With just a pencil and a bit of paper, you could create anything at all! But with so much possibility, it’s easy to get stuck before you even start. What in the world should you draw? We’ve come to the rescue!
Just answer these quick questions about your art and your vibes, and we’ll suggest a subject for your next masterpiece.
Questions Overview
- Total beginner!
- I know a thing or two.
- I'm pretty good!
- Kind of a master, to be honest.
- I want some practice.
- I want to create something beautiful to look at.
- I want to explore my own imagination.
- I just want to have fun!
- People
- Places
- Things
- Fantasy.
- Real life.
- I don't care.
- Totally!
- Not really.
- I could take 'em or leave 'em.
- Energized and ready to tackle anything!
- Sort of low-energy. Lazy.
- Sad or moody. There's a stormcloud over my head.
- Nervous or on-edge. Stressed.
More Quizzes
Don’t just draw what you think you “should” be drawing, either—draw whatever makes you happy! Doodle, scribble, make shapes on scrap pieces of paper, spy on people in the park and try to draw them as they talk, eat or sunbathe. Make drawing fun, otherwise, you will quit if it feels like a chore.
I would also advise you to draw something every day and take your time to really study how things actually are. One challenging thing about drawing can be to draw things as they actually are rather than how we think they are. That might sound silly, but learning to draw is really about learning to see .
Study something each day and draw it until you can get it as close as you can to the thing you are looking at. It can be helpful to spend time doing blind contour drawings every single day and go slowly when observing what it is you are drawing. Do not worry about the results of the drawing— this is training your eye to slow down and to work in tandem with your hand. This is a very good way to sharpen your observation skills.
Use a mirror when drawing and every once in a while stop and look at your drawing and the thing you are drawing both in the mirror. Leonardo DaVinci did this and recommended it and it really works to see your drawing in a new way and mistakes jump out at you quickly.
- Go for a walk and stop when you see something you want to draw
- Look around your room or house and draw something near you
- Use a random word generator to get inspiration
- Put your playlist on shuffle and get inspiration from the song that plays
- Draw your favorite character or a character from a show/movie/game that you like
- Draw one of your OCs or create a new one
- Open Instagram and use another artist's work as a reference
- Go back to basics and sketch shapes
- Practice your anatomy. Try standing in front of a mirror and using yourself as a reference
- Scroll through your camera roll until you see a pic you want to sketch
- Redraw an old sketch
- Turn your reference upside down so you focus on drawing what's in front of you
- Make random scribbles on your paper and make them into a drawing
- Look up "drawing challenges" and pick one that looks interesting to you
drawing guide<\/a><\/b> to get started.
Drawing houses and other buildings is a great way to practice geometry and perspective.<\/b> It also helps stretch your imagination and come up with a cool story. Don't just draw any old house, but find a way to make it strange or different, the kind of house you see on a walk and go, \"Who in the world owns that place? What goes on in there?\" Maybe it's a haunted mansion with an iron gate and a figure in the window. Or, maybe it's a real house you see every day that you admire, and which you think looks like a cozy place to live.
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>
This is a great way to practice anatomy, and to study the diverse range of people in this world.<\/b> Find a photo on your phone's camera roll, take one now, or find a picture of an interesting-looking person online, and get sketching! Every face tells a story, and so as you draw, try to tell that story in your portrait. Does this person have a scar from a fight? Do they look amused by something you can't see in the drawing? Are they headed somewhere important? Focus on nailing the likeness, and making your drawing recognizable as your subject. Pay attention to the shape of their features, how far apart they are, and the little things that make this person unique.
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>
Drawing flowers or other plants is a great way to practice your shapes and the confidence of your lines. Plants come in all sorts of crazy shapes and sizes, after all. Head outside and find some nice flowers to sketch, or take a crack at drawing your houseplants. Or, for something more exotic, search Google for plants that don't grow in your area. Then, focus on drawing in steady, quick, smooth strokes, rather than short and sketchy lines. That way, you push yourself to recognize the curves and angles of the plant, and how it's all put together, and build your confidence in your ability.
