Exploring Easy Drawing Ideas for Beginners

Lauren McDonagh-Pereira Photography

Introduction to Simple Drawing Concepts

As an artist and solopreneur who’s passionate about making art accessible, I’m thrilled to guide you through the world of drawing, especially if you’re just starting out. Drawing is a form of artistic expression that’s both wonderful and fulfilling, and it’s something that anyone can enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, having a solid foundation is key. Here’s a closer look at the fundamental principles of drawing for beginners:

Observation: A Critical Step in the Art Journey

The journey of art begins with keen observation. It’s essential to train your eye to notice the details in the world around you. This skill is fundamental in translating the beauty of the ordinary into extraordinary art. Here are some practical tips to enhance your observational skills:

Carry a Sketchbook: Always have a sketchbook handy. This encourages you to sketch whenever you see something interesting, helping you capture the essence of everyday objects.

Focus on Shapes and Lines: When observing an object, try to break it down into basic shapes and lines. For instance, a tree can be simplified into circles for foliage and straight lines for the trunk.
Study Proportions: Pay attention to the size relationships between different parts of an object. Is the top of the coffee cup wider than the bottom? How long is the tree branch compared to its leaves? These observations are crucial for realistic drawings.
Use a Viewfinder: A simple viewfinder, which can be made from cardboard, helps isolate a scene or object, allowing you to focus on its composition without distraction.

Practice Blind Contour Drawing: This exercise involves drawing an object without looking at your paper. It trains your hand to follow the movement of your eyes, enhancing your ability to capture what you see.
Light and Shadow: Observe how light and shadows fall on different objects. This will help you understand and render the three-dimensional form of the subject.
Texture and Detail: Notice the texture of objects. Is the surface smooth, rough, shiny, or matte? Capturing these details can add realism to your drawings.

Daily Drawing Challenge: Challenge yourself to draw something every day. It can be anything from a household item to a scene outside your window. Regular practice sharpens your observational skills.

By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you’ll start to see the world through an artist’s lens. Observation is more than just seeing; it’s about understanding and interpreting the visual language of your surroundings. Remember, every object, no matter how mundane, has the potential to inspire beautiful art.

A detailed and dramatic pencil drawing of an owl.

Line and Contour: Mastering the Art of Line Drawing

Lines are much more than mere strokes on a page; they are the foundation upon which all drawings are built. Lines serve a dual purpose: they define shapes and create outlines, acting as the guiding structure for your artistic visions. Here’s how you can master the art of line and contour drawing:

Understanding Line Types: Start by familiarizing yourself with different types of lines – straight, curved, zigzag, wavy, and broken lines. Each type conveys a different emotion and characteristic. For instance, straight lines can suggest stability and structure, while curved lines may convey softness and movement.
Control and Precision: Practice drawing lines with varying levels of pressure and speed. This exercise helps in gaining better control over your drawing tools, whether it’s a pencil, pen, or brush. Try creating lines that transition from thick to thin, and vice versa, to add dynamism to your drawings.
Explore Line Quality: Line quality refers to the thickness or thinness of a line. Experiment with different drawing tools to understand how each can affect line quality. A soft pencil can create a thick, smudgy line, while a fine pen can produce a sharp, precise line.

Contour Drawing: This technique involves drawing the outline of an object. Start with simple objects and progress to more complex forms. Focus on the outer edge of the subject without lifting your drawing tool from the paper. This helps in developing a more cohesive and fluid line structure.
Gesture Drawing: Use lines to capture the gesture and movement of a subject. This is particularly useful when drawing figures. Quick, expressive lines can convey the posture and mood of a figure more effectively than detailed, slow strokes.
Practice with Different Mediums: Don’t limit yourself to just pencils. Experiment with pens, markers, charcoal, and even digital tools. Each medium offers a unique experience in how lines are produced and interact with the surface.

Incorporate Lines in Composition: Understand how lines can guide the viewer’s eye around a drawing. Horizontal lines can create a sense of calm and stability, while diagonal lines can introduce a sense of action or movement.
Regular Exercises: Dedicate time to practice line drawing regularly. You could start with line warm-ups each time you sit down to draw. Draw loops, hatching, parallel lines, and spirals. These exercises are not just warm-ups but also enhance your muscle memory and control.

