Finding inspiration for drawing can sometimes be challenging, but there are many ways to spark your creativity and get new ideas. Here are some tips to help you find inspiration for your next drawing:
- Observe Your Surroundings
Look around you and observe the details in your environment. Everyday objects, nature, and people can all serve as sources of inspiration. Pay attention to the shapes, colors, and textures around you. - Keep a Sketchbook
Carry a sketchbook with you and make quick sketches of things that catch your eye. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just a way to capture ideas and practice your drawing skills. Over time, you’ll build a collection of ideas to draw from. - Use Prompts
Drawing prompts can help jump-start your creativity. You can find prompt lists online or create your own. For example, draw something related to a specific word, theme, or concept. - Explore Different Themes
Experiment with various themes such as fantasy, science fiction, nature, portraits, or abstract art. Trying different themes can help you discover new interests and styles. - Look at Other Art
Studying the work of other artists can be incredibly inspiring. Visit museums, galleries, or online art communities. Pay attention to the techniques and styles that resonate with you and try incorporating elements into your own work. - Challenge Yourself
Set yourself challenges or goals, such as drawing every day for a month, trying a new medium, or focusing on a particular subject. Challenges can motivate you to push your boundaries and explore new ideas. - Draw from Your Imagination
Let your imagination run wild and create scenes, characters, or abstract designs that come to mind. Drawing from imagination can be a fun and freeing experience. - Use Reference Images
Reference images can be helpful when drawing specific subjects or improving your skills. Look for high-quality images in books, magazines, or online, and use them as a guide for your drawings. - Join an Art Community
Being part of an art community, whether online or in person, can provide support, feedback, and inspiration. Share your work, participate in group projects, and learn from other artists. - Take Breaks and Relax
Sometimes taking a break and relaxing can help clear your mind and bring new ideas. Don’t be too hard on yourself if inspiration doesn’t come immediately. Give yourself time and space to recharge.
By exploring these tips, you’ll find numerous ways to ignite your creativity and discover what to draw next. Remember, inspiration can come from anywhere, so keep an open mind and enjoy the process of creating art.
Help Yourself or Your Child with Creative Expression
Children often ask adults what they should draw, and it can be challenging to constantly come up with new ideas. Here is a list of drawing suggestions to inspire creativity, and of course, adults are welcome to join in too.
These ideas are great for both beginners learning to draw and for those who are more experienced, regardless of skill level.
Draw a Unicorn
If you’re unsure what to draw, a unicorn is a fantastic creature to start with. They are often beautiful and magical, and unicorns also have a rich history. Help your child research unicorns so they can draw one that is both beautiful and interesting. Alternatively, you can use an art school’s unicorn template for your child to color.
Draw a Turtle
The turtle is another creature that is fascinating to draw. They are often slow and quiet, and they have a long lifespan. Teach your child about turtles so they can draw one that is both beautiful and interesting. You can learn to draw a turtle here: Easy Drawing for Kids: How to Draw a Turtle in 9 Steps
Draw a Tree
Trees are beautiful and important for nature. They also have a long history, and many people have a deep connection to trees. Help your child research trees so they can draw one that is both beautiful and interesting.
Remember that a tree has roots it stands on, a trunk, branches, twigs, and leaves – so a tree is actually a very detailed drawing to create.
Draw an Adventure
If your child is lost in adventures, let them draw their favorite scene from one of these stories. Adventures are often filled with excitement, and there are no limits to what your child can draw. It’s cozy to listen to a story while drawing, so grab that thick fairy tale book and enjoy yourselves together.
Draw a Pet
Pets are always a hit, especially if your child loves having them. Most children have a favorite pet, so let them draw their favorite animal. If your child doesn’t have a pet, they can draw what they dream of having.
Animals you or your child can draw:
- Dogs
- Horses
- Cats
- Birds like penguins
- Monkeys
- Lions
- Beetles
- Flies
- Spiders
- Fish
Inspiration for Your or Your Child’s Creativity
- Draw a person or an animal that you can find in nature. This could be a bird, an insect, or a plant.
- Draw something you can find in your everyday life. This could be something from your room, your school, or your city.
- Draw something from your imagination. This could be a dragon, a monster, or another fun creature.
- Draw something you find beautiful. This could be a flower, a sunset, or something completely different.
- Draw something you’re happy about. This could be something you’ve made, something you own, or something you’ve experienced.
- Draw something that makes you sad. This could be something you’ve lost, something you miss, or something you’d like to have.
- Draw something that scares you. This could be an insect, an animal, or something completely different.
- Draw something you’ve always dreamed of doing. This could be a painting, a book, or something completely different.
- Draw something you think is dangerous. This could be a sword, a spider, or something completely different.
- Draw something you find fun. This could be a game, a sport, or something completely different.
Easy Things to Draw
- House
- Flowers
- Mountains
- Aquarium
- Cities from above
- The sky
- Superheroes
Difficult Things to Draw
- Drawing faces (portraits)
- Eyebrows
- People
- Princesses
- Furniture
- Cars
- Puzzles
- Perspective
Drawing Figures in Motion
One of the most fun things to draw is figures in motion. It could be a person running, a car driving, a bird flying, or an animal jumping. Motion brings drawings to life and energy. So let your child draw figures in motion and see how creative they can be.
Now you have a wide range of ideas for what you can creatively engage with, with your pencils and colors. From here, you can probably come up with all sorts of thought processes that can inspire the work you need to produce. The hardest part might be choosing among all the exciting possibilities when there are infinitely many.
Enjoy your drawings.
