11 Easy ideas for drawing in your sketchbook

I've compiled a list of easy ideas for drawing to help you get out of a drawing rut if you're in one.

Draw inspiration from ideas on what to draw to make your sketchbook more interesting.

Follow the art topics to draw will help you fill your sketchbooks fast.

1. Draw portraits of friends and family

Simply sitting down and starting to sketch a portrait without any prior experience or guidance will be challenging.

If you're serious about wanting to create beautiful portraits of your friends and family members, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. 

One important factor is lighting.

You'll want to make sure that your subject is lit so that they have nice shadows, mid-tones, and highlights.

This will make them way easier to draw because you'll have more shapes created by light and shadow to observe.

Another thing to consider is angles.

2. Draw nature scenes

The first step is to choose the scene that you want to draw.

Pick somewhere that has lots of different colors and textures. This could be a forest, beach, or even your backyard.

Once you have chosen your scene, take a look around and make some mental notes about what you see.

Look for interesting shapes in the trees, rocks, and leaves.

Once you have taken in all of the details of your chosen scene, it's time to start sketching.

Begin by drawing the larger shapes of the landscape.

Then start adding in the details such as animals, plants, and trees.

As you're sketching, try to focus on the textures and colors of the environment.

3. Draw animals

There are a few reasons why it's a good idea to draw animals in your sketchbook.

First, animals are a great way to practice drawing realistically.

Second, animals are a great subject matter for experimenting with different mediums and techniques.

Third, animals are just really fun to draw.

So, if you're looking for some art topics to draw in your sketchbook, consider drawing animals.

You'll be able to improve your skills and have a lot of fun in the process. 

Why you should draw animals

Animals are a great subject to practice with if you're trying to improve your drawing skills.

They can be challenging to draw realistically, but that's part of the appeal.

By studying how animals are put together and practicing how to reproduce those details on paper, you can hone your skills and learn new things about drawing along the way.

In addition, because animals come in all shapes and sizes, you can also use them to experiment with different mediums and techniques.

For example, you could try out watercolors on a small animal like a bird or mammal, then graduate to oil paints for a large animal like an elephant or rhinoceros.

4. Draw gestures of people out in the world

Drawing people can be tricky. But with a little practice, you can learn how to draw gestures of people out in the world. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

1. Start by studying the human form.

Familiarize yourself with the structure of the body and how it moves. This will help you understand how to draw people in their natural settings.

2. Pay attention to your surroundings.

When you're out and about, take notice of the way people are standing or sitting. Observe their posture and how they interact with their environment. This will give you a good foundation for your drawings.

3. Practice, practice, practice!

The more you draw, the better you'll get at it. So don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. With enough practice, you'll be able to capture those fleeting moments of everyday life on paper. 

4. Take a looks at artists who specialize in drawing people in their natural settings.

Study their work and see how they use line and color to create a sense of place and atmosphere. Then see if you can incorporate some of their techniques into your work. 

5. Make it your own.

In the end, it's important to develop your style and approach to drawing people. 

5. Draw still lifes of flowers and objects

Still lifes are a great art topic to draw in your sketchbook for a few reasons.

First, they're relatively easy to set up. All you need is a vase and some flowers or a few objects from around your house.

Second, still lifes are great for practicing drawing with perspective. 

Also check out my drawing tutorial on 5 easy plants to draw.

6. Draw landscapes or cityscapes

Landscapes and cityscapes are amazing opportunities to get lost in your drawings.

They provide so much opportunity for creativity and realism.

If you want to up your game when it comes to drawing landscapes or cityscapes, here are a few tips.

When you're looking at a landscape or cityscape, take note of the different patterns and textures that you see.

The patterns can be in the buildings, trees, sidewalks, etc.

And the textures can be in the sky, water, leaves, etc.

Adding these details to your drawing will help add realism and make your drawing more interesting.

7. Draw fantasy creatures

Fantasy creatures are a great subject matter to draw in your sketchbook for several reasons.

They are often quite vibrant and aesthetically pleasing, and since they are frequently quite intricate, drawing them gives you a chance to practice your skills.

There is no one perfect way to draw fantasy creatures, but there are a few pointers to consider. 

Start by drawing the creature's fundamental form 

One of the most important things to do when drawing a fantasy creature is to start with its fundamental form.

This doesn't have to be perfect – you can always add details like eyes and horns later.

But getting the basic shape down will help you immensely as you move forward with your drawing.

To create an original creature out of two or three unlike animals, combine them together. 

A great way to create an original fantasy creature is to combine two or three different animals.

This could be anything from a lion and an eagle to a dragon and a horse.

Add variety by using different Hues 

Another great tip for drawing fantasy creatures is to add variety by using different hues.

This will help add interest and depth to your drawing. Experiment with different color combinations until you find something that you like! 

8. Draw abstract art

Abstract art is a great art topic to draw in your sketchbook for a few reasons.

First, abstract art is usually very colorful and visually interesting.

It can be a quick and easy way to break the ice with your sketchbook and start generating new ideas.

Here are a few tips for drawing abstract art:

• Start by sketching out the basic shapes or textures.
• Use different colors to add variety.

Practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first few abstract drawings aren't exactly what you envisioned.

It helps to not have an exact vision when you're drawing abstractly.

Instead, have a more stream-of-consciousness approach when you draw abstractly.

9. Draw human figures

One of the main challenges of drawing human figures is capturing the likeness of the person.

This can be especially difficult if you're not used to drawing people.

But, with a little practice, you'll be able to capture gestural portraits of people in your sketchbook.

To improve your skills, try practicing with different poses and drawing people in action (in the real world).

You can also try using different mediums, such as charcoal or pastels or thicker markers, to make it so you aren't too focused on drawing the details.

This way you are drawing the quick gesture and movement of the humans you're looking at.

10. Draw from imagination

An advantage of drawing from your imagination is that there are no rules.

You may draw anything you want, and there are no wrong answers.

This can be a wonderful method to fill your sketchbook with fresh ideas and concepts for further study in a hurry.

Plus, it's a lot of fun to let your imagination run wild while you're drawing.

Start by making a list of things you'd like to learn more about.

Then start sketching out some quick ideas for each topic.

11. Use your sketchbook as a visual journal

There are a few reasons why documenting your life in your sketchbook can be beneficial.

First, it can help you keep track of your memories and experiences.

This can be helpful if you ever want to look back on them later.

Second, it can help you process your thoughts and emotions.

Often we don't take the time to process our emotions, but if you're documenting your life in your sketchbook it can give you a chance to do that.

Third, it can be a great way to document your growth and progress over time.

If you look back on old sketchbooks, you'll likely be surprised at how much you've changed.