As a beginner artist, finding inspiration for what to draw can be a challenge. That’s why I’ve created this ultimate list of easy drawing ideas for beginners, complete with tips, techniques, and links to related resources to help you grow as an artist. Whether you're practicing for fun or developing your skills, these ideas will guide you step-by-step.
Why Use Easy Drawing Ideas for Beginners?
Drawing prompts are like little creative nudges—they give you a starting point when you’re staring at a blank page wondering what to draw. For beginner artists, they’re especially helpful because they provide focus and direction without feeling overwhelming. I’ve used prompts myself when I felt stuck or uninspired, and they’ve often led to some of my favorite sketches.
Here’s why I think drawing prompts are essential:
- They spark creativity. Sometimes, all it takes is a single idea to get the wheels turning. A simple prompt, like “draw a cat in space,” might seem silly, but it pushes you to think outside the box and try something new. You don’t have to wait for inspiration to strike—prompts give you that extra push.
- They build consistency. One of the best ways to improve as an artist is to draw regularly, and prompts make that easier. When you have a list of ideas ready to go, it’s so much simpler to sit down and sketch without spending half the time deciding what to draw. This consistency is what helps you develop your skills over time.
- They encourage exploration. Drawing prompts introduce you to subjects or techniques you might not have tackled otherwise. For example, if you’ve never drawn food before, a prompt like “sketch a bowl of spaghetti” could lead you to discover that you love illustrating textures and patterns.
Prompts aren’t just for beginners, either—I still use them to stretch my creativity and try new things. If you’re curious about incorporating prompts into your daily routine, I recommend checking out my article on Simple Daily Drawing Prompts. It’s full of approachable ideas to keep you drawing regularly and having fun while you’re at it!
Beginner-Friendly Drawing Ideas
Let’s explore some categories of drawing ideas that are perfect for beginners:
1. Plants and Flowers (Simplified for Beginners)

Nature is a great place to start when learning to draw because plants and flowers can be broken down into simple shapes.
Here are 10 easy, beginner-friendly ideas to get you started:
- A simple flower – Draw a circle for the center and five or six rounded petals around it.
- A leaf – Sketch an elongated oval with a line down the middle to create the vein.
- A potted plant – Draw a rectangle or oval for the pot and a few simple lines or ovals for leaves.
- A cactus – Use an oval or rectangle for the main body and add smaller oval “arms.” Don’t forget tiny lines for the spikes!
- A daisy – Start with a small circle in the center and add long, thin petals all the way around.
- A tree – Draw a simple triangle for the leaves and a rectangle underneath for the trunk.
- A mushroom – Use a semicircle for the cap and a straight line underneath for the stem.
- A vine – Draw a curvy line and add small, simple leaves along it.
- A tulip – Use an oval for the flower and a long, straight line for the stem.
- A clover – Draw three small ovals (or hearts) connected at the base for the leaves.
These simple shapes make drawing plants and flowers easy and approachable.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different styles, like Messy Drawings or Continuous Line Drawing, to make your plant sketches more dynamic.
2. Animals (Simplified for Beginners)