By embracing these practices, you’ll not only improve your ability to create effective and expressive lines but also deepen your overall understanding of their role in drawing. Remember, lines are not just the backbone of your drawings; they are the expression of your artistic voice.

A drawing of an urban landscape with multiple objects at varying distances, using one-point perspective to create depth

Basic Forms: The Building Blocks of Complex Drawings

Understanding basic forms is a critical skill in drawing, as it allows artists to deconstruct complex objects into more manageable components. Recognizing that everything around us can be broken down into simpler shapes like circles, squares, and triangles is a fundamental step in the artistic process. Here’s how you can master the use of basic forms in your drawings:

Identify Basic Shapes in Objects: Start by observing everyday objects and visualizing them as a combination of basic shapes. For instance, a car can be seen as a series of rectangles and circles, while a tree might be broken down into cylinders (trunk) and spheres (foliage).
Practice Drawing Basic Shapes: Spend time drawing basic shapes from different angles and perspectives. Try sketching cubes, spheres, and pyramids, as these exercises will enhance your ability to perceive and replicate forms in three dimensions.

Use Shapes to Build Complexity: Once comfortable with basic shapes, use them as a foundation to draw more complex objects. Begin by sketching the basic shapes that make up the object and then refine these into more detailed forms.
Understand Form and Volume: Beyond flat shapes, it’s important to understand form – the three-dimensional aspect of shapes. Practice shading and rendering basic forms like cylinders and spheres to give them volume and depth.
Proportional Relationships: Pay attention to the size relationships between different shapes within an object. Accurate proportions are key to making your drawings look realistic.

Overlaying Details: After establishing the basic forms, overlay details to add complexity. This method helps in maintaining the correct proportions while adding the intricacies that bring the object to life.
Simplify Complex Scenes: When faced with a complex scene, simplify it into basic shapes. This approach makes it easier to lay out the composition and ensures that the fundamental structure of the scene is sound.
Use Reference Materials: Reference photos or objects can be helpful. Break down these references into their basic shapes to better understand their structure.

Experiment with Different Mediums: Explore using different mediums (like pencils, charcoal, or digital tools) for practicing basic forms. Each medium can offer a different perspective on how shapes interact.
Develop Spatial Awareness: Understanding how shapes relate to each other in space is crucial. Practice drawing still life arrangements or landscapes to enhance your spatial awareness.

By integrating these practices into your artistic routine, you’ll develop a stronger grasp of how basic forms serve as the foundation for all drawing. This knowledge not only simplifies the process of drawing complex objects but also enhances your overall ability to create more dynamic and realistic artworks. Remember, mastery of basic forms is a stepping stone to more advanced drawing techniques and styles.

a female manga character in an action pose, broken down into fundamental forms and lines to establish a dynamic drawing base.

Proportions: The Key to Realistic Drawings

Proportions play a pivotal role in drawing, as they determine how true-to-life and cohesive your artwork appears. The ability to accurately compare and replicate the sizes and positions of different elements in a composition is what sets apart amateur sketches from professional artwork. Here’s a deeper dive into understanding and mastering proportions in your drawings:

Start with a Reference Grid: Using a grid can be immensely helpful, especially for beginners. It allows you to break down a complex image into smaller, more manageable sections, ensuring that each element is proportionally accurate.
Use a Standard Measurement Unit: Pick a part of your subject to use as a unit of measurement (like the length of a head in figure drawing). Use this unit to measure other parts of your subject, ensuring consistent proportions throughout your drawing.

Practice with Simple Forms: Before tackling complex subjects, practice drawing simple objects and getting their proportions right. This exercise builds a fundamental understanding of size relationships.
Understand Human Proportions: If you’re drawing people, familiarize yourself with basic human proportions. For instance, the average adult is about eight heads tall, and the distance between the eyes is typically the width of one eye.
Check Proportions Continuously: Regularly step back from your work and view it from a distance. This change in perspective can help you better see disproportion errors.