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>
When you make a character, you practice some figure drawing while also creating a compelling and charming character that'll inspire even more art! They don't have to be too complicated, and you don't have to have an entire story for them in your head already. Start by envisioning them in action. What are they doing? Why? How do they feel about it? How are they doing it? Starting with an action helps you explore and explain other parts of them. For example, are they a desert wanderer searching for water? An everyday person dropped into a strange new world? An evil king trying to outwit his enemies? Find their perspective, then put it on the page!
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-People"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Create-a-Fictional-Character-from-Scratch"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw People","id":70460,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-People","image":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Complete-Intro-25.jpg\/-crop-200-200-100px-Complete-Intro-25.jpg","alt":"How to Draw People"},{"title":"How to Create a Fictional Character from Scratch","id":23534,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Create-a-Fictional-Character-from-Scratch","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Create-a-Fictional-Character-from-Scratch-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Create-a-Fictional-Character-from-Scratch-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Create a Fictional Character from Scratch"}],"minimum":0,"image":"Create-Your-Own-Cartoon-Character-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","image_url":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Create-Your-Own-Cartoon-Character-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-460-329-439px-Create-Your-Own-Cartoon-Character-Step-12-Version-2.jpg"},{"number":5,"text":"You should draw an intricate robot!","meaning":"Check out this drawing guide<\/a><\/b> to get started.
Drawing robots and machinery is a great way to practice shapes, perspective, and detail. Or, your robot can be simple, cute, and cartoony. In any case, every robot has a purpose, so start there. What's your robot's purpose, what was it designed for, and how does it accomplish that task? Maybe you'll draw a huge combat mech with tons of awe-inspiring weapons in its arsenal, or maybe it's a humble factory robot that yearns for a greater purpose. Maybe it's humanoid, or maybe it looks nothing like a person, or maybe it's somewhere in the middle!
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>
Storyboarding sounds right up your alley. It seems like you've got loads of stories in your head just waiting to be told. Often, artists get those kinds of stories onto the page with storyboards, which are sort of like a loose and lazy comic that shows major story beats and the moment-to-moment pacing. What's great about storyboards is that they don't have to be very detailed, and in fact, perfection is discouraged! What matters is exploring an idea, communicating gestures and actions, and telling a narrative with simple pictures. So take that story you've been thinking about and spill it out onto paper!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Write-a-Good-Story"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Create-a-Storyboard"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Write a Story from Start to Finish","id":18438,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Write-a-Good-Story","image":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Write-a-Good-Story-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Write-a-Good-Story-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Write a Story from Start to Finish"},{"title":"How to Create a Storyboard","id":1399957,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Create-a-Storyboard","image":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Create-a-Storyboard-Step-11.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Create-a-Storyboard-Step-11.jpg","alt":"How to Create a Storyboard"}],"minimum":0,"image":"Draw-Storyboards-Step-11.jpg","image_url":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Draw-Storyboards-Step-11.jpg\/-crop-460-329-439px-Draw-Storyboards-Step-11.jpg"},{"number":7,"text":"You should draw a landscape (like a waterfall)!","meaning":"Check out this drawing guide<\/a><\/b> to get started.
Or maybe a mountain vista, or a gorgeous beach! You seem like someone who loves to look at a spectacular view, and who appreciates the bigger picture. Landscape drawing and painting is a time-honored tradition that's relaxing, fun, and helps you practice your shapes, perspective, and detail. Get outside and find a fabulous vista to recreate, or surf the web for a view you won't find at home, and get sketching! As you do, think about how you're framing the scene and what's inside. Who are the \"characters\" here? Maybe it's actual people, or maybe it's an interesting building or plant that catches your attention and seems to dominate the vibe. Start there, then work outwards!
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>
It's a fun way to show your love for another artist's work, and to find inspiration in it, while also adding your own personal touch. It also helps you practice drawing figures and likenesses. Think of a character you enjoy, whether they're an inspiring hero, a deliciously devilish villain, or even a hunky heartthrob. Picture them in your mind, or look up some references, then draw them striking a cool pose or doing something interesting that's relevant to their character. Stay with their original design, or forge your own path and imagine them in a different setting or even an alternate universe with a new look. It's up to you!
