95 Sketch Ideas for Beginners

So you want to get into sketching, but staring at a blank page is seriously intimidating.

I feel you!

That’s like writer’s block, but for artists.

But don’t worry – sketching is meant to be fun and pressure-free.

It’s about doodling, experimenting, and letting your pencil (or pen, or charcoal…) just take you on a little adventure.

Here’s the thing: You don’t have to be the next Picasso to enjoy sketching.

All you need is a little nudge to get those creative juices flowing. That’s where this mega-list comes in.

We’re talking 95 amazing ideas to spark your imagination and get you drawing in no time. Some are simple, some are a bit quirky, but all of them are designed to kickstart your sketching journey.

Let’s check them out.

Simple Objects

Fruit

Start simple! 

Grab an apple, banana, or orange and get sketching. Focus on getting the basic outline of the fruit down. Then see how light falls across the fruit, and try adding some simple shading to give it dimension. 

Don’t stress over perfection – this is about building basic skills.

Mug

When does a mug come in handy?

Well, sketching can be one of it’s case studies. 

Pay close attention to the curve of the handle and how light creates highlights and shadows on the mug’s surface. Try to sketch those changes in light for a more realistic feel.

Keys

Your keys are surprisingly interesting! 

Get a good look at them – check out how the light bounces off all those edges and surfaces. 

Focus on the different key shapes, and you’ll be surprised at how a few simple lines can really capture their look.

Flowers

Pick a simple flower, like a daisy or tulip – something with clear shapes. Study how the petals overlap and how the stem curves. 

Don’t worry about making it photorealistic, just concentrate on the basic shapes you see.

Seashells

Seashells are full of amazing textures and patterns. If you have some on hand, give them a good look. 

Try to capture the ridges, swirls, and any interesting marks. Seashells are a great way to start exploring the fun of drawing textures!

Nature Studies

​​Leaves

Get outside and find some cool leaves! 

There are so many different shapes out there to play with. Pay attention to the outline of the leaf and how the veins run through it. 

See if you can capture that delicate network of lines.

Tree

No need to draw a whole forest, LOL!

Start by sketching the basic trunk and a few major branches. Then, decide what kind of tree it is – is it leafy with rounded shapes? 

A pine tree with spiky needles? 

Have fun adding that leafy (or prickly!) texture.

Clouds

Clouds are always changing, so this is about watching and practicing! 

Look up on a day with fluffy clouds, and notice how they have round shapes, but also interesting shadows. 

Think less about exact details, and more about getting those soft, puffy forms onto paper.

Mountains

Mountains are all about those dramatic peaks and valleys. 

Start with a few simple triangles for the peaks, then jagged lines for ridges and valleys. Don’t be afraid of creating some real contrast between those high peaks and lower areas.

A Single Feather

Find a feather and take a good look at it. 

They’re full of incredible detail! 

Notice the central stem and how softer feather bits branch off from it. Try to sketch those delicate textures, focusing on the subtle shifts in shape.

Everyday Items

Shoes

Grab your favorite shoes, the more worn-in the better! 

Look carefully at how they crease and fold. Don’t forget those tricky laces – focus on getting the basic shapes and lines down.

Hat

Hats are all about texture! 

Is it a fuzzy beanie? 

A straw sunhat? 

Pay attention to how the shadows fall across it and try to show that in your drawing. This is where shading really comes in handy.

Chair

Draw your chair from different sides and see how it changes! 

From the front, you might see all the legs, but what about from the side? 

Play with drawing the same thing in different ways to practice perspective.

Open Book

Notice how the pages aren’t perfectly flat – they curve and bend a bit. 

Watch where the shadows fall inside the book and try to capture that on your paper.

A Stack of Coins

Coins are a fun challenge! 

Start with simple circles, but overlap them a bit to create the stack. 

Then experiment with adding the coin ridges and even try to capture the shine of the metal with some shading.

Fun and Whimsical

Your Favorite Food

Pizza, ice cream, tacos…what’s YOUR ultimate yummy treat? 

Draw it with all the toppings! Don’t worry about perfect circles or super straight lines – it’s about showing off all the delicious parts of your favorite snack.

Cute Animals

Love cats, dogs, or maybe even bunnies? 

Start with simple circles or ovals for a cartoon-style animal. Give it big eyes, a cute little nose, and don’t forget those floppy ears or a fluffy tail!

