"What Should I Draw?" — Koosje Koene (2024)

Do you find yourself often with your sketchbook open, pen in hand, feeling kind of blocked because of the big question that pops up in your mind: “what should I draw?”

In my book, Life Is Better When You Draw It, I dedicated a chapter to this. My mantra is “everything is interesting when you draw it”.
It doesn’t matter what you draw; it matters that you draw.

Our minds play tricks with us - we forget why we wanted to draw in the first place (because you love doing it), and start thinking we should find a meaningful subject to draw or that the drawing should have some kind of message that matters to the whole wide world (even though you’re not planning to share it with anyone).

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 and .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.

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.

Don’t take it all too seriously. It’s just pen and paper, and making art is fun!

Now that I got that out of the way, you might still be looking for tips to get you going.

Here’s a list of 25 suggestions that could be helpful:

  1. Draw a self portrait

  2. Draw your hand in a continuous line

  3. Draw a car or other vehicle

  4. Draw an animal

  5. Go on a mini-adventure by exploring your neighborhood with your sketchbook in hand

  6. Draw people

  7. Draw your feet

  8. Fill a page studying noses, ears, eyes, or mouths

  9. Draw what you’re wearing

  10. Draw trees and greens

  11. Copy art from an artist who’s art you like

  12. Draw an object that you use every day

  13. Draw a chair

  14. Draw flowers

  15. Draw architecture, buildings or a street scene (on location or from a photo)

  16. Find a photo from your most recent vacation and draw your impression of it

  17. Pick a bunch of things from the kitchen drawer and draw those

  18. Draw what’s in your bag

  19. Draw all your shoes, bags, jewellery or something you collect

  20. Draw toiletries

  21. Draw from (old) family photos

  22. Go on a virtual trip anywhere on Google street view and draw “on location”

  23. When watching TV, grab your sketchbook and draw what you see on screen

  24. Draw your meal or illustrated a recipe

  25. Find a sketch pal and go on a date (via video call or IRL)

You’re welcome!

"What Should I Draw?" — Koosje Koene (2024)

FAQs

What should I dra2? ›

More Fun Things to Draw
  • Cityscapes.
  • Landscapes.
  • Cartoon characters.
  • Vehicles.
  • 3D forms.
  • Ghosts.
  • Horses.
  • Butterflies.

What's the best thing to draw? ›

Here's a list of 25 suggestions that could be helpful:
  • Draw a self portrait.
  • Draw your hand in a continuous line.
  • Draw a car or other vehicle.
  • Draw an animal.
  • Go on a mini-adventure by exploring your neighborhood with your sketchbook in hand.
  • Draw people.
  • Draw your feet.
  • Fill a page studying noses, ears, eyes, or mouths.
Aug 3, 2023

What is the hardest thing to draw? ›

What are the hardest things to draw? Some of the most challenging things to draw include facial expressions, foreshortening of the human body, drapery folds, drawings based on your ideas instead of a direct reference, hands, movement, and gestures.

What should a 9 year old draw? ›

Drawing Projects
  • drawing feathers. Feathers are the perfect medium to explore mark making and experimentation.
  • drawing toys inspired by Gwen John. Make drawings of pupils favourite toys.
  • communal drawing. Explore what it's like to draw on fabric and make a communal drawing.
  • life drawing for children.

How to pick what to draw? ›

5 Tips on How to Pick a Subject to Draw
  1. Think about what interests you. If you're passionate about your subject, your feelings will come through in your work. ...
  2. Choose something that is challenging. ...
  3. Don't be afraid to experiment. ...
  4. Be patient. ...
  5. Don't give up!

What to draw 100 ideas? ›

100 Cool Drawing Ideas
  • A fern.
  • Your favorite animal.
  • A succulent.
  • An animal that has gone extinct.
  • A mountain.
  • An animal that lives underground.
  • A strange cloud formation.
  • A body of water.

Is it hard to draw realistic? ›

Realism is one of the most impressive forms of art, which is why plenty of artists take up the style. It's particularly hard to perfect and takes a significant amount of practice, but here's beginners can start learning how to draw realistic art straight away.

Is drawing a hard talent? ›

Anyone can learn to draw or paint with enough practice. Some of the most famous artists in history were not born with talent, but they practiced regularly and became great artists. There are a number of ways to practice, such as taking classes, watching tutorials, or practicing on your own.

Can a 12 year old draw? ›

Children between the ages of 6 and 7 were able to draw almost one correct shape in their drawing. This ability remained stable until the age of 12. At 12 years of age, children were able to draw at least two correct shapes in their drawings.

Is 13 too old to learn how do you draw? ›

Like any skill it is never too late to learn an art or a craft. However what stops most people at later ages is the lack of time to commit to something consistently especially if the hobby doesn't feel like it “gives back”. And as a note, 14 is the perfect time to start.

Can I learn to draw at 14? ›

Anyone can learn to draw at any age. It takes time, practice and patience. That kid in your class who could draw better than everyone else? (Maybe that was you?)

What is dra2 reading levels? ›

Students reading engagement, oral fluency, comprehension/printed language concepts are rated at four levels: Intervention, Instructional, Independent and Advanced. Students rated at an “independent” or “advanced” level are considered proficient.

What to draw when you don't know what to draw? ›

5 Sources for what to draw when you don't know what to draw.
  1. Household items. Take a look around your house. ...
  2. People. If you're the sketch on the go type, draw quick sketches of people on the bus or in a coffee shop. ...
  3. Urban sketching. Go outside or look out your window. ...
  4. Reference photos. ...
  5. Drawing prompts.
May 5, 2022

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