Drawing is more than just doodling on a sketchbook. It constitutes a visual art form, serving as a means to convey emotions and freeze moments in time. Moreover, drawing finds application in diverse fields, including commercial animation, illustration, architecture, and engineering.
There are several psychological and physical benefits of drawing (if you practice it daily), such as –
- It can sharpen your mind through imagination and thinking.
- It helps you concentrate and observe things in detail.
- It allows you to relax your muscles if you are stressed.
- It instigates the development of emotional intelligence and problem-solving.
- It can help you break free from personal limitations like shyness and autism.
While we may not be able to teach you how to draw, we can inspire you by showing some incredible illustrations created by adventurers like yourself.
We present several exciting things to draw to explore your creative mind. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking for fresh challenges or someone who hasn’t picked up a pencil in years, this article is for you.
It includes contemporary and traditional drawings as well as freehand sketches — all meant to encourage you to take on artistic endeavors. Our goal is to ignite your creative flame and give you the direction you need to put your ideas into action.
Table of Contents
37. Colorful Nature
Source: Deviantart / jucexc
Let’s begin with something simple yet captivating. A sunset scene is a recurring motif in art and a beloved subject in photography. This one represents vacation and relaxation, and it certainly catches the eye of art fans.
36. Stick Figure
Even though stick figures are incredibly basic and constructed from just a few dots, lines, and curves, don’t underestimate how fun they can be. You can shape them into whatever you want without focusing on details.
35. Mother Earth
Source:istockphoto
There are a zillion different ways to draw Earth. The above picture emphasizes the message ‘Go Green.’ You can enhance its impact by incorporating elements like water and other distinct features of nature.
34. Musical Instruments
You can draw various musical tools and devices like flutes, drums, trumpets, violins, pianos, and guitars. These instruments offer a range of shapes, textures, and details, making them excellent subjects for artistic exploration.
33. Post-Apocalyptic Worlds
The ‘Post-Apocalyptic World’ is an interesting and evocative theme for drawing. It involves portraying the aftermath of a catastrophic event that has transformed our world.
In these drawings, you may include elements like barren landscapes, dilapidated buildings, abandoned vehicles, survivors in protective gear, or signs of a struggling civilization. You can also incorporate dramatic weather lighting effects to evoke a sense of desolation, despair, and the relentless struggle for survival.
32. Festive Holidays
Drawing holiday-related imagery can be a fun way to capture the spirit of special days. Whether it’s carving a pumpkin for Halloween, lighting lanterns for Diwali, decorating a Christmas tree, crafting Valentine’s Day cards, or sketching fireworks for New Year’s Eve, there are countless opportunities to celebrate holidays through your artwork.
31. Zodiac Signs
These are a set of astrological symbols that represent the 12 different signs of the zodiac. Each sign is associated with specific personality traits and characteristics. You can create artistic interpretations of these symbols, merging them with elements that symbolize the corresponding zodiac traits, constellations, or celestial themes.
30. Animals
A German Shepherd that looks realistic and anatomically correct
Begin with a simple outline and try to record the main features of whatever is on your mind. For instance, if you want to draw a dog, observe quick sketches and move on to drawing the skeleton, muscles, and fur.
29. Imaginary Character
Try to create your own character and his/her signature hairstyle, eye details, and distinctive personality. If you write fiction, try drawing character(s) in a scene from one of your stories. Once you start practicing, you will learn things you never knew.
28. Line Sketch Drawing
Frida Kahlo by LazzzyV / Deviantart
Line art comprises clear, straight or curved lines set against a light, colorless background to depict 2D or 3D objects. Despite its monochromatic nature, you can introduce lines of various colors to achieve a unique visual effect.
27. Cars and Trains
2008 Shelby Gt500 Muscle Car by Stephen Rooks
Drawing your dream car can be a lot of fun, and it’s not as hard as you may think. One key to successfully drawing any machine is to dissect it into its individual components.
26. Modern Calligraphy
Source: Instagram / Betype
Modern calligraphy differs significantly from traditional calligraphy. It does not adhere to the strict structural guidelines of traditional scripts like blackletters and copperplate. If you’re a beginner, you can start practicing with a brush pen.
Read: 60 Beautiful Typography Examples For Your Inspiration
25. Waves and Clouds
Graphite pencil drawing
There is something captivating about power waves and the people that conquer them. Although it sounds easy, drawing perfect waves or clouds requires close attention to details.