Imaginary Creature

Time to get weird! 

Mix and match your favorite animal parts! 

A dog with wings? 

A cat with horns? 

Go for it! 

Bonus points for coming up with a cool name for your creature.

Simple House

Think about the basic building blocks: a big square for the house, a triangle for the roof. 

Get fancy by adding a door, some windows, and maybe even a puff of smoke coming from the chimney!

Eye Closeup

Eyes are amazing! 

Look closely at your own eye in the mirror. 

Notice the circle of the iris, that dark spot in the middle (the pupil), and even the feathery lines of your eyelashes. See if you can capture all of those awesome details!

Textured Paintings

A Piece of Fabric

Got a scarf, an old sweater, or some fancy lace? 

Spread it out and get ready to draw those textures! 

Is it smooth and satiny? 

Fuzzy and knitted? 

See how the fabric folds and bunches, then try to capture those soft shadows with your pencil.

Pine Cone

Pine cones are little miracles of nature! 

Look at those scales – how do they overlap? 

Try to sketch them layer by layer, focusing on their individual shapes. It’s a fun way to practice drawing repeating patterns.

Basket

Baskets are all about those criss-cross lines! 

Get up close and draw the way the materials weave over and under each other. 

Notice how the light and shadow create an almost checkerboard pattern – try to get that down on paper.

Brick Wall

Not every wall is perfectly smooth! 

Look at an old brick wall, check out the rough texture, little cracks, maybe even bits of moss growing. 

This is all about playing with texture – use some rougher strokes to imitate that worn, bumpy look.

Tree Bark

Tree bark is another incredible texture to explore. 

Is it smooth? 

Are there deep grooves or knots? 

Really look at a tree trunk up close and you’ll be surprised by all the detail. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment to capture those unique textures!

Play With Perspectives

Your Hand

Your hand is a sketch subject always with you! 

Put it in different positions – a fist, a wave, holding something. Try making parts look closer and others further away. 

It’s trickier than it looks, but awesome practice!

Crumpled Paper

Grab a piece of paper and give it a good crumple. 

See how it makes cool shadows and highlights? 

Try to capture those crinkles and folds. 

Think of it less as drawing paper, and more like drawing the shapes of light and dark.

City Street

Think about a street with shops, cars, maybe some trees. 

Now imagine how things further away look smaller! Start sketching that scene, making buildings shrink as they get further from you.

Staircase

Staircases have a neat repeating pattern. 

See how the steps seem to overlap and get smaller towards the top? 

Use a ruler to help at first, then try capturing the way those steps change in your drawing.

A Box

Boxes are the ultimate shape practice! Start simple – front view, side view. Then get bold! 

Tilt it, look down on it from above. 

See how the sides change shape depending on your angle?

Simplified Human Forms

Silhouettes

Find a friend (or pose yourself), and try drawing just the outline of their shadow! 

Focus on getting the major shapes of their pose: are they leaping, dancing, reaching for something? 

Don’t worry about details, just the strong outline. 

It’s like a powerful action snapshot!

Expressions

Look in a mirror and make faces! 

Try a huge smile, a surprised frown, or a ‘thinking’ face. 

Pay attention to how your eyebrows, eyes, and mouth change with different emotions. 

Then try to capture those on paper in a few simple lines.

Hands in Motion

Think of all the things your hands do! 

Are they giving a thumbs up, waving, holding something? 

Sketch your hand in different positions, focusing on the shapes your fingers make and how they overlap.

Cartoon of a Quirky Thing

This is about playing with the features! 

Do you have big eyes? 

Freckles? 

Crazy hair? 

Is it a pet with a hint of quirkiness?

It’s all about having fun, not making a perfect likeness.

Try some unique thing out.

Feet in Sandals

Take a look at your sandals – are they strappy, flip-flops, or something else? 

Focus on drawing the basic shape of your feet, and then add in the details of the sandal straps.

More Whimsical Fun

Hot Air Balloon

Picture yourself soaring through the skies! 

Draw a big, colorful hot air balloon – stripes, polka dots, whatever pattern you like. 

Don’t forget the basket and maybe a few tiny people waving from way up high.

Dream House

What does your perfect house look like? 

Does it have a treehouse attached? 

A slide? 

A secret room? 

Get creative and draw the house of your dreams, big or small, with all the coolest details you can imagine.

Robot

Design your ultimate robot helper! 