Drawing animals doesn’t have to be complicated! Start with easy, simple shapes to represent basic forms.
Here are 10 beginner-friendly animal drawing ideas that focus on simple shapes and minimal details:
- A sleeping cat – Start with a circle for the body, a smaller circle for the head, and curved lines for the tail wrapped around it.
- A fish – Draw an oval for the body, a triangle for the tail, and a small circle for the eye.
- A bird sitting on a branch – Use a small oval for the body, a circle for the head, and two lines for the branch.
- A turtle – Start with an oval for the shell, a smaller oval for the head, and simple lines for the legs.
- A snail – Draw a spiral for the shell and a curved line for the body. Add two tiny antennae on top.
- A butterfly – Use a circle for the body and two simple ovals on each side for the wings. Add a line down the middle for detail.
- A frog on a lily pad – Draw a circle for the body, a smaller circle for the head, and an oval underneath for the lily pad.
- A mouse – Start with a teardrop shape for the body, a circle for the ear, and a curved line for the tail.
- A dog’s face – Use a circle for the face, add two floppy oval ears, and a small triangle for the nose.
- A duck in water – Draw an oval for the body, a small circle for the head, and a straight line underneath to represent the water.
These ideas break down animals into their most basic shapes, making it easy to sketch them without getting overwhelmed.
If you’re curious about capturing movement in your sketches, read How to Draw Movement for tips on bringing life to your drawings.
3. People and Characters (Simplified for Beginners)
If you’re just starting out, drawing people doesn’t have to be complicated! You can focus on simple objects or symbols that represent people or their everyday life, making it much easier and less intimidating.
Here are 10 super beginner-friendly ideas:
- A stick figure holding an umbrella – Just draw a stick figure with a straight line for the umbrella handle and a half-circle for the top of the umbrella.
- A smiley face – Draw a simple circle and add two dots for eyes and a curved line for the mouth.
- A pair of shoes – Sketch two ovals with small lines for details like laces.
- A handprint outline – Trace your hand or draw its basic outline—no need for complicated details.
- A hat on its own – Draw a simple circle or oval for the top and a brim underneath for an easy representation of a hat.
- A T-shirt – Use basic shapes like a rectangle for the body and smaller rectangles for the sleeves.
- A pair of glasses – Two connected circles or ovals with a line across the middle to represent the frame.
- A single stick figure walking – Focus on the basic posture using straight and curved lines for legs and arms.
- A scarf hanging on a hook – Sketch a loose, wavy line looped over a simple hook or hanger.
- A simple backpack – Start with a rectangle or rounded square, and add two curved straps.
These ideas keep things simple while giving you opportunities to practice lines, shapes, and proportions in an easy, approachable way.
For tips on improving your portraits, visit Tips for Drawing People and How to Draw Face Proportions Accurately.
Pro Tip: Use techniques like Blind Contour Drawing to loosen up and have fun while practicing.
4. Food and Drinks
Food illustrations are such a fun way to explore colors, textures, and patterns. Plus, who doesn’t love drawing something delicious? It’s a great way to experiment with shading, highlights, and even storytelling (what’s the story behind that slice of cake?).
Here are 10 tasty ideas to try:
- A steaming cup of coffee with frothy details – Practice drawing steam rising and the texture of foam on top.
- A slice of cake with visible layers – Show off the textures of icing, cake layers, and any toppings like berries or sprinkles.
- A bowl of colorful fruit – Play with different shapes and patterns, like the smooth skin of an apple or the rough texture of a kiwi.
- An ice cream cone with melting drips – Focus on the soft, creamy shapes and how they contrast with the crisp cone.
- A stack of fluffy pancakes – Add details like syrup dripping down the sides or a pat of butter melting on top.
- A plate of sushi rolls – Work on symmetry and details like the seaweed wrap and the textures of rice and fish.
- A cupcake with swirled frosting – Experiment with patterns in the frosting and fun decorations like sprinkles or a cherry.
- A bowl of soup – Capture the reflections in the liquid and any garnishes like herbs or croutons floating on top.
- A sandwich with layers of fillings – Show off textures like crusty bread, crisp lettuce, or gooey cheese.
- A teapot and teacup set – Play with patterns, reflections, and the contrast between the tea and the ceramics.
Experiment with textures by checking out Easy Texture Drawing Ideas for creative ways to make your food drawings more realistic.
5. Everyday Objects
The simplest objects around you can become great subjects for practice. I’ve found that drawing everyday items is not only convenient but also a great way to sharpen your observation skills and experiment with different techniques.
Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
- A favorite mug with intricate patterns – Focus on the details like the handle shape or the design printed on it. Add some shading to show the roundness.
- A stack of books on your desk – Practice perspective and textures, like the spine details or the edges of worn pages.
- A pair of glasses reflecting light – Try capturing the transparency of the lenses and the shadows they cast.
- Your phone or tablet – Work on smooth surfaces and the reflections of light on the screen.
- A shoe or sneaker – Study the curves, laces, and textures like leather or canvas.
- A houseplant in its pot – Combine natural shapes (the leaves) with the geometric shapes of the pot for variety.
- A set of keys with a keychain – Experiment with shiny surfaces and small, intricate details.
- A watch or clock – Focus on symmetry, numbers, and the hands pointing to a specific time.
- Your favorite chair – Capture the unique angles and proportions, or try a more abstract approach.
- A jar or bottle – Practice drawing transparent objects and the way light refracts through them.
To explore more creative ideas, see Random Themes to Draw for unique prompts.
Pro Tip: Practice Analytical Drawing to break down objects into basic shapes and improve accuracy.
Techniques to Explore While Drawing

When you’re working through different prompts, it’s the perfect time to experiment with new techniques. I’ve found that trying out various approaches not only makes drawing more exciting but also helps me grow as an artist.
Here are a few techniques I recommend exploring, along with some resources to help you dive in:
- Ballpoint Pen Drawing: If you’ve never tried drawing with a ballpoint pen, it’s a game-changer. Pens force you to embrace mistakes and focus on confident, intentional lines. I’ve shared some of my favorite tips for using ballpoint pens in Drawing with Ballpoint Pen Techniques.
- Drawing on Black Paper: Switching to black paper opens up a whole new world of possibilities. It’s an amazing way to practice working with highlights instead of shadows, and the results can be super striking. You can learn more in How to Draw on Black Paper, where I break down how to make the most of this unique medium.
- Preserving Your Drawings: If you’re proud of your work (and you should be!), it’s important to make sure it lasts. Whether you’re using graphite, ink, or colored pencils, proper preservation techniques can make a huge difference. I’ve put together some practical tips in How to Preserve a Pencil Drawing to help you protect your art.
Expanding Your Drawing Skills
Once you’ve worked through some prompts and gotten comfortable with the basics, it’s time to level up your skills. I’ve found that diving into specific areas of drawing can be a game-changer for both confidence and creativity.
Here are some resources I’ve put together to help you take your art to the next level:
- Draw Like Leonardo da Vinci: For inspiration from one of the greatest artists of all time, this guide is packed with insights on how to approach drawing with curiosity and precision, just like da Vinci did.
- How to Draw Everyday: Building a consistent drawing habit is one of the most important things you can do to improve. I share practical tips for fitting drawing into your daily routine, even if you only have a few minutes to spare.
- How to Find Your Style of Drawing: Finding your unique artistic voice takes time, but it’s worth the effort. In this guide, I walk you through steps to explore different styles and techniques until something feels truly “you.”
- Drawing Versus Painting: If you’re curious about how drawing and painting compare, this article breaks down the differences and shows how each medium can complement the other. It’s a great read if you’re thinking about branching out.
Starting your drawing journey is all about exploring, experimenting, and having fun. With these prompts and resources, you’ll not only grow your skills but also find joy in the creative process.
For more inspiration, explore the full library of Drawing Tips and Guides on my site. And when you’re ready to dive deeper, check out Expressive Drawing for ways to infuse emotion into your art.
So grab your sketchbook, pick a prompt, and start drawing today—you’ve got this!