Use Tools for Accuracy: Don’t hesitate to use tools like rulers, compasses, or digital applications to check proportions. These tools can be particularly useful in architectural or technical drawings.
Study from Life: Drawing from life, as opposed to photographs, can significantly improve your ability to gauge proportions. This practice develops your eye for size relationships in a real-world context.
Practice Comparative Measurement: This involves directly comparing the size of one part of your subject to another. For instance, you might compare the width of a subject’s face to the height of their head.

Adjust as You Go: Don’t be afraid to make adjustments. Even experienced artists often need to correct proportions as their work progresses.
Develop Your Eye for Detail: Over time, strive to develop an intuitive sense for proportions. This skill comes with practice and is crucial for creating realistic drawings.
Learn from the Masters: Study the works of renowned artists and observe how they handle proportions. This can provide valuable insights into effective techniques.

Experiment with Exaggeration: While realistic proportions are important, playing with exaggeration can lead to stylized and creative artwork, particularly in genres like caricature or certain types of illustration.

By focusing on these aspects of proportions, you can significantly enhance the realism and accuracy of your drawings. Remember, mastering proportions is a skill that develops over time, and consistent practice is key to improvement. Whether you are drawing landscapes, portraits, or abstract pieces, a solid understanding of proportions is crucial in bringing your artistic visions to life.

A drawing of a beginner's attempt at gesture drawing, capturing the basic movement and form of a human figure in action

Shading and Texture: Bringing Your Art to Life

Shading and texture are essential skills in drawing, pivotal for transforming flat, two-dimensional sketches into vibrant, lifelike creations. Shading adds depth and dimension, creating the illusion of light and shadow, while texture imbues your work with realism and character. Here’s how you can enhance your artwork with effective shading and texturing techniques:

Understand Light and Shadow: The first step in mastering shading is to understand how light behaves. Observe how light falls on different objects and how it creates shadows and highlights. Notice the contrast between light and dark areas and how it defines the form.
Practice with Simple Shapes: Begin your shading practice with simple forms like spheres, cubes, and cylinders. Practice creating a range of values from light to dark on these shapes to understand how light interacts with different forms.
Explore Shading Techniques: Experiment with different shading techniques such as hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending. Each technique offers a unique texture and can be used to create different effects.

Use the Right Tools: Familiarize yourself with various tools like soft pencils, blending stumps, and erasers. Soft pencils (B grades) are great for dark, rich shadows, while harder pencils (H grades) are better for lighter, finer details.
Create a Value Scale: A value scale is a gradient from white to black, showing all the different shades in between. Creating your own value scale can help you understand and replicate different levels of lightness and darkness in your drawings.
Layer Your Shading: Build up shading gradually, starting with lighter tones and gradually adding darker layers. This approach allows for more control and subtlety in your shading.

Study Textures: Pay attention to the textures around you – the roughness of tree bark, the smoothness of a metal surface, the softness of fur. Practice replicating these textures in your drawings.
Practice Texture with Lines and Dots: Create textures using lines, dots, and marks. For instance, short, quick strokes can mimic hair or grass, while dots can resemble the texture of sand or rough surfaces.
Blend for Smooth Textures: For smooth textures, like skin or polished surfaces, use blending tools like tissue, cotton swabs, or blending stumps to soften and smoothen your shading.

Use Negative Space: Sometimes, the texture is suggested by the space around an object. Practice leaving parts of your drawing unshaded to imply texture through contrast.
Play with Light Sources: Experiment with different light sources to see how they affect shading and texture. Try drawing the same object with light coming from different directions.
Reference from Real Life: Use real objects as references for your shading and texture practice. Observing and replicating real-life textures and shadows can greatly improve your skills.

By focusing on these aspects of shading and texture, you’ll add a new dimension of realism and depth to your artwork. Remember, the key to mastery in these areas is patience, practice, and observation. As you become more comfortable with these techniques, you’ll find your own unique way to express textures and shading in your art, making your drawings more compelling and lifelike.