Does it have wheels or legs? 

Special arms for chores? 

Think about what you’d want your robot to do, and design it with those features in mind.

Underwater Scene

Dive into imagination! 

Sketch some cool fish, waving strands of seaweed, maybe some coral, and who knows? 

Perhaps there’s a sunken treasure chest hidden amongst the rocks.

A Tiny Planet

Create your own mini-world! 

Imagine a little planet with tiny houses, winding roads, and maybe even miniature mountains. 

What would it look like? 

Let your imagination go wild!

Observation Based

The Reflection of An Object

Ready for a challenge? 

Set up a mirror and try drawing the reflection of any random thing found in the house! 

No need to be a pro, just focus on the basic shapes. Have fun with it, and you might be surprised by the result.

A Plant

Houseplant or wildflower, it’s time to study nature! 

Notice how leaves come in different shapes, how the stem bends, and even how the plant might sit in its pot. 

This is all about looking closely and capturing the plant’s unique form.

Kitchen Utensils

Raid your kitchen drawers! 

Put together a little pile of something like a whisk, wooden spoon, or spatula. 

Notice how the shapes interact and where they overlap – this is a great way to practice seeing objects in relation to each other.

Old Tools

Got access to a toolbox or maybe granddad’s shed? 

Old tools have so much character! 

All those nicks, rusty spots, and worn handles tell a story. 

Focus on those details for a super interesting sketch.

Pile of Clothes

Laundry isn’t always fun, but it can be great drawing practice! 

Look at how the clothes fold, where the shadows are deepest, and how those random wrinkles create interesting shapes.

Abstract Exploration

Geometric Patterns

Get ready to be a pattern master! 

Use circles, squares, triangles, and lines to design your very own pattern. 

Start simple, then see how you can repeat and mix up those shapes for something really cool. There’s no wrong answer here!

Zentangle

Zentangles are like super relaxing doodles on another level! 

Look up some “Zentangle” ideas online to get inspired. 

Then, start filling a space with small, repeating patterns made of simple shapes and lines. 

Turn off your brain and let those doodles flow.

Continuous Line Drawing

Can you draw something without lifting your pencil? 

It’s a fun challenge! 

Pick an object, keep your eyes on it, and let your pencil follow along on the page. 

Don’t worry if it looks wonky – that’s what makes it interesting!

Scribble Drawing

Fill a whole page with crazy scribbles! 

Go fast, go slow, just let your hand loose. 

Then, step back and search for shapes and figures hiding in your scribbles. 

Can you turn them into a wacky picture?

Blindfolded Drawing

Ready for a wild drawing experiment? 

Put on a blindfold and let your hand draw whatever it wants. It’ll probably look like a total mess, but that’s the point! 

Embrace the crazy lines and surprising shapes – it’s all about expression.

Imagination Inspired

A Pattern Inspired by Music

Time for a dance party! 

Put on your favorite song and really listen. 

Does it make you feel bouncy? 

Maybe you draw lots of circles and squiggles. 

Is it slow and smooth? 

Try drawing wavy lines and long curves. 

There’s no right or wrong way to do this, just let the music be your guide!

Object Transformation

This is like magic in a drawing! 

Start with a super simple shape, like a circle. Now, slowly add little bits and pieces – change lines, add curves – until it turns into something completely different. 

Could that circle become a cat? 

A balloon? 

Let your imagination take over!

Letter Sketch

Letters are powerful! Pick a letter that makes you think of something: “Adventure,” “Peace,” “Silly”…. Now, draw what it makes you feel! 

No need to be a pro, let your mind make the pictures.

Book Character

Did a book ever make you feel like you know a character personally? 

Draw them! 

Don’t just try to make them look right, think about their personality. 

Are they brave – maybe big, bold lines? 

A bit sneaky – perhaps some shadowy scribbles?

Your Dream Room

This is YOUR space to design! 

Do you want a giant bed? 

A secret reading nook? 

A whole wall of shelves for your favorite things? 

Go wild with your ideas – the more personal it is, the better!

Challenging Techniques

Negative Space

This one’s a mind-bender! 

Instead of drawing a vase, try drawing the shapes around a vase. 

It’s a super cool way to practice seeing shapes and will help you draw anything more accurately.

Two-Point Perspective

Want your drawings to feel like you can step right into them? 

Try two-point perspective! 

It’s how we see the world. 

