Not sure what to draw today?
Same. And it happens a lot. Fortunately, there’s a solution! However, it’s probably not as straightforward as you’re hoping.
Yes, you can jump straight down to my list of 50 drawing ideas for when you don’t know what to draw, but that’s generally only the solution if you’re just completely out of ideas. However, running out of ideas is rarely the reason an artist “doesn’t know what to draw.”
So, that begs the question:
What’s Stopping You from Drawing?
In short, it’s likely one of the following:
- High expectations you set on yourself
- Desire to be better than you perceive yourself
- Lack of motivation
- You’re truly out of ideas
Let’s answer each of the things potentially stopping you from drawing by providing a solution for each.
High Expectations
This is probably the toughest one to crack, but not at all impossible. Artists are known for setting near-unachievable expectations for themselves and every piece they create. It’s the #1 reason an artist might experience staring at a blank piece of paper for minutes to hours before putting in the first stroke of the pencil.
This one is internal, which means that no one else can overcome the hurdle for you. However, at risk of sounding cliche, my advice to you is to just go for it. If you don’t already have something in mind that you plan to draw, just pick something random. It can be one of the drawing ideas I have below, or it can be something you find online. What matters is that you start.
Desire to be Better
I can relate to this one a lot. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at drawings from others and thought to myself “if only I was THAT good. Then I’d NEVER struggle to draw.” But that’s not true. Even the most skilled artists are often their worst critics, and can have the same longing feelings you do towards an artist they believe is better than them.
The truth is that you will never be good enough to satisfy that voice inside of you saying that you could (or should) be better. You will never attain the perfection that it seeks. But that’s OK! In fact, it’s great! Perfection would mean there is no more learning, growing, or improving. You’d never again experience a “wow, this is the best piece I’ve ever created,” because every piece would already be “the best”. Just continue to draw, learn, and draw some more.
Not Feeling Motivated
Ah yes, the demotivation monster. We’ve all encountered him, and he’s taken down many an artist. But all is not lost! This one is a fairly big point, which is why I have an entire article dedicated to getting yourself motivated to draw or paint.
If you’re short on time and need a single tip, I’d recommend watching some videos of other people drawing or painting. For me, this is one of the best ways to get me motivated and on the right track again
Out of Ideas
Fortunately, this is probably the easiest obstacle to overcome. If this is the reason you’re on this page looking for something to draw, then use the idea table below to find something you’re interested in!
What to Draw When You Don’t Know What to Draw
There’s plenty of software available to generate random drawing prompts, but there’s something about having a good old-fashioned list that puts a smile on my face. Here’s a list of 50 unique ideas for things to draw when you don’t know what to draw:
- People Drawing Ideas
- A street performer playing a unique instrument made out of recycled materials.
- An elderly gardener with a mystical connection to plants, able to make them grow and bloom with a touch.
- A fashion-forward astronaut exploring distant galaxies while wearing a suit adorned with futuristic designs.
- A young archaeologist uncovering ancient artifacts in a hidden jungle temple.
- A scientist conducting groundbreaking experiments in a laboratory filled with swirling colors and energy.
- A street artist with the ability to bring their graffiti creations to life.
- A nomadic traveler roaming the desert on a fantastical creature with shimmering scales and wings.
- A skilled martial artist mastering the art of a unique and mythical fighting style.
- A chef with a magical cookbook, able to create dishes that invoke specific emotions or memories.
- A futuristic firefighter equipped with advanced technology to combat fires in extreme environments.
- Animal Drawing Ideas
- A majestic lion with bioluminescent patterns glowing on its fur.
- A mischievous raccoon with a collection of enchanted trinkets hidden in its secret tree den.
- A wise owl with the ability to grant wishes to those who seek its counsel.
- A tiny hummingbird with mechanical wings capable of generating electricity.
- A group of dolphins with patterns on their skin that reveal hidden messages when they swim together.
- A sly fox with the power to shape-shift into any form it desires.
- A mythical creature combining the features of a horse and a dragon, capable of breathing fire and flying.
- A playful octopus with a vibrant array of colors, each tentacle exhibiting a unique pattern.
- A loyal dog with the extraordinary ability to communicate telepathically with its owner.
- A magical butterfly that leaves a trail of sparkling dust wherever it flies, granting good luck to those it encounters.
- Technology Drawing Ideas
- A floating city powered by renewable energy sources, sustained by a network of wind turbines and solar panels.
- A time-traveling device resembling a pocket watch, allowing the user to journey to different epochs.
- A virtual reality headset that immerses users in their favorite fictional worlds.
- A robotic companion designed to assist and support elderly individuals with daily tasks.
- A biotech gadget capable of healing wounds and injuries at an accelerated rate.
- A levitating