A sketch drawing of people in a meditation retreat

Perspective: Crafting Depth and Dimension in Your Art

Perspective is a fundamental aspect of drawing that allows artists to create an illusion of depth and dimension on a flat surface. It’s what makes a drawing appear realistic and three-dimensional. Whether it’s one-point, two-point, or three-point perspective, mastering these concepts is crucial for bringing your artwork to life. Here’s how you can develop your perspective skills:

Understand Perspective Types:
- One-Point Perspective: Used for objects facing directly towards the viewer, with a single vanishing point on the horizon.
- Two-Point Perspective: Ideal for showing objects at an angle, where two sets of parallel lines converge at two vanishing points on the horizon.
- Three-Point Perspective: Adds a third vanishing point, typically above or below the horizon, to depict a bird’s-eye or worm’s-eye view.

Start with Horizon Line and Vanishing Points: Begin your perspective drawing by establishing a horizon line and locating your vanishing point(s). These elements are the anchors for your drawing.
Practice with Simple Forms: Practice drawing basic shapes like cubes and cylinders in perspective. Start with one-point perspective and gradually move to more complex two-point and three-point perspectives.
Use a Ruler for Accuracy: In perspective drawing, precision is key. Use a ruler to ensure your lines are straight and accurately converge at the vanishing points.

Create Depth through Overlapping: Overlapping elements in your drawing can enhance the sense of depth. Place some objects in front of others to create a layered effect.
Pay Attention to Size and Spacing: Objects appear smaller as they recede into the distance. Practice scaling down objects and spacing them closer together as they approach the vanishing point.
Experiment with Viewpoints: Try drawing from different viewpoints (e.g., bird’s-eye, worm’s-eye) to understand how perspective changes with the viewer’s angle.

Study Real-Life Examples: Observe the world around you. Notice how buildings, roads, and objects change in size and shape when viewed from different distances and angles.
Incorporate Shadows and Highlights: Use shading to reinforce the three-dimensional feel. Shadows and highlights can indicate the direction of light and add depth to your perspective drawings.
Use Grids for Complex Scenes: For intricate scenes, a grid can help maintain proper perspective across various objects.

Practice with Architectural Subjects: Buildings and cityscapes are excellent subjects for practicing perspective, as they contain many straight lines and angles.
Sketch from Photographs: Use photographs as a reference to understand how perspective works in different settings.

By incorporating these practices into your drawing routine, you’ll develop a stronger grasp of perspective and its role in creating realistic, three-dimensional artwork. Remember, mastering perspective takes time and patience. With regular practice, you’ll find your drawings gaining more depth and realism, making them more engaging and believable. Perspective is not just a technique; it’s a way of seeing the world and translating it onto your canvas.

A drawing of a street scene at dusk, using dark lines to define the buildings and cross hatching to create the shadows cast by the setting sun

Composition: Crafting a Visually Pleasing Artwork

Composition in drawing is an art in itself, involving the thoughtful arrangement of elements to create a visually pleasing and harmonious piece. It’s about how you place your subject, background, and other components in your drawing to achieve balance and convey your artistic vision effectively. Here’s how to enhance your compositions:

Understand the Rule of Thirds: This principle divides the drawing space into nine equal parts with two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections can create a more engaging composition.
Experiment with Focal Points: A focal point draws the viewer’s eye to the most important part of your drawing. Experiment with different elements as focal points, like a bright color, a detailed area, or a unique subject, to see what captures attention best.

Balance Your Composition: Balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance creates harmony and formality, while asymmetrical balance can make your composition more dynamic and interesting.
Play with Scale and Proportion: Varying the size of elements in your drawing can create depth and emphasize certain parts of your composition.
Utilize Leading Lines: Use natural lines within your drawing, like roads, fences, or rivers, to lead the viewer’s eye to your focal point.

Incorporate Negative Space: Negative space, the area around and between subjects, can be as important as the objects themselves. Proper use of negative space can give your drawing a clean, uncluttered look.
Consider Color and Value: The use of color and value can impact the mood and depth of your composition. Darker values can add weight to one part of the drawing, while brighter colors can attract attention.
Create Depth with Layering: By layering elements, you can create a sense of depth. Place some objects in the foreground, others in the middle ground, and more in the background.

