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When you're bored out of your mind, drawing is a quick and easy way to indulge in some creative fun. But what should you try to draw? Don't worry: we've got you covered if you're short on inspiration. Whether you like drawing portraits, characters, landscapes, or something else, this list will help you find an idea that you love. Grab a pencil and paper, and dive in!

This article is based on an interview with our professional artist, Kelly Medford, founder of Sketching Rome Tours. Check out the full interview here.

1

Draw a flower.

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  1. Flowers are a fun and versatile drawing subject because they're so varied in shape, size, and color. Pick your favorite flower to sketch, and focus on lightly outlining its basic shape before adding in petals and further detail. [1] Don’t be afraid to use a reference—it will help you become a better artist!
    • If you have a garden, you could go outside and draw the first flower you see. Otherwise, you could look up a picture of the flower you want to draw online.
    • For example, you can easily draw a rose in bloom by drawing its center as a small circle and then layering petals in irregular rows around it.
    • If flowers aren't your style, draw a pinecone instead. Draw the pinecone's teardrop shape first and fill in its overlapping scales.
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2

Sketch a fantasy creature.

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  1. This is similar to drawing a regular animal—it just requires a little more imagination! Outline a dragon's reptilian head, body, and joints before sketching the details. Draw a unicorn the same way you'd draw a horse before adding a horn. Start with a scaly, serpentine body if you want to draw a simple sea monster .
3

Practice basic shapes.

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  1. For spheres, you can make a light rough outline with your pencil, sketching quickly as you capture the overall shape. Cubes are a little easier to sketch since they're all straight lines; draw two overlapping squares of the same size and connect their corners to make your cube.
    • Try drawing other 3D shapes , like cones, pyramids, and prisms. This will help you develop your skill in creating 3D objects on 2D paper.
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4

Sketch a tree outside your window.

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  1. Each tree has its own way of branching, so start by looking at its basic shapes and then filling it in from there. Once you've got the trunk and head of the tree outlined, fill in branches where you see them. Add in sky holes last—breaks in the leafy tree canopy where you can see the sky.
    • Think of leaves as masses, especially if you're studying the tree from afar. Don't outline every leaf; instead, add the most detail where leaves meet the sky, as that is where you can see their shape most clearly.
5

Doodle a cool animal.

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  1. If you're looking for less of a challenge, stick to a simple cartoon; you can easily create an animal cartoon by drawing a base shape and then filling in the details. [2] If you're drawing a lifelike picture of the animal, start by marking its joints and creating circles for the head, body, and limbs before outlining the animal and adding detail.
    • Use your pet as inspiration. You could draw a dog , rabbit, cat, bird, or any other animal you might own.
    • If you like big cats, try drawing a jaguar.
    • If you find marine life fascinating, draw a shark , dolphin, or another colorful fish that catches your eye.
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6

Create a hybrid animal.

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  1. If you're looking to go beyond realistic drawings, use your imagination to craft an animal of your own design. Pick two or three regular animals you'd like to combine and study each animal to find which aspects you want to incorporate in your sketch. Then, outline your animal and add detail to the drawing. [3]
7

Draw a portrait.

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  1. Portraits typically take a bit longer if you're aiming for detail and realism, but practicing your portrait-drawing skills helps you become a better artist. Pick a reference photo and plan out the head: draw its general shape, then create lines to place the eyes, nose, and mouth. Once everything is mapped out, sketch the face. [4]
    • Make sure you choose a picture where the person in question is eye-level with the photographer. That way, you won't be trying to draw at an odd angle.
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8

Sketch a favorite cartoon character.

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  1. From SpongeBob SquarePants to Mickey Mouse, decide which cartoon character to draw . Make sure you have a reference on hand if you haven't drawn them before, and refer to it regularly to ensure your sketch is accurate. Block out the sketch first and draw all the major shapes before adding details like clothes, fur, facial features, etc.
9

Create a character from your imagination.

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  1. Whether you like to write stories or play roleplaying games, you've probably dreamt up more than a few original characters. Pick a distinctive posture and style before sketching the character , and finalize your character once you've drawn a few different sketches to pick the one you like best. [5]
    • It's helpful to have a character concept before you start drawing, including a short description of their physical appearance and role in your story.
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10

Draw a landscape.

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  1. Once you have your reference for the drawing, start off by blocking out the biggest shapes in the landscape. Then, refine it with contour lines and smaller elements—like rocks and plants in the background. Finally, capture the landscape’s details , like blades of grass and texture on trees and rocks. [6]
    • To ensure accuracy, consider using a grid. Draw grid lines over your reference photo and the same-proportion grid lines over your drawing paper. You'll have a more detailed guide as you sketch your landscape.
11

Do a blind contour drawing.

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  1. A blind contour drawing is a simple exercise with two main rules. First, you need to pick a subject and draw it without looking at your paper. Second, once your pencil touches the paper, you can't lift it again. This will help you improve your skills and train your eyes to work in tandem with your hand.
    • Observation is one of the biggest components of a successful drawing. If you're looking to become the best artist you can be, observing your subject matter carefully is key.
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12

Sketch people on the street.

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  1. Spy on people in the park to try and draw them as they talk, eat or sunbathe. Go to a cafe and people-watch, sketching those who come in for a coffee. Observing people and completing quick sketches of them gets you comfortable drawing humans of all shapes and sizes—and it's fun!
    • Find a comfortable place to sit in a public area and do your best to look inconspicuous; wear earbuds and sit with your back to the wall if you don't want anyone to see you sketching. [7]
13

Recreate a work of art.

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  1. Print out the piece you want to draw and recreate it using the visual reference, or use tracing paper and a pencil to go over the printout and make your drawing. This will help you understand different approaches to drawing and improve your own skills simultaneously.
    • Whether you're a novice or seasoned artist, you probably have a few artistic role models. You can recreate art from any era, whether it's a da Vinci or your favorite character artist on Instagram.
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14

Practice drawing in perspective.

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  1. Using a two-point perspective can create accurate drawings with depth. First, draw a straight horizon line, and place dots called vanishing points at either end of the line. Then, as you draw your building, use a ruler to ensure that any parallel receding lines of the building follow back to one of the vanishing points. [8]
    • If it helps you create an accurate building, you can trace receding lines back to a vanishing point and then erase them later.
    • Vanishing points don't have to be placed on your page. It's helpful to do so if you're just starting out, but vanishing points are often located at imaginary spots further back from the page.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I am still wondering what creation work of art I should make?
    Aanya Gadodia
    Community Answer
    If you are a beginner, maybe start with something simple, like something on the internet. If you have experience with art, maybe try recreating more elaborate art or classical art such as starry night.
  • Question
    What is the best thing to draw?
    NATHALIE PAAT SUN EN Moe
    Community Answer
    It can be anything. For me, I like to draw water droplets because I think they are interesting and fun.
  • Question
    If I'm good at drawing, should I practice more?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it's a good idea to practice as much as possible. This way, you'll remember everything you have learned, and learn new things, too.
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      Tips

      • Try drawing exactly what you see in front of you, like your bedroom, piles of clothes, or natural areas. Look at the thing you draw as you draw—it may seem awkward at first but it will improve your realism.

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      • If you’re a beginner, take some time to learn human anatomy. It’s fun drawing practice and really pays off in the long run.
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