When I first started learning how to draw a scene, I thought it was going to be all about perfect perspective and tons of tiny details. I’d see beautiful sketches in books or online, and I'd immediately assume they were made by someone way more talented than me. But the more I practiced, the more I realized that the scenes I loved most weren't about precision—they were about feeling. They had energy, looseness, a real sense of “being there.” I learned to focus on drawing what I actually saw, capturing the big shapes first, and letting the little imperfections tell the story.
Over time, I built my own method for approaching scenes—one that’s observational, expressive, and forgiving. In this post, I'll walk you through exactly how I do it, including mistakes I’ve made, breakthroughs I’ve had, and simple things you can try next time you open your sketchbook. If you want even more ideas for practicing this style, check out sketching scenes and nature journaling for ways to build your observational skills.
How to Draw a Scene: Start with Big Shapes
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was jumping into details too fast. I would start with a tree branch, a window, or a rock—and by the time I stepped back, the whole thing looked warped. It took me a long time to understand that if the foundation of the drawing isn't right, the details won't save it. Now, whenever I sit down to draw a scene, I spend the first few minutes just mapping out the big shapes.
Here's how I do it:
- Squint your eyes. Seriously, just blur your vision a little. This helps you ignore the small stuff and see the major shapes of dark and light.
- Identify 3-5 major masses. For example, if I'm drawing a park, it might be a patch of sky, a big tree, a shadowy path, and a picnic table.
- Block in very loosely. I use a light pencil or even a ballpoint pen sometimes, knowing that my first lines are just scaffolding.
If you skip this step, everything else becomes harder. This method is a huge part of how I teach in my online sketching courses and drawing boot camp.
Key Points
- Start with big shapes, not details: Squint and look for the largest areas of value or mass first.
- Embrace imperfection: Let expressive, messy lines tell the story instead of chasing perfect outlines.
- Draw what you see, not what you think is there: Trust your eyes more than your brain's idea of how things “should” look.
Sketching Loose and Expressive Lines
After blocking in the major shapes, I move on to one of my favorite parts: letting the lines fly.
I like to keep my hand relaxed, almost like I'm doodling. I don't try to “finish” anything in the first pass. Instead, I just feel my way through the scene.
Here are a few little tricks that make a big difference for me:
- Hold your pencil loosely: Instead of gripping it near the tip, try holding it further back. It naturally makes your lines more dynamic.
- Move your whole arm: Don’t just draw from your wrist. Bigger movements help create flow.
- Allow multiple lines: Instead of trying to “get it right” on the first stroke, I often sketch several overlapping lines. It gives the drawing life.
Sometimes, I even deliberately “mess up” a little—like letting a roofline slant slightly or letting a tree lean—because these imperfections can add character.
If you want to get even more comfortable with this idea, you might enjoy diving into expressive drawing approaches.
Building Depth and Layers
Once the basic structure and loose lines are in place, I start thinking about depth. How can I suggest that some things are closer, and others are farther away?
I don’t get super technical about it—no complicated vanishing points or formal perspective grids (unless I'm in the mood, like when practicing vanishing point in art). Instead, I rely on a few simple observations:
- Overlapping: Closer objects overlap farther ones.
- Contrast: Higher contrast (dark next to light) tends to pull objects forward.
- Line weight: Thicker, darker lines feel closer; lighter lines feel farther.
Sometimes I exaggerate these a bit. I'll press harder on a tree branch that's closer to me, and sketch barely-there outlines for mountains in the distance. In urban scenes, I love layering buildings and hinting at busy backgrounds without outlining every single window—similar to how I approach urban sketching.
If you're looking for more background ideas, my post on background in art dives deeper into how to approach this part of your drawing.
Tips for Staying Observational
Staying true to what you see rather than what you think you see is such a game-changer. When I started drawing scenes, my brain wanted to take shortcuts. I'd draw a “generic” tree instead of really looking at the particular tree in front of me.
Here’s what helps me stay honest:
- Keep checking angles: Hold your pencil up to measure the tilt of a roof, the slope of a hill, or the lean of a tree.
- Notice negative spaces: Look at the shapes between objects, not just the objects themselves.
- Question your assumptions: If you find yourself drawing a “symbol” of something (like a heart-shaped leaf), pause and double-check the real shape.
I’ve found that even a few minutes of truly looking can change the entire quality of my sketch. If you want more help developing this muscle, my sketchbook tips for beginners are full of practical exercises.
Choosing Scenes to Practice On
A big breakthrough for me was realizing I didn’t need some “perfect” scene to get better at drawing. Honestly, I’ve done some of my favorite sketches sitting in a random parking lot or at my kitchen table. Every scene has something worth drawing—it’s just a matter of seeing it.
If you’re not sure what to tackle, here are a few ideas:
- Look for simple compositions: A single tree against the sky. A chair next to a window. Keep it manageable.
- Pick scenes with big shapes: Easier to block in and build confidence.
- Practice seasonal scenes: I love using September drawing prompts or December drawing themes to give myself a fresh challenge.
If you want even more ideas, I put together a bunch of topics for drawing and random themes to draw that are perfect for scenes.
Letting Your Style Show Up
When you're drawing scenes—especially loosely and expressively—your own style has a chance to shine through. I spent a long time worrying that I didn’t have a “real style.” But it turns out that style isn't something you choose; it's something that emerges as you draw more.
For me, I noticed that I like bold, energetic lines, slightly tilted perspectives, and a little bit of “messiness” that makes the scene feel alive. And the more I leaned into that, the more natural my sketches felt.
If you're curious about how to nurture your own style, you might enjoy how to find your drawing style and how to find your artistic style.
You can also explore creative approaches to drawing if you’re looking to break out of any ruts.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to draw a scene isn’t about mastering a bunch of rigid techniques. It’s about learning to see better, being willing to make “mistakes,” and letting your hand follow your eye in an honest way. When you focus on big shapes, embrace expressive lines, and stay truly observational, every sketch becomes a new adventure.
If you're ready to keep building your skills, you might like digging into some simple daily drawing prompts or checking out my ideas for landscape sketching.
Whatever you do, just keep drawing—messy lines, imperfect shapes, and all. It's the best way I know to stay connected to creativity and keep growing as an artist.