Maintain Unity and Variety: While your composition should be unified, incorporating variety in shapes, sizes, and textures can make it more engaging.
Experiment with Different Perspectives: Changing the viewpoint or angle can dramatically alter the composition of your drawing. Try bird’s-eye view, worm’s-eye view, or a diagonal perspective.
Study Masterpieces: Analyze the compositions of famous artworks. Notice how the artists arranged elements to create balance and focus.

Sketch Thumbnails: Before finalizing your composition, sketch several small thumbnails to experiment with different arrangements.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any other skill, improving your compositional skills takes practice. Regularly challenge yourself with different subjects and layouts.

By focusing on these aspects of composition, your drawings will not only capture the viewer’s eye but also hold their attention. A well-composed drawing tells a story, evokes emotions, and showcases your unique artistic style. Remember, composition is a personal and creative decision, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Feel free to experiment and find what best suits your artistic vision.

A detailed full body figure drawing of a couple kissing

Patience and Practice: The Pillars of Artistic Growth

In the world of art, patience and practice are not just recommendations; they are essential for growth and mastery. Drawing, like any skill, improves over time with consistent effort and a patient mindset. Here are some strategies to help you cultivate patience and enhance your practice:

Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable, specific goals for your drawing practice. Whether it’s mastering a new technique or completing a drawing each week, having clear objectives can keep you motivated and focused.
Create a Regular Practice Schedule: Consistency is key. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for drawing. Even short, daily practice sessions can lead to significant improvements over time.
Embrace the Learning Process: Understand that making mistakes is a part of learning. Each error is an opportunity to improve. Instead of getting discouraged, analyze what went wrong and how you can do better next time.
Keep a Sketchbook Journal: Maintain a sketchbook to track your progress. Regularly looking back at your earlier works can be incredibly encouraging as you’ll be able to see how much you’ve improved.
Experiment with Different Styles and Mediums: Don’t limit yourself to one style or medium. Experimenting with various techniques can help you discover what you enjoy most and can also uncover new ways to express your creativity.
Seek Feedback and Constructive Criticism: Share your work with others and be open to feedback. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights and help you see your work from a different perspective.
Take Breaks to Avoid Burnout: It’s important to rest and recharge. If you feel overwhelmed or frustrated, take a break. Sometimes stepping away from your work can provide a fresh perspective when you return.
Engage in Drawing Challenges: Participate in drawing challenges or prompts, which can be found in online artist communities. These can be fun ways to push your boundaries and practice regularly.
Learn from Others: Attend workshops, watch tutorials, or read books. Learning from other artists can offer new techniques and inspiration.
Reflect on Your Journey: Regularly take time to reflect on your artistic journey. Acknowledge the effort you’ve put in and the progress you’ve made.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Celebrate your achievements along the way, whether it’s nailing a difficult technique or completing a complex drawing.
Stay Inspired: Keep your passion alive by surrounding yourself with things that inspire you – be it nature, music, art galleries, or other artists’ work.

By incorporating these practices into your artistic journey, you cultivate not only technical skills but also a mindset that embraces growth and continuous learning. Remember, patience and practice go hand in hand in the journey of art. Your commitment to regular practice, coupled with a patient and persevering attitude, will undoubtedly lead you to new heights in your artistic endeavors.

A drawing of a close-up of a face with dramatic lighting, showcasing the use of cross hatching to create shadows and contours

A drawing of a portrait where advanced blending techniques have been used to create realistic skin textures and tones

Art Supplies: Essential Tools for Every Artist

Starting with the right art supplies is crucial for any artist, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional. While you don’t need to invest in expensive materials to create impressive art, having quality tools can enhance your drawing experience. Here are ten brand-specific product recommendations to kickstart your artistic journey.

