from being an army brat to one of the most highly respected dark fantasy artists in the world today. I believe that one's work is flavoured by their life's experiences, and discovering the roots from which other artists hail can help give one perspective on their own beginnings, and perhaps their eventual destination as well.

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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Drawing Lesson 4, Part 1 – What to Draw

Discover what to draw, video lesson description.

In this video lesson you will discover what to draw and how to draw using constructive drawing methods. This video part includes the following topics: • The importance of the constructive linear drawing, • How simple geometrical objects can be useful to draw more complex things that combine those simple objects, • And how to use a professional tonal rendering to achieve the best results.

What to Draw – Victorian Urn Drawing

When it comes to a question what to draw, you need to keep in mind that almost all objects around us can be simplified to some kind of geometrical shapes. Using such approximation a fine artist can depict very complex forms, like a human body for example. When you think what to draw, remember that the foundation of complex objects lies in their simpler forms. The knowledge and experience of drawing such simple geometrical forms is essential for any fine artist who wishes to perfect drawing skills.

In this video part you will discover what to draw and how to draw objects on example of a Victorian urn, which has quite complex geometrical shape. It is marvelously carved in marble and has a very distinct geometrical appearance.

When you’ve decided what to draw, the next step is to consider geometrical shapes of an object. Constructive drawing of this geometrical urn includes the main vertical axis, which is a virtual line that goes from the very top of the urn to its plinth; the horizontal axes, which are necessary for drawing precise ovals of rounded urn body.

What to draw next comes easy when you have main axes in place. Urn’s ellipses are based on the vertical and horizontal axes. The rules of perspective must be applied here. Making correct ovals is an essential drawing skill.

You need to be aware that the oval has rounded ends on the left and right sides. Regardless of how slim an oval is, its ends are never to be drawn with sharp points. So, there is no question what to draw – rounded edges or sharp corners when drawing a circle in perspective – always make oval sides rounded.

If you are wondering what to draw – slim ovals or rounder ones, the relationship between an oval’s proportions and its relative position to the horizon line are described in great detail in the corresponding Drawing Academy video. In brief, the further away on the drawing a circle shape from the horizon line is, the more rounded shape it has. Imagine a stack of circles with some distance between them. The one closest to the horizon line on the drawing has the slimmest shape; other ovals become more rounded the further away from the horizon line they seem.

The top lid has an “egg and dart” decoration. Such ornamental devices are sometimes also referred to as an “egg and tongue” pattern. It takes its origin back to the ancient Greek culture. It decorates the Ionic order as well as many other styles of classical architecture. The lower part of the urn’s lid is designed as a circular ‘ovolo’ moulding, with a repeating design motif of rounded egg-like shapes and triangular leafs between them.

The geometrical shapes constructive drawing needs to be done as if it is completely transparent. It is like drawing a wireframe. Such approach helps to draw all elements correctly.

When you know “How to Draw”, then “What to Draw” becomes a question of choice. With sufficient knowledge of drawing techniques you will be ale to draw anything you want.

The purpose of this drawing is to show you how quite complex marble urns with lots of details and shapes can be subdivided into smaller parts. These parts can be easily depicted one by one in a quick but precise sketch. I do not intend to finish this drawing, as its main purpose is accomplished.

Here are the main steps of this exercise: • We started with the imaginary symmetry line that goes vertically from the top of the vase to the bottom, • Then we measured and divided the vase into its main parts: the top lid, the basket and the plinth, • After that, we draw all main proportions of the vase, • The vase’s lid, the basket and the foot are round symmetrical objects, which were drawn with a number of ovals and side-edge lines, • Outlining ovals is one of the essential drawing skills you shall master, • The cuboid plinth was depicted in two-point perspective. Imaginary helping lines, like diagonals, are great guides for drawing with precision, • The whole sketch was done as a wireframe; as if the vase is completely transparent, • We draw not only what we see, but what we know, • What to draw is an easy question when you know how to draw.

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22 Ideas on What to Draw for Art Class

Taking an art class but not sure what to draw? Here we list some drawing inspirations plus tips for choosing a subject. Never run out of ideas again!

Drawing is one fantastic way to express your emotions, tell stories, or simply make people happy. And what’s beautiful about art is the endless range of possibilities of what you can create. No two pieces are ever exactly the same. And above all, making art is just plain fun!

If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to draw for art class , read on and get some tips on how to choose a good subject for drawing, plus a list of things you can draw, to grease the wheels and get you inspired.

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Ideas on What to Draw for Art Class

Not sure what to draw for art class? When it comes to drawing there are many choices, from still life images to portraits. If you’re struggling to come up with some ideas, look no further than this list! Even better, why not try drawing one of each?

