Simple Daily Drawing Prompts

A few years ago, I was stuck in that rut where I kept telling myself I wanted to draw more, but I never actually sat down to do it. I’d start the week with good intentions, open my sketchbook, and then stare at the blank page not knowing what to draw. That’s when I started using simple daily drawing prompts. Nothing complicated or overwhelming—just small nudges that helped me actually enjoy the process.

Over time, this became one of the most grounding habits in my day. Whether you’re trying to build a creative routine, get past perfectionism, or simply enjoy your sketchbook again, these prompts can be a game-changer.

If you're looking for simple daily drawing prompts that feel fun, doable, and flexible, I've put together ideas and strategies here that have worked well for me and for many artists who follow my work.

Simple Daily Drawing Prompts That Actually Work

The biggest mistake I used to make was thinking I needed a big idea before I could start. But small, simple ideas are usually the ones that get you drawing consistently. Here are some approaches and examples I’ve used over the years to keep my sketchbook alive and well.

Key Points

• Keep prompts short and open-ended so you can riff off them in any direction.
• Use prompts to explore how you draw, not just what you draw—like drawing with your non-dominant hand or experimenting with expressive mark-making.
• Build in low-pressure days so your sketchbook becomes a place of joy, not a checklist.

Prompt Ideas for Easy Daily Wins

These ideas are designed to feel like a small nudge, not a chore. Some you can do in five minutes. Others might lead you down an unexpected rabbit hole. That’s the fun of it.

Weekly Themes

Try assigning a loose theme to each week. For example:

• Monday: Draw something from your desk
• Tuesday: Sketch a quick landscape (or try these ideas)
• Wednesday: Draw a memory from yesterday
• Thursday: Focus on line quality (like this)
• Friday: Try drawing on black paper
• Saturday: Draw with ballpoint pen
• Sunday: Fill the page with implied shapes or pattern doodles

You can swap days around, or use this just as a starting point to create your own rhythm.

Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt

This one’s great if you need a quick idea:

• Something with wings
• Something cracked or broken
• A tool or object you use every day
• A made-up creature combining two real animals (maybe inspired by wildlife sketching)
• Something that represents how you feel today

I’ve also pulled together a big list of easy things to draw when you’re bored if you need a longer menu.

Repetition as Exploration

Sometimes I’ll draw the same object every day for a week. A shoe. A plant. My cat. But I change how I draw it:

• Try outlining it only
• Use only five lines
• Draw it from memory
• Make it abstract
• Add an unexpected background (like this)

This kind of repetition is what helped me stop chasing perfection and start enjoying the process more.

Making It Stick as a Daily Habit

Once I simplified the process and made it enjoyable, the habit stuck. What really helped was shifting away from perfectionism and setting up small, sustainable systems that made drawing part of my daily rhythm—even when I didn’t feel inspired.

Keep Your Tools Ready

I learned that just seeing my sketchbook every day made it more likely I’d use it. So I leave it open on my desk like an invitation. I also keep a small, portable pouch with a few favorite tools—an Ebony pencil, a ballpoint pen, a white gel pen, and a brush pen. That way, I’m never wasting time digging through drawers or second-guessing my materials.

Make It Stupid Easy

If drawing feels like a huge task, you’ll skip it. I started telling myself, “You only need to draw for one minute.” Sometimes that’s all I did. Other times, that one minute turned into twenty. It removes the pressure and keeps the door open. You don’t need inspiration—just a mark on the page. If you're tired or overwhelmed, try these easy ideas to make drawing feel doable again.

Set a Weekly Check-In

This was a game-changer. Every Sunday, I spend a few minutes flipping through the week’s drawings. I don’t critique or grade myself—I just observe. What felt good? What surprised me? Is there something I want to keep exploring? This tiny reflection helps me stay connected to the process, and it fuels new ideas for the week ahead. It also reminds me that this isn’t about making perfect art—it’s about noticing, experimenting, and enjoying the act of drawing itself.

Experiment with Materials and Surfaces

Switching up materials now and then keeps things interesting. I don’t buy a lot of fancy stuff, but even a small change can lead to unexpected fun. These small shifts can open new creative doors, get you out of a rut, or just make the act of drawing feel fresh again.

• Try sketching on rice paper — It’s delicate, slightly translucent, and has a unique texture that challenges your usual linework and brush control. It’s a fun way to get out of autopilot.
• Prep a few pages with gesso for texture — Adding gesso gives your surface some grit. It makes even cheap paper feel more substantial and opens up the possibility for mixed media, layering, and bold mark-making.
• Use painter’s tape (here’s what I recommend) to create clean borders — This instantly frames your drawings, helps your pages look more intentional, and makes the act of peeling the tape feel like a tiny reward.

The idea is to create a space where experimentation feels encouraged and mistakes are part of the fun. These tweaks aren’t about being fancy—they’re about shaking things up just enough to keep your curiosity alive.

When You Feel Stuck, Change the Rules

If you’re feeling burned out or stuck, try these creative resets:

• Start a sketchbook challenge — Pick a theme or follow a list of prompts for a set number of days. It adds structure and motivation, especially when you’re low on ideas.
• Draw something messy on purpose (like this) — Let go of the need to make something pretty. Scribble, smudge, overlap lines. It’s a great way to reconnect with playfulness and loosen up.
• Make marks with your eyes closed — Remove visual control and just feel the motion of your hand. This can reveal unexpected gestures and loosen your grip on perfectionism.
• Only draw using one continuous line — Keep your pen or pencil on the paper the whole time. This builds focus and flow, and forces you to simplify what you see.
• Copy a masterwork—try to draw like Leonardo da Vinci — Recreate a drawing by a master to study their decisions, line work, and structure. It’s one of the fastest ways to learn by doing.

These aren’t cheats—they’re reminders that drawing can be playful. When you remove the pressure to produce something finished or polished, you give yourself space to grow.

More Prompt Collections and Tips

If you’re still looking for ideas, check out:

• Sketchbook theme ideas — A curated list of thoughtful sketchbook topics that can span a week, a month, or an entire sketchbook. Great if you want structure without rigidity.
• Random themes to draw — A huge mix of unexpected prompts you can pull from when you're stuck or need something spontaneous to kick off a session.
• Things to fill your sketchbook with — Ideas beyond just drawing: textures, notes, collages, experiments. Ideal for artists who want to make their sketchbook a creative playground.

Or browse my full archive of drawing resources for ideas on composition, perspective, and materials.