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Pencils: Faber-Castell 9000 Graphite Sketch Pencil Art Set
- A versatile set of graphite pencils ranging from 2H to 8B, perfect for both detailed work and shading.
Erasers: Prismacolor Scholar Latex-Free Eraser
- Ideal for erasing graphite and colored pencils, these erasers are gentle on paper and highly effective.
Sketchbooks: Moleskine Art Sketchbook
- Known for their quality, Moleskine sketchbooks offer heavy, acid-free paper, great for a variety of drawing mediums.
Paper: Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads
- A staple for artists, Strathmore sketch pads provide excellent paper quality suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Colored Pencils: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
- With their rich pigmentation and smooth texture, these colored pencils are a favorite among artists for blending and layering.
Charcoal: General’s Charcoal Drawing Set
- This set includes a range of charcoal pencils, sticks, and a sharpener, perfect for dynamic and expressive drawings.
Ink Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens
- Known for their precision and archival quality ink, these pens are excellent for detailed line work.
Markers: Copic Sketch Markers
- Copic markers are widely acclaimed for their vibrant colors and blendability, ideal for illustrations and mixed media work.
Brush Pens: Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers
- These dual-sided markers offer a brush tip for broad strokes and a fine tip for detail work, with a range of vibrant colors.
Watercolors: Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers’ Pocket Box
- Compact and portable, this set is great for artists on the go, offering high-quality pigments and easy blending.

Each of these products offers a balance of quality and value, making them excellent choices for artists seeking to expand their toolkit. Remember, the best art supplies are the ones that suit your personal style and the demands of your project. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials to find what works best for you.

A drawing of a still life scene with cross hatching techniques to create depth, featuring a dimly lit vase and draped fabric

Seeking Inspiration: Fueling Your Artistic Imagination

Drawing is as much about inspiration as it is about technique. As an artist, your unique perspective is your greatest asset in finding inspiration from the world around you. Here are some ways to immerse yourself in diverse sources of inspiration that can invigorate your creativity and enrich your artwork:

Visit Art Galleries and Museums: Regularly visiting galleries and museums exposes you to a wide range of artistic styles and periods. Observing the work of other artists can stimulate new ideas and techniques you might want to try.
Explore Nature: Nature is an endless source of inspiration. Take time to go for walks in parks, hike in the mountains, or visit the beach. The colors, textures, and forms found in nature can be translated into stunning artistic expressions.
Dive into Books and Literature: Books, whether they are novels, art books, or even graphic novels, can open up new worlds. Literature can inspire visual imagery, themes, and moods for your drawings.
Leverage Technology: Use technology to your advantage. Digital platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and art blogs are treasure troves of artistic inspiration. Follow artists and art pages, and use these resources to discover new styles and trends.
Travel and Cultural Experiences: Whenever possible, travel to new places. Experiencing different cultures, architectures, landscapes, and people can significantly broaden your artistic horizons.
Attend Workshops and Art Classes: Participating in workshops and classes can introduce you to new techniques and mediums. It also provides an opportunity to meet other artists and gain inspiration from their perspectives.
Watch Films and Documentaries: Visual storytelling in films and documentaries can offer a plethora of artistic inspiration. Pay attention to cinematography, color palettes, and composition for new ideas.
Listen to Music: Music can evoke emotions and images that can translate into visual art. Try drawing while listening to different genres of music to see how it influences your mood and work.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Sometimes, inspiration comes from within. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can clear your mind, allowing creative thoughts to flow more freely.
Keep an Inspiration Journal: Carry a journal to jot down ideas, sketches, and observations. Your journal can be a personal repository of inspiration that you can refer to whenever you need a creative boost.
Experiment with Different Art Forms: Don’t limit yourself to drawing alone. Experiment with photography, sculpture, or digital art. Sometimes, a different art form can provide fresh perspectives and ideas.
Reflect on Personal Experiences: Your own life experiences, emotions, and thoughts are powerful sources of inspiration. Use your personal journey to infuse authenticity and depth into your art.

By tapping into these diverse sources of inspiration, you can continuously fuel your creativity and keep your artistic work fresh and exciting. Remember, inspiration is everywhere—you just need to be open and receptive to it. Your unique perspective and experiences can transform ordinary observations into extraordinary art.

A sketch drawing of a dramatic thunderstorm over a prairie, with lightning.

In drawing, the possibilities are endless. Your artistic journey is unique, and there’s no right or wrong way to express yourself through art. So let’s embark on this creative adventure together, and I’ll be here to support and inspire you every step of the way.