1. Draw simple shapes.

If you’re new to drawing, you can practise by sketching basic forms like circles, squares, and triangles, or experimenting with different lines and textures. As you get more comfortable with your drawing skills, you can move on to creating more complex shapes and images. No matter how good or bad you think your drawings are, they all start off as scribbles and sketches that gradually transform into masterpieces over time. Just keep practising!

2. Draw abstract designs and patterns.

Building up from the first exercise, try putting shapes together into an abstract piece. What you’ll love about abstract drawing is that there are virtually no rules! Just let your imagination run wild and create something unique.

Perhaps, you can start with a small circle and then add more circles around it to make a pattern. You can choose any color or size of your liking. Drawing a circle is the first step towards creating a pattern or design that you can use for anything from art to clothes.

Straight lines are easier than curved ones because they don’t require much practice or skill; anyone can draw geometric shapes like triangles, squares, and rectangles. They’re commonly used for borders around pictures or spaces where you want something simple but professional looking.

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Drawing objects around the house

3. flowers in a vase.

The best way to tackle any kind of drawing is by breaking it down into smaller portions that are easier to handle. Rather than trying to do everything at once, focus on one aspect of the subject at a time and work your way through all the components until you’ve got something that looks right.

Start with an image of a flower. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can use a ruler to draw straight lines as guidelines for how big the petals should be, how far apart they should be from each other, and so on. Next, draw a circle around each petal line with your pencil so that you know where to start coloring in each petal with your crayons or colored pencils. Finally, colour each petal with a different colored pencil until all are filled in completely.

4. A bowl of fruit

Using a photo or an actual model, draw a simple outline of your bowl and fruits. Then fill in the details, like leaves or stems. This can be done with a light touch with your pencil or you can use a darker shading tool if you have one available. Next, add texture to your drawing by using shading or crosshatching – this is a technique where lines are drawn over each other at different angles creating small dots that blend together into one solid shade of colour.

Add color by filling in areas with solid blocks of color or by applying watercolor washes over the pencil marks you already made. Experiment with different colors until you find one that works best for your piece. You can also add some highlights to your fruit, like a white highlight on top of each grape or cherry that gives it some shine and dimensionality.

5. A cup of coffee or tea

A cup or mug is a simple object. Because it is such a recognisable item, it has a lot of details that can be drawn from memory by beginners and more advanced artists alike. Of course, you can use a real cup if you want to get the proportions right. What’s great about this subject either way is it will help you get used to drawing three-dimensional forms in perspective.

Start by sketching out the basic shape of the cup or mug and then do some shading, using crosshatching like you did with the bowl of fruit. This will create shadows and highlights on the object’s surface. Use different types of lines depending on whether they’re facing up or down in relation to the light source (vertical lines are usually darker than horizontal ones).

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6. A glass of iced tea on a hot day

Like with mugs and cups, this is another excellent example of how easy it is to start with basic shapes like circles and triangles when learning how to draw objects – in this case, your ordinary drinking glasses.

First, draw the rim of the glass and then fill in the rest with colored pencils or crayons to make the glass look frosted over. This will give your drawing depth, and you can practise different skills like shading (adding shadows), perspective (making objects appear smaller when viewed from afar), foreshortening (making objects appear bigger than they actually are), and so on. Make it interesting by drawing different types of ice cubes floating, some lemon slices or mint leaves for extra flavor (and color)!

7. Draw anything that is right in front of you

Take some time to look around the room where you’re sitting right now and see if there’s anything there that makes you curious enough to want to draw it. Maybe there’s something in the room that makes you think of something else – like a lampshade that reminds you of afternoons in your grandmother’s old parlour. Or maybe there’s something on the wall that catches your eye, like a photo frame or an artwork hanging above your desk.

Whatever it is, as long as you find it interesting enough to draw, just pick up your pencil and sketch it out, using the techniques you’ve already learned on the previous still life exercises. In fact, by now, you will have already trained your eye to look at everything as a potential drawing subject. And that’s how all great art starts!

Drawing the human figure

8. self portrait.

Drawing a self-portrait is easy enough, if you’re not trying to draw yourself with perfect proportions. Start by lightly sketching the outline of your face with a pencil, making sure not to get too detailed yet. Decide which direction your head should go (upward or downward), as well as how far away it should be from the viewer (which will affect proportions). Draw lightly so that you can erase unnecessary lines later without messing up your sketch too much.

Next, draw loose lines around the eyes, nose and mouth as guides for placement. Use them as a guide when shading in those areas so that everything is perfectly aligned with your original drawing. Then, add more details such as hair or clothing by lightly shading those areas with pencil or colored pencils.

If you want to make it more challenging, try drawing yourself from an angle that is not facing straight ahead. This will force you to draw the features from memory and not just from what you see in front of you.

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9. Portrait of your best friend

Can you capture your mate’s essence, their personality, their mood? Portraits are great because they allow you to keep practising ways to draw faces, which can be challenging for beginners. If you’re having trouble drawing faces, you can practise drawing eyes first, by making a circle then adding two round dots inside it for pupils. Soon, you’ll have mastery over this facial feature and be eager to move on to eyebrows, lips, nose, and ears.

Others find it easier to draw portraits by using a pencil and tracing paper to outline the photo they wish to draw. Try it! Once the sketch is done, you can add details like eyes, ears and other facial features as needed using circles for eyes and simple shapes for noses or lips. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect yet, just keep at it and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Even better, make it twice the fun and draw portraits of each other !

10. Portrait of someone famous.

Drawing your favorite celebrity or character from a movie or series will be easier to do if you had a photo to work from, say, from a print or an image on social media. Like with your self-portrait, start with a basic outline, pencil in the features of the face, then add details like hair or accessories, like a pair of glasses or maybe a hat.

Faces are a good way to practise drawing because they are very complicated shapes, but once you get the hang of it, you can move on to other body parts like hands or feet.

11. A pair of hands

Drawing your own hands is an excellent exercise for art class because they’re so different from each other – one might be longer than another, or have larger knuckles or fingers than another person’s. This will help you improve your ability to see objects as three-dimensional objects by drawing them in perspective with foreshortening – a method where you draw an object in depth, the same way we perceive it as it recedes into the distance.

There are so many different types of hand poses and positions that even experienced artists need time to master them all! Start off by drawing basic hand positions like fists or open palms. And then, you can move onto more difficult ones like fingers spread apart or hands gripping objects like pens or paint brushes.

12. Your parents’ wedding photo

Start with a simple sketch of the couple at the altar, then add details like flowers, candles and other wedding decorations in the background. Fill in the drawing with additional features like dad’s bow tie, buttons on his jacket, his eyes, nose, mouth, and other facial features.

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Next, do the same with mum. Draw her veil, her makeup and perfectly coiffed hair, the laces or beads on her gown, her hands clutching her wedding bouquet, and so on. A few finishing touches will make this drawing look like a professional piece of art (and a good idea for a present on their next anniversary).

Drawing living things

13. your favourite pet.

Animals of all kinds are great subjects for art, even for kiddie artists thinking of what to draw for art class. Even if you’re not an artist, you can learn how to draw animals from memory or you can do a little research on their anatomy, behavior, shapes, and characteristics to add more depth to your illustration. Or you can just use your own pet as a model… if you can ever get them to sit still, that is! (If not, you can always take pictures from all angles and use these as references.)

As with human portraits, try breaking down the drawing into simple shapes: A circle for the head, four more circles for the legs, another one for the tail, an oval shape for each paw pad, and so on. Add details like ears, eyes, nose and mouth, then refine it into its final shape as needed using shading techniques like crosshatching.

14. A bird in flight

First, draw two circles near each other. These will be the head and body of your bird. Next, draw two small rectangles inside the head circle and connect them together with curved lines to form the beak of your bird.

Now, draw two vertical lines on each side of the body, which will serve as guides for drawing the wings later on. Create two large curved lines on each side of your body as well, which will be used for drawing feathers later on.

Draw two small rectangles at the bottom end of each wing and connect them together with curved lines to form the feet of your bird. Finally, add the details and textures like feathers and claws, to make your bird drawing more realistic.

15. A mythical creature

What creature do you want to draw? It could be anything from a dragon to a unicorn. Or something outrageous right out of your imagination!

Choose your medium, like pencil or charcoal, or maybe paints or markers. Now, start sketching out the outline of the body and head in pencil so that you can see how everything is going to fit together before committing it to paper permanently. Use light lines so that they don’t show up when you color them in later on.

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Start coloring in your sketch using darker lines so that they show up better against the white paper background. Use lighter colors if possible so that your artwork doesn’t look too dark and dull when it’s finished. Finish up by adding shading effects around the edges of your creature’s body and head as well as between its legs (if it has any). This will make it look more realistic and give it more depth.

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Scenes from nature

16. an autumn leaf falling from a tree.

Autumn leaves are simple but gratifying to draw for art class because of all the beautiful colours you can have on your palette. To start, use a pencil to outline the leaf shape and draw the veins of the leaf with varying degrees of pressure. Next, fill in the outline with light lines and shading, using crosshatching strokes for the veins.

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Then, draw the veins again, but this time use hatching strokes (horizontal lines) and crosshatching strokes (vertical lines). Finally, shade in all remaining areas of your drawing using crosshatching strokes or hatching strokes. You can also add details like veins or wrinkles using dots or lines.

17. The sun setting over the ocean

Drawing a sunset is perfect for beginners, as it only requires a few simple shapes and shading, plus it’s easy to see and relaxing, as well.

Start by drawing the horizon line and then draw a circle with rays coming out of it (like a sun). Then, draw a few clouds next to it. Add some waves in the water and use colored pencils to make them appear more realistic. Draw its reflection in the water, and use colors like orange and purple to make it more beautiful. It’s a classic subject, but it’s also very beautiful. It’s probably one of the first things you learned to draw as a kid!

18. The sun, moon and stars

Drawing heavenly bodies is easy. This is a great way to learn how to draw because the shapes you need – basically, a circle and an oval – are simple and easy to replicate. The sun can be drawn as a circle with rays emanating from it, while the moon and stars can be drawn as circles with dots inside them. If you want to add some detail and make your drawing more realistic, try adding clouds in various shapes and sizes to your sky.

Places and landmarks

19. landscape of your hometown.

Places are constantly changing, growing, and morphing into new shapes. And then, there are those things that remain the same across time – the skyline, the neighborhoods, and the memories of your childhood. Look back on your favourite memories and you’ll find countless ideas of what to draw for art class.

Draw an outline first, to keep everything in proportion as well as give you something solid to work with when shading later on in the process. Add details next like rocks or trees; these will add depth and interest to your drawing. Finally, shade in areas where there are shadows or darker colors so it looks more realistic.

20. Cityscape at night

City skylines are always breathtaking to look at, but they’re especially stunning at night. Draw the sky with a dark color like black or blue. Use short strokes and make sure they are not too close together. Make sure the top of your sky goes up as high as you want it; this will help you decide how tall your buildings should be later on. Next, add stars and maybe some clouds with white chalk or pencils on top of your blue sky. You can add them anywhere you want in different sizes and numbers.

Now, draw the outline of your city using curved lines that go up and down to create hills and valleys. Then, add trees and other vegetation around the edges of your cityscape. You might add water at the bottom or along one side of your cityscape if you want it to be near water, like a shoreline. If you want, you can also add people or animals walking around in your cityscape.

21. The Eiffel Tower

The French destination is a staple in your typical paint and sip class and is not as difficult to draw for art class as you might imagine. Bet you can imagine it in your mind right now, just from seeing it so often in paintings, books, and films.

Start with a simple straight line; this will be the base of your drawing. Using that line as a guide, draw vertical lines in parallel to each other, to outline the shape of the tower. Next, add the details, like windows and railings, and once that’s done, you can fill the spaces with different shades of gray or black ink.

22. Draw something inspired by your favorite artist or art movement.

Are you a big Picasso fan? Look at some of his artwork and then try to emulate his style. Don’t copy it exactly; it’s just a good starting point if you’re not sure what to do next. Or if you’re more into impressionist paintings, try doing a few sketches that look like Monet or Manet might have done them.

If you like watercolors but don’t know what to paint, why not try making a self-portrait? That’s what Vincent van Gogh did when he was starting out as an artist. He painted his face many times before he finally completed The Potato Eaters, which is now considered one of his most famous works. Whatever kind of art inspires you, use it as inspiration for your own work!

Art is all about creativity and personal expression. If you’re feeling stuck and not sure what to draw for art class , don’t be afraid to experiment with new techniques. Finding inspiration from others can help you get started, but you should always strive to develop your own style. This will allow your confidence as an artist to grow, and that’s the true measure of artistic talent! Here are a few tips that might help.

5 Tips on How to Pick a Subject to Draw

One of the most important decisions you will make as an artist is what to draw. It can be difficult to choose a subject that is interesting. Here are a few tips to help you choose a good subject.

1. Think about what interests you.

If you’re passionate about your subject, your feelings will come through in your work. Then again, it’s also natural for an artist to get bored with a subject after a while, so try to switch things up every now and then.

Let’s say you’re working on a series of drawings, try experimenting with different techniques or mediums. Or just take time away from your canvas. Take a nice, long stroll and maybe you’ll literally get back to the drawing board with fresh, more creative ideas.

2. Choose something that is challenging.

Sure, drawing a flower or a landscape may be easier than something complex, like a person or an animal. However, many artists also believe that complex subjects can be more rewarding to draw than something that is more commonplace. This is because there is more room for detail and expression in a complex subject, and it can be more interesting to see the artist’s interpretation of it.