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the details as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>
Drawing animals is a great way to get your mind thinking about shapes, bodies, and how they fit together and work. Many artists focus on humans, but not nearly enough practice drawing animals! Challenge yourself to draw a few different kinds of animals to really exercise those drawing muscles. For example, maybe you'll draw a mighty lion, then a delicate moth, then a sleek and slippery eel. As you draw, think about how each part of the animal contributes to its identity. An ostrich has long legs to run fast, for example, while a frog has big bulbous eyes to see its flying prey. This way, you pay more attention to why<\/i> you're drawing things, and what sort of energy they lend to your art, instead of just copying what you see.
Remember: Start by sketching out basic shapes, then fill in the detail as you go. Don't get too hung up on mistakes or making sure everything is perfect. It's the little quirks of art that make it most interesting!
Related drawing ideas:<\/b>![\"Bouba](\"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Bouba_and_kiki.jpg\/-crop-375-300-375px-Bouba_and_kiki.jpg\")
<\/picture>","alt":"Am I a Bouba or Kiki Quiz"},{"title":"Am I Sweet or Salty Quiz","id":14534137,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Sweet-or-Salty-Test","image":"![\"Sweet](\"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Sweet_and_salty_ver_2_b.jpg\/-crop-375-300-375px-Sweet_and_salty_ver_2_b.jpg.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Sweet or Salty Quiz"},{"title":"What Is My True Color Personality Quiz","id":14149153,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/True-Colors-Personality-Test","image":"![\"True](\"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/True_colors_personality_quiz.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-True_colors_personality_quiz.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"What Is My True Color Personality Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Nope! Just black and white.","result":"We love that! In that case, check out one of these fun quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"What Symbol Best Represents Me Quiz","id":14545723,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Symbols-That-Represent-Me","image":"![\"Symbols](\"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Symbols_that_represent_me_quiz.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Symbols_that_represent_me_quiz.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"What Symbol Best Represents Me Quiz"},{"title":"Right Brain vs Left Brain Test","id":13844549,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Right-Brain-vs-Left-Brain-Test","image":"![\"Right](\"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Left_brain_right_brain_quiz_pic.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Left_brain_right_brain_quiz_pic.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Right Brain vs Left Brain Test"},{"title":"What Cartoon Character Am I Quiz","id":14324563,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Cartoon-Character-Am-I","image":"![\"What](\"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Draw-Snoopy-Step-27.jpg\/-crop-375-300-375px-Draw-Snoopy-Step-27.jpg.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"What Cartoon Character Am I Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>
Improving at Art
Humankind has been making art since before we learned to talk, probably! From carvings in stone to paintings on cave walls, it's almost like an instinct. And like any instinct, the best part about art is that anyone can do it. All you need is a piece of paper and a pencil, and you’re on your way. It’s a lifelong process, and even the best artists are always learning and improving, but here are some tips to help speed up that process:
Practice, practice, practice!
You’ve heard it before, but there’s no way around it. The only way to get better at something is by doing it. Set aside a little time each day, or every other day, or once a week, to work those creative muscles. The more you do it, the faster you’ll improve
.
Enjoy the process.
Sure, you won’t make the Mona Lisa the first time you pick up a paintbrush, but if you’re expecting to, you’ll be disappointed. Masterpieces can come later, for now, focus on enjoying the work and the process. The feel of the pencil as you draw, how it feels when your brain thinks visually, the satisfaction of having made something with your own two hands. That way, even if the end result falls short of your expectations, you’ll have had fun, and will still want to do it again.
Use lots of references
.
Lots of beginner artists think it’s “cheating” to use a reference—an image that you base your drawing on—but nothing could be further from the truth. Every legendary artist used references, whether they took photos and reproduced them on a page, or drew from what they saw in real life. How else are you going to make it look real than by studying the real thing? Heck, not even tracing is cheating, so long as you give credit to the thing you traced. In fact, tracing is a quick way to help you understand the shape and form of something!
Take a break, then come back.
When you get in the zone, you start to get almost too familiar with your drawing, so that you don’t recognize the funky parts. Many artists take lots of breaks so that they can return with fresh eyes. Often, the mistakes stand out with a little time away.
Take it easy, and don’t be hard on yourself. Art is a constant learning process, and nobody is ever “done” learning when it comes to art. Your drawing doesn't have to be perfect, or even anywhere near perfect. In fact, most people won’t ever notice your mistakes unless you point them out. More than anything, have fun!
Want to learn more?
For more information about drawing and learning art, check out these resources:
