100+ Sketchbook Drawing Ideas: What to Draw in a Sketchbook - Beechmore Books (2024)

Staring at a blank page in your sketchbook can be intimidating, even for seasoned artists. The possibilities are endless, and sometimes that's the problem. But what if I told you that filling your sketchbook doesn't have to be a struggle? That you can turn everyday objects into works of art, or let your imagination run wild with creative prompts?

As an artist for over a decade, I've faced my fair share of creative blocks. But through trial and error (and countless filled sketchbooks), I've discovered that the key to consistent drawing is having a go-to list of ideas. And today, I want to share that list with you.

Get ready to say goodbye to blank page anxiety and hello to a sketchbook bursting with creativity. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these drawing ideas will help you explore new techniques, styles, and subjects. So grab your pencil, and let's get started!

Table Of Contents:

• What to Draw in a Sketchbook
  • Daily Life Inspiration
  • Nature and Landscapes
• 100 Sketchbook Drawing Ideas to Spark Your Creativity
  • Technical Skill Development
  • Open-Ended Themes
  • Challenging Yourself
• Everyday Objects and Scenes to Draw in Your Sketchbook
  • Look at Other Drawings for Inspiration
  • Listen to Music Without Lyrics
• Sketchbook Drawing Ideas for People and Portraits
  • Capturing Emotions and Expressions
  • Drawing Hands and Feet
• Landscape and Perspective Drawing Ideas for Your Sketchbook
  • Two-Point Perspective Challenges
  • Drawing Landscapes from Memory
• Imaginative and Creative Sketchbook Drawing Prompts
  • Creating Imaginary Worlds
  • Combining Everyday Objects in Unusual Ways
• Sketchbook Drawing Exercises to Improve Your Skills
  • Practicing Shading Techniques
  • Experimenting with Line Quality
• Tips for Overcoming Creative Blocks and Filling Your Sketchbook
  • Joining Drawing Challenges
  • Embracing Imperfections
• Conclusion

What to Draw in a Sketchbook

Filling the blank pages of your Beechmore Books Large Sketchbook can be an exhilarating yet daunting task. Whether you're an artist, student, designer, or drawing enthusiast, discovering new subjects and themes to sketch is essential for continuous creativity and skill development. Here are some inspiring ideas that cater to our target audience's passion for quality and artistic expression.

Daily Life Inspiration

Capture the essence of everyday life by sketching scenes around you. From bustling city streets to tranquil parks, find beauty in the mundane. This practice not only improves observation skills but also adds a personal touch to your artwork. For more inspiration on capturing daily life through sketches, check out this insightful article on the art of daily life sketching.

Nature and Landscapes

Nature offers an endless palette of colors, textures, and forms waiting to be explored with your pencil or brush. Try visiting local gardens or natural reserves; these places can provide unique landscapes that challenge your perspective and technique. Additionally, plein air painting tips for beginners can help you get started with outdoor drawing sessions.

Abstract Ideas & Concepts

If realism isn't your style or if you're looking for something less conventional—dive into abstract art! Experiment with shapes, lines, patterns, and colors without focusing on creating recognizable objects. This freedom allows artists at all levels to explore their inner emotions and thoughts creatively.For those interested in abstract art but unsure where to start, this guide on how to make abstract artmakes it accessible for everyone.

Anatomy Studies & Character Design

An excellent way for students and designers alike to improve is by practicing anatomy studies. Understanding human form enhances both realistic drawings and character design capabilities.Websites like Line of Action offer figure drawing tools, which are fantastic resources for honing these skills from anywhere.

• Birds Eye View: Practice seeing things from different perspectives by imagining what scenes look like from above.

100 Sketchbook Drawing Ideas to Spark Your Creativity

Looking for some fresh sketchbook ideas to get those creative juices flowing? You've come to the right place. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, these drawing prompts will challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and sharpen your skills.

Technical Skill Development

Award-winning designers and workshop leaders Mark Baskinger and William Bardel bring us this thorough course in drawing to create better graphic layouts, diagrams, human forms, products, systems, and more. Their drawing bootcamp provides essential instruction on thinking, reasoning, and visually exploring concepts to create compelling products, communications, and services. Forget about trying to come up with an important story, or an original idea. It's better if you don't. Just start drawing before thoughts can pop up that create expectations or prevent you from getting started at all. If you keep filling up a page (or even just a corner of it) in your sketchbook, with whatever catches your eye, those pages will add up to a story about you, about your life. And because it's done in your handwriting, your style - it is special and original. Nobody but you can make the drawing you make. Even if you don't love the drawing. It'll be part of many drawings in your sketchbook and of your beautiful unique story.

Open-Ended Themes

Some topics for your sketchbook:

• Draw your car instead of washing it.
• Draw every item on the grocery shopping list – you'll have a much more fun shopping list once you are going to the store.

Challenging Yourself

As a beginner, the main goals I have in mind for this sketchbook adventure are twofold:

1. Draw things that pique my interest and are just plain fun.
2. Dive deep into the fundamentals of art to help in my growth as an artist.