In addition, challenging yourself with difficult subjects can help improve your skills. Every step of the process becomes more important, you pay closer attention to the details and tend to take your time to get everything right. This level of focus is very rewarding and will make you a better artist.

3. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

It’s easy to feel comfortable in your routine, especially when it comes to art. You know what you’re good at and what you enjoy, so why try something new? But that’s the beauty of art: You can always try new things and explore new subjects for drawing.

If you’re feeling adventurous, explore a new medium or subject matter. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your style. Maybe you’ve been drawing realistically for years, but you’re curious about how anime drawings look. Give it a try! The worst that can happen is that you don’t like the results and go back to your old way of drawing. But who knows, you might find a whole new passion for a style of art that you never considered before, and that’s always exciting.

4. Be patient.

Finding inspiration to draw can be a daunting task. It may take time to find the perfect subject matter, but that’s okay! You don’t need to force yourself to draw something that doesn’t light you on fire. Just relax, take your time, and eventually something truly inspiring will come to you, like it always does!

You can also try hacks to boost your creativity , like playing certain types of music. Give it a go and see what works for you.

5. Don’t give up!

Drawing is as much muscle memory as it is artistic ability. If it’s not perfect the first time around, just keep going! Practice makes perfect, and if you keep working at it, you’ll get better and better.

Think you have to be born with natural talent in order to be good at something? That’s a complete myth. No professional athlete or musician gets good overnight; it takes them years and years of hard work and dedication. The same is true for artists.

For beginners and experienced artists alike, there is always something to inspire your creativity. Take a drawing class today and start tapping into your artistic side!

Anyone can draw. start making art today.

Still Life / Life Drawing

Self directed, free form monthly drawing session

by The Windsor Workshop

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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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Art Homework That Doesn’t Need Marking!

Even the best, most dedicated, Art Teacher can sometimes feel the marking and assessment burden. Homework and classwork mount up and it all needs marking. Here I have 15 excellent suggestions for homework tasks that still move our students forward, but don’t need marking. Many of them also lead to you having an excellent starter for your next lesson.

• Research what the letters & numbers on pencils mean.  E.g. the H and the B.
• Make a list of the items in their home that are made of ceramic.
• Collect an item to contribute towards a still life.
• Photograph or bring in an object that they will then draw in class.
• Set a homework to watch a YouTube clip that is relevant to the unit of work.
• Bring in an example picture of an artwork by an artist or movement you are studying to add to a class collage/display.

• Bring in a keyword to add to the display mentioned in number 6.  Hand drawn or word-processed in an appropriate and creative way.
• Research what drawing from a primary or secondary source is, ready to discuss.
• Research facts about an artist or movement.  All students stand at the start of class and get to sit down when they share a fact.  Each student nominates which student gives the next fact.
• Introduce ‘creative drawing’ homework where the student chooses what do draw and in what media to embrace freedom of choice and creativity.  These could be in a separate mini sketchbook or the back of their sketchbook.  These are unmarked homework tasks that encourage students to take risks and experiment without the fear of a poor grade.
• Research the difference between a line and tone drawing ready to discuss at the start of the next lesson.
• All collect a colourful disposable object (eg milk bottle top) to make a giant colour wheel in class.
• Create a Pinterest board on an artist or theme.
• Older Students 16+ go to Arty Students and look at the exemplary projects here .  Ask students to find a piece of work within a project that they like ready to discuss at the start of the following lesson.

Click on the image below to download this super-useful list as a document.

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The Arty Teacher

Sarah Crowther is The Arty Teacher. She is a high school art teacher in the North West of England. She strives to share her enthusiasm for art by providing art teachers around the globe with high-quality resources and by sharing her expertise through this blog.

4 responses to “Art Homework That Doesn’t Need Marking!”

A pleasure 🙂

This is great! Thanks. I like to get my classes to write me a short article on spiritual art for homework too and also have a honest discussion about their opinions of artwork in a gallery or museum. Another activity is to go to a park and sketch the trees. Alternatively you could have them go to a duckpond and draw ducks. Other activities include a presentation on their favourite medium to use. You could even teach a powerful moving lesson on how emotion can be actively expressed through artwork as well. Or you can ask them to decoupage a shoebox etc for homework. Examples of cool original art homework projects are animal drawing, life drawing, flower tracing, toy design, bookmaking and so on. What about writing art essays and art competitions? Paired activities are good as well for fostering a sense of teamwork in class.

There are some great ideas here. If my students do a drawing I would have to mark it. Wouldn’t you?

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