Think of drawing a hallway where all the lines seem to disappear towards two points on the horizon.

Crosshatching

Lines, lines, and more lines! Get scribbly with this one. 

Crosshatching is all about using crossed lines to make shadows. 

The closer your lines are together, the darker the shadow! It’s a neat way to make drawings pop.

Pointillism

It’s all about the dots! 

Build up a whole picture using tiny dots of color. Up close, it’ll look like a bunch of colorful confetti, but step back, and watch the amazing image appear. 

This one takes patience but is super cool.

Gesture Drawing

It’s time to get FAST! 

Find a photo of a person or an animal in action, set a timer for one minute, and try to capture the overall energy of their pose. 

Don’t worry about perfect details, focus on the movement!

The World Around You

A Corner of Your Room

Pick your favorite corner and start sketching! 

Is it a cozy reading nook with a chair? 

A desk with all sorts of interesting stuff on it? 

Pay attention to how the light coming in creates shadows, and how big pieces of furniture make cool shapes.

View From Your Window

Do you see buildings, trees, maybe even mountains? 

Take some time to sketch what you see out of your window. 

Even a small detail – like a bird perched on a branch – can be a great drawing challenge.

People on Public Transport

The bus or train is a great place for people-watching (just be discreet!). 

Don’t worry about drawing whole faces, focus on capturing interesting postures: someone leaning over to read, or a hand resting on a backpack.

Jewelry

Pick a piece of jewelry you like – a necklace, ring, or a cool bracelet. 

Get up close and try to sketch all the links, stones, or any interesting designs it has. 

Pay attention to how the light bounces off it in different spots!

Food Market

Markets are an explosion of colors and shapes! 

Focus on a specific stall – maybe those overflowing with bright red apples or stacks of colorful spices. 

Try to capture all those vibrant colors and different textures.

Focusing on the Details

Close-up of an Insect

Get those magnifying glasses out (or find an awesome photo online)! 

Insects are amazing up-close. 

Notice their delicate wings, all those body sections, and even the tiny hairs on their legs. 

This is all about those incredible details.

Animal Eyes

Eyes can be incredibly expressive! 

Look at photos of different animals and focus on how their eyes are shaped. 

Think about a cat’s slit-like pupil, compared to the big round eye of a dog. 

See how the light reflects on the surface of the eye too.

A Single Strand of Hair

Hair seems simple, but there’s more to it than you think! Study a single strand closely. 

Notice how it has subtle curves, and how the light plays off its smooth surface. Try capturing those tiny details!

Texture of Skin

Time to look in the mirror! Focus on a small area of your skin – the back of your hand is great. 

Don’t just draw an outline, try to capture the wrinkles, tiny lines, pores, and subtle changes in color.

Water Drops

This is tricky but so rewarding! 

Look at how water drops rest on a leaf or a shiny surface. 

Notice the way they bulge up, reflect the world around them, and maybe even distort the things you see through the drops.

Storytelling and Emotion

A Scene from a Dream

Did you have a wild and crazy dream last night? 

Before it fades from memory, grab your sketchbook. 

Try to capture the weird setting, the strange characters – the more outlandish, the better! 

Even if it doesn’t make perfect sense, that’s the magic of dreams.

A Favorite Memory

Think of a happy memory that brings a smile to your face. 

Was it an epic birthday party? 

A vacation with your family? 

Close your eyes and picture it, then try to put that feeling on paper. Focus on whatever stuck with you – colors, faces, or special details.

Personification of an Emotion

Think of an emotion – joy, sadness, anger – what does it look like to you? 

Is it a bright color? 

A stormy shape? 

A funny creature? 

Turn that feeling into an actual character on the page!

Book Cover Redesign

Got a book you love and couldn’t put down?

Imagine a brand new cover for it!

Think about what stood out to you about the story: a special symbol, an important place, or maybe even a key character.

Hands Telling a Story

Our hands are so expressive!

Think of different gestures – a gentle hand on a shoulder, a fist clenched in anger – what kind of story do these suggest?

Try sketching just hands positioned in ways that tell their own little tale.

Creative Challenges

Draw Your Non-Dominant Hand

Try drawing a hand with your non-dominant hand.

It’ll feel awkward at first, but this is a great way to loosen up your style and see things differently. 

You might even discover new ways to create cool lines and textures.