Everyday Objects and Scenes to Draw in Your Sketchbook

You don't have to look far for interesting sketchbook ideas. Inspiration is all around you in the everyday objects and scenes you encounter. By not spending too much time deciding what to draw, you gain drawing time - which means more enjoyment of your creative time. It can be meditative, and you will learn with each drawing as well. About your skills, techniques, the subject, and yourself.

Look at Other Drawings for Inspiration

Use your sketchbook to find your own drawing style and share it with others. Browse sites like Instagram or Pinterest to see how other artists approach their sketchbooks for a dose of inspiration.

Listen to Music Without Lyrics

Put on some instrumental tunes and let your mind wander as you fill the pages. Classical music, jazz, or even movie soundtracks can set the mood and get you in the zone for some focused sketching time.

Sketchbook Drawing Ideas for People and Portraits

Ready to level up your portrait drawing skills? Grab a mirror, a willing model, or work from a photo to practice capturing likenesses and expressions. Dive deep into the individual features that make up the human face. Fill a page with studies of eyes, noses, mouths and ears to really understand their forms before putting it all together in a complete portrait.

Capturing Emotions and Expressions

The human face is capable of an incredible range of expressions. Challenge yourself to convey different emotions in your portrait sketches, from subtle and pensive to big, exaggerated reactions.

Drawing Hands and Feet

Don't neglect the extremities. Hands and feet can be tricky, but they add so much to a drawing. Practice sketching your own from different angles, or enlist a friend to model for you.

Landscape and Perspective Drawing Ideas for Your Sketchbook

Take your sketchbook outside or work from photos to practice capturing the world around you. These drawing prompts will help you master perspective and create a sense of depth in your drawings. Start with the basics and work on one-point perspective drawings of simple geometric shapes like cubes and cylinders. Once you've got the hang of it, try sketching a street scene or interior using one-point perspective.

Two-Point Perspective Challenges

Ready for a tougher perspective challenge? Practice two-point perspective by drawing buildings or cityscapes. Pay attention to how the lines converge towards two vanishing points on the horizon line.

Drawing Landscapes from Memory

Test your observation skills by drawing a landscape from memory. Take a good look at a scene, then turn away and try to capture the key elements in your sketchbook. It's a great way to train your eye and practice simplifying complex scenes.

Imaginative and Creative Sketchbook Drawing Prompts

Let your imagination run wild with these creative drawing ideas. The sky's the limit, so don't be afraid to get a little weird and have fun with it. Invent a cast of characters to star in your sketchbook. Draw them in different poses and situations, and give them unique personalities and backstories.

Creating Imaginary Worlds

Unleash your inner J.R.R. Tolkien or George Lucas and create your own fantasy world. Draw maps, landscapes, creatures, and architecture to bring your imaginary realm to life on the pages of your sketchbook.

Combining Everyday Objects in Unusual Ways

Take ordinary objects and reimagine them in surreal or unexpected combinations. A teapot with legs? A book with wings? The weirder, the better. It's a fun way to stretch your creative muscles and come up with unique drawing ideas.

Sketchbook Drawing Exercises to Improve Your Skills

These drawing exercises are designed to help you loosen up, experiment with different techniques, and see your subjects in a new way. You will need a sketchbook, a pencil or ink pen, an eraser, a ruler and watercolors or markers. Don't be afraid to mix it up and try new materials. Experiment with charcoal, pastels, colored pencils, or even digital drawing tools to find what works best for you.

Practicing Shading Techniques

Good shading can take your drawings from flat to fully realized. Practice different shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending to add depth and dimension to your sketches.

Experimenting with Line Quality

Not all lines are created equal. Experiment with different line weights, textures, and styles to add interest and variety to your drawings. Try continuous line drawings, blind contour drawings, or using your non-dominant hand to shake things up.

Tips for Overcoming Creative Blocks and Filling Your Sketchbook

Staring at a blank page can be intimidating, but don't let that stop you from making art. Here are some tips to help you overcome creative blocks and make the most of your sketchbook practice. Now, without further ado, let's dive into my top 9 favorite ways to fill up my sketchbook. Set small, achievable goals for yourself, like filling one page a day or trying a new drawing prompt each week. Consistency is key, so make sketching a daily habit.

Joining Drawing Challenges

This course is for anyone who wants to improve their illustration technique through the consistent use of a sketchbook. From novice to experienced illustrators, and all those in search of developing their creative drawing process. Joining a drawing challenge can give you structure, accountability, and a built-in community of fellow artists to learn from and share with.

Embracing Imperfections

A sketchbook has many pages, so don't be too precious about them. Sometimes you may feel hesitant to start a drawing, because what if you mess up? Embrace the imperfections and happy accidents. Every sketch is an opportunity to learn and grow, so don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Conclusion

Filling your sketchbook with these creative drawing ideas is just the beginning of your artistic journey. Remember, your sketchbook is a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and grow as an artist. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Keep your sketchbook with you wherever you go, and you'll never run out of inspiration for what to draw. From quick sketches to detailed studies, every drawing is an opportunity to improve your skills and develop your unique style.

So go ahead, fill those blank pages with your wildest ideas and watch your creativity soar. Happy sketching!