How To Draw Clouds for Beginners – Easy step-by-step drawing tutorial.#pencildrawing #tutorial #easy #stepbystep #art #drawing #realism #realistic #pencilart #howtodraw #clouds https://t.co/I1v6qujo7K pic.twitter.com/l3RQv9CvAD
— RealisticPencilDrawing.com ✍️ (@DrawRealistic) July 13, 2023
24. Butterflies and Bugs
Butterflies (and some uniquely fascinating bugs) make excellent subjects for drawing. You can follow certain rules to draw a realistic-looking butterfly without any special sketching skills.
23. Cosmos
Credit: lockscreenaesthetics.tumblr.com
Would you like to draw a part of our Universe? Doing so is as easy as a gentle nighttime breeze with the help of this step-by-step guide.
22. A Human Face
A Geek Girl by Denny Stoekenbroek / Saatchi Art
Mastering the art of sketching a face accurately is a significant stride toward becoming a skilled artist. The face serves as the central focal point in a painting, conveying the mood and emotions being portrayed.
21. Trees, Flowers, and Fruits
These are other common drawing subjects for beginner artists and experienced artists alike. Before you begin, it’s a good practice to visualize how much space you’ll utilize. Start with light sketches initially, as you may need to make adjustments or erase some initial lines as you progress with the drawing.
Year 8 were developing their colour mixing skills through observational painting. Ditched the paintbrushes, and only using cocktail sticks as a tool for applying colour as part of @The_Big_Draw @HELPISKL pic.twitter.com/263uGSwTbP
— Gemma Jessop (@JessopGemma) October 10, 2023
20. Random Doodle
Some may say doodling is kid stuff, but the truth is it keeps you focused and gives you rare insights into your own psyche. Doodling places your mental state in the realm between awareness and daydreaming, making it conducive to generating fresh, creative ideas.
19. Alien
Aliens are frequent denizens of science fiction, from Star Wars and Star Trek to Toy Story. In the 1960s, these mythical creatures began to be referred to as ‘little green men.’ If you like to draw your own little green men, there is a step-by-step tutorial to help.
18. Homes and Buildings
Credit: Mary Coons
Have you ever aspired to be a renowned architect? Just grab a pencil and put your imagination on paper. When tackling intricate designs, it’s essential to meticulously analyze every minute detail of the building.
17. City Skyline
A city possesses its own distinctive and remarkable landscapes, especially when it comes to life at night. When contemplating a cityscape drawing, aim to capture the dynamic energy of an urban environment after dark. Begin with a simple framework, introduce depth and scale, and then incorporate architectural elements, such as the intersecting vertical and horizontal lines, to depict windows on the sides of the buildings.
16. Robot
Image credit: James Royal-Lawson / Flickr
You can draw a simple humanoid robot within a minute. There is no need to sketch the wireframe to represent the robot’s figure and pose. Just make a semicircular face and a rectangular body. Add two circles for eyes, a small colored rectangle for a mouth, two lines for legs, and two triangles for feet. For a futuristic touch, you can also give your robot some unique ears and an antenna.
15. Bridge
First, you need to decide what kind of bridge you want to draw. The above image is a watercolor drawing of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. If you find it difficult, start with a simple arch bridge with one support (pillar) at each end.
14. Diamond
Drawing diamonds can be a delightful task. Despite their intricate appearance, they are surprisingly straightforward to depict on paper. All it takes is sketching some triangles and connecting a few straight lines in a specific manner. For an extra touch, you can introduce varying shades of color to give your 2D image the illusion of a 3D diamond.
13. Rainbow
One of the oldest ways to draw a rainbow is to start from the top and go down in order ROY G BIV, where R=red, O=orange, y=yellow, G=green, B=blue, I=indigo, and V=violet. Instead of drawing a simple rainbow, I recommend you to get creative and make rainbow-inspired art.
12. Camera
Light painting by Kassy / Sketchport
Drawing a retro-style camera would be great fun for anyone who is a photography nut. If you want to keep it simple, sketch out the main outlines of the camera body, and then draw lenses using clear and smooth lines. You can also add controls at the top and front of the camera. And don’t forget to add shadows to make it look more realistic.
11. Star Constellation
Constellations are regions in the sky in which a group of visible stars forms a perceived pattern, typically representing a mythological creation, an animal, or an inanimate object. The International Astronomical Union recognizes a total of 88 constellations, but you can follow your imagination to draw any pattern.
10. Abstract Art
Abstract art is created by abstracting the basic and most recognizable aspects of real-life objects and creating a simplified representation of them. Abstract shapes are mostly used in graphic design because they hold special meaning.
9. Rockets and Spaceships
Deviantart / By hunterkil*er
If you have a passion for space exploration and sci-fi, and the idea of colossal battleships, enormous space stations, and futuristic, exotic-looking rockets sparks your imagination, grab your paintbrush and design your own unique space machine.
8. Tattoo Design
Credit: Instagram / thedrowntown
Tattoos are a remarkable art form, a means of personal expression, and a lasting memento. They often hold profound significance, representing one’s beliefs and values. With an endless array of tattoo designs to choose from, simply pick one that resonates with you and begin sketching.
7. An Astronaut
Credit: Felipe Vargas
Space research continues to capture the imaginations of people of all ages, and astronauts are held in high esteem. Drawing an astronaut may seem daunting, but it’s a manageable process as long as you take your time and don’t rush through it.
6. Drawings with Depth and Symbolism
Some drawings reveal the true face of our world through simple stories. Sketch something that represents people’s lives and conveys a profound message.
5. Fantasyland
Sketch for Falkenstein Castle by Christian Jank
We all daydream in different ways in which we create our own fantasy. Personally, I always envisage castles and dragons together in a mystical land. What do you see in your mind when you daydream?
4. 3D Art
Credit: HuskMitNavn
By 3D art, we mean a drawing that is perceived to have width, height, and depth. When done properly, it can be super impressive. In fact, some brands hire 3D artists for street marketing and promotion to attract passersby’s attention.
Read: 40+ Excellent Examples of 3D Art for Your Inspiration
3. Pop Art
Characterized by bold and colorful artwork, Pop Art incorporates several design elements, including different styles of street art, collage, painting, and sculpture.
2. Superhero or Comic Character
Credit: Faisal Alsalahy
Superheroes have become a huge part of worldwide culture thanks to a parade of blockbuster movies, TV shows, and comic books. With a little help (of coloring books or online tutorials), anyone can learn to draw these caped crusaders.
1. Clever Sketch Using Everyday Objects
Credit: Christoph Niemann
You can integrate everyday objects — like household tools, cutlery, fruits, etc. — as the centerpiece and build your artwork around them in a way that the item becomes an integral part of the overall sketch.
More To Know
How do I overcome artist’s block when I can’t think of what to draw?
Overcoming creative block is something that every artist faces at some point. There are several effective ways to get past artist’s block:
- Change your environment — Simply going for a walk in nature or visiting a museum can spark new ideas.
- Sketch aimlessly — Creating random shapes or scribbling may lead to unexpected inspiration.
- Look for inspiration in the ordinary — Pay attention to everyday objects, people, nature, or mundane scenes.
- Experiment with different media — Trying new art materials or techniques can rekindle your creativity.
- Explore art history — Analyze the works of famous artists from different periods and styles.
Tips for Improving Drawing Skills
While every artist has a unique path, following tips can enhance your artistic journey.
- Dedicate time each day or week to draw
- Start with basic techniques such as lines, shapes, and shading
- Use real-life objects or scenery as a reference
- Learn from others by analyzing their techniques, styles, and use of color
- Share your artwork on join art communities and forums for constructive criticism
- Tackly drawing styles you’re less comfortable with
- Familiarize yourself with simple online drawing tools and graphic design software
The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Keep a growth mindset along the way, believing that your skills can improve with hard work and commitment.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when drawing?
When drawing, common mistakes to avoid include
- not paying attention to proportions and perspective
- neglecting light and shadow
- skipping the planning and sketching stage
- adding too many details too soon
- using low-quality materials
- Relying too heavily on erasing rather than refining your lines
- Neglecting to regularly step back and assess your work from a distance
By steering clear of these mistakes, you can enhance your drawing skills and produce artwork that is not only precise but also visually captivating.
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This was SUCH a big help in defeating the blank page for me! I loved the image for the oc so I made my own! Thanks so much ☺
Art Person
thanks for this we have gained more skills
Well I thought it would give me ideas but it just showed me drawings :/
AMAZING ART!!! Could you possibly post some drawing tips for me pls? It would be amazing!
-thanks from Elissa Lockwood!