30-Second Sketches

Set a timer and sketch a bunch of things in 30 seconds each! 

It’s about capturing the basic idea, not perfection. 

This is a great way to train your eye and learn to draw the most important parts of an object quickly.

Combine Unrelated Objects

Clock with wings? 

Shoe filled with flowers? 

Get silly! 

Pick two things that don’t go together and draw them in the same scene. 

This is a fun way to spark your imagination and come up with surprising drawings.

Draw Upside-Down

Find a photo and flip it upside down. 

Try to draw exactly what you see, upside-down! 

This helps you break away from drawing what you think something should look like, and instead focuses on the actual shapes you observe.

“Squiggle” Start

Scribble a random line on your page. 

Can you turn it into something recognizable? 

Maybe it’s the start of a dragon’s tail or the curve of a rollercoaster. 

Let your imagination run wild!

Exploring Materials

Charcoal

Get ready for messy fun! 

Charcoal is fantastic for making big bold lines and then smudging them around for cool shading effects. 

Try drawing something with simple shapes and strong shadows – it’ll really help you see what charcoal can do!

Watercolor

Watercolor is all about softness and how colors flow into each other. 

Start with a simple wash – just a big, watery shape for a sky or grassy field. 

Play around with how the colors blend when they’re still wet – that’s part of the magic!

Colored Pencils

Time to brighten things up with colored pencils! 

Arrange a few objects (maybe a piece of fruit, a mug, and a flower), and start sketching them. 

Experiment with layering colors lightly on top of each other to create new ones, and see how smoothly you can blend them together.

Ballpoint Pen

Think you can’t get cool shading with a regular pen? 

Think again! 

Challenge yourself by trying to create different shades with a ballpoint. 

Instead of lines, make tiny dots close together for dark areas, and spread them out for lighter ones.

Coffee or Tea

Ready to try something different? 

Skip the queue and try sketching with coffee or tea-focused colors! 

The lighter the color, the more subtle your drawing will be. 

It’s a great way to get a vintage, old-timey look to your artwork.

Design Exercises

Pattern with a Theme

Pick a theme that makes you excited – maybe it’s flowers, dinosaurs, robots, or even yummy pizza! 

Draw a simple shape related to your theme, then start repeating it. 

Change up the colors, add small details, and see how cool your themed pattern can get!

Create a Logo

Think of a pretend business – a bakery? 

A skate shop? 

Use your name or initials, or pick a simple symbol that represents your brand. 

Keep it simple, with bold lines and maybe some bright color. 

The goal is to create something people will remember!

Futuristic Vehicle

Let your imagination go wild! 

Does your vehicle fly? 

Travel underwater? 

Forget wheels – maybe it moves on magnets!

Draw a sleek shape, add cool windows and lights, and don’t forget those futuristic techy details that make it special.

Gadget Redesign

Pick something boring, like a spoon or a pencil. 

Now, let’s make it awesome! 

Does it light up? 

Shrink down for travel? 

Maybe it transforms into something completely different with the press of a button. 

Get creative with its features and design!

Imaginary Cityscape

Time to get creative! 

Does your city float in the clouds? 

Exist underwater? 

Think of unusual building shapes, crazy transportation methods, and unique inhabitants. 

The more unusual, the better!

Abstract Exploration

Draw to the Beat

Crank up some tunes! 

Feel the rhythm and let your hand flow across the page. 

Use swirls, sharp zig-zags, whatever feels right as you get lost in the music. 

There are no wrong answers here, just let the sound guide your pencil!

Express an Emotion with Lines

Think of an emotion – happy, angry, excited, calm. 

Now try to draw that feeling using only lines! 

Happy might be soft curves, angry could be jagged lines, and calm might feel like long, smooth strokes.

Blob Transformation

Make some random ink splats on the page. 

Wait for them to dry, then stare at them… what shapes do you see hiding in those blots? 

Use them as starting points to draw a silly creature, a strange landscape, or whatever your imagination finds!

Doodle Challenge

Grab your sketchbook and just go for it. 

Don’t think too hard, just fill that page with random shapes, patterns, squiggles, and doodles. 

It’s all about letting loose and having some fun.

Texture Collage

Become a texture hunter! 

Find bits of sandpaper, bubble wrap, old magazines – anything with a cool feel. 

Cut out small pieces and glue them into a random design. 

Now study it, and use that collage as inspiration for a drawing full of amazing textures!