Feeling stuck in a creative rut? It happens to the best of us, but sometimes all it takes is a list of easy ideas for drawings to get your creativity flowing again. I’ve put together this guide specifically for sketchbook lovers like you—easy drawing prompts that will make your sketchbook pages come alive. Let’s dive right in and fill those blank pages!
Easy Drawing Ideas for Your Sketchbook
1. Draw Portraits of Friends and Family
One of the easiest ideas for drawings that feels meaningful is sketching the people around you. Portraits of friends and family members can be both challenging and rewarding. When drawing portraits, pay close attention to lighting—good lighting helps you see clear shadows, mid-tones, and highlights, which makes drawing the face a lot easier. Experimenting with different angles and poses can also help add variety to your sketchbook.
Want more inspiration for different drawing approaches? Check out my post on continuous line drawing—it's a great technique to use for portraiture that brings energy and flow to your work.
2. Draw Nature Scenes
Nature is full of easy drawing ideas, from trees and leaves to rivers and mountains. The next time you're outside, take a moment to observe your surroundings. Whether you’re sitting in your backyard or visiting the beach, focus on the different shapes and textures you see. I love drawing larger natural elements first—like mountains or trees—before adding details like leaves or small plants.
Speaking of nature, if you're ever at the beach and need some ideas, you might enjoy my article on drawing at the beach.
3. Draw Animals
Animals make great subjects for your sketchbook. They are versatile—whether you want to go realistic or stylized. Drawing animals helps you understand anatomy, shading, and texture, making it a fun way to practice and improve your skills.
If you’re in need of quick, easy animal drawings, start with simpler animals like birds or cats. Want to try a different approach? You could use techniques like blind contour drawing, which is really fun for capturing an animal's form in a loose and unexpected way. I’ve written more about it in this article.
4. Draw Gestures of People Out in the World
Gesture drawing is perfect for practicing movement and posture. Go to a park or a café, and quickly sketch people as they go about their day. Gesture drawing is all about capturing the essence of movement—don’t worry about details, just let your hand flow freely. It’s a great way to practice drawing people in different poses and to build your confidence.
If you’re interested in more expressive drawing techniques, I have a whole guide on drawing with expression that might help add more life to your gesture drawings.
5. Draw Still Lifes of Flowers and Objects
Still lifes are one of the classic easy ideas for drawings. Gather a few items from around your home—like a vase, some flowers, or a favorite mug—and arrange them on a table. Drawing still lifes will help you improve your understanding of perspective and shading, which is incredibly useful in building drawing skills. If you’re not sure where to start, you can also check out my drawing tutorial on easy plants to draw.
6. Draw Landscapes or Cityscapes
Landscapes and cityscapes are amazing for filling sketchbook pages because they provide endless opportunities for creativity. Look for interesting patterns and textures—from the leaves of a tree to the bricks on a building. Adding these details helps to create a more engaging drawing.
If you'd like a deeper dive into how to draw different settings, you could explore my thoughts on how to draw movement, which is helpful in adding life to your landscape drawings.
7. Draw Fantasy Creatures
Fantasy creatures are fun to draw because you get to make the rules! Combine elements from different animals to create your own unique creature—like mixing a lion and an eagle for a mythical beast. Use different hues and shades to make the creature feel vibrant and alive. There’s so much creative freedom in this exercise, making it a perfect choice if you’re looking for easy ideas for drawings that are still visually interesting.
8. Draw Abstract Art
Sometimes you just want to loosen up and draw without any pressure. Abstract art is great for this. Start with some basic shapes or random textures, then use different colors to add depth and variety. This kind of drawing can be incredibly freeing—you don’t need an exact plan, just let your pen or pencil flow wherever it wants.
If you enjoy the freedom of abstract drawing, you might want to experiment with using your non-dominant hand for even more unpredictability. It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve got more tips on it in this post.
9. Draw Human Figures
Capturing human gestures and poses is a great way to fill your sketchbook with dynamic sketches. Drawing human figures in action, like people walking or jogging, helps you get comfortable with anatomy and movement. Try using mediums like charcoal or thick markers so you can focus on capturing gestures without getting caught up in details.
If you’re interested in refining your skills further, take a look at my article on drawing styles for beginners, where I share some beginner-friendly styles that work really well for figure drawings.
10. Draw from Imagination
There are no rules when it comes to drawing from your imagination. Let your mind wander and sketch whatever pops into your head—it could be a dragon flying over a city, a futuristic car, or even a bizarre mix of patterns and shapes. The beauty of drawing from your imagination is that it’s your world, and there are no wrong answers. This kind of exercise helps you build creativity and discover new ideas for your sketchbook.
11. Use Your Sketchbook as a Visual Journal
Think of your sketchbook as a visual diary—capture moments from your day, whether it’s a quick drawing of your morning coffee or the view from your window. Using your sketchbook in this way can help you track memories, emotions, and growth over time. It’s also a perfect opportunity to combine drawing with written reflections, turning your sketchbook into something deeply personal.
Final Thoughts on Easy Ideas for Drawings
Whether you’re drawing portraits, experimenting with abstract art, or filling your pages with nature-inspired sketches, the key is to keep it simple and enjoyable. These easy ideas for drawings are meant to help you stay inspired and keep your sketchbook pages lively. Drawing is all about practice, exploration, and having fun—so grab your sketchbook, pick an idea, and start drawing!
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, you might also enjoy my guide on simple daily drawing prompts, which offers lots of fun and easy suggestions to keep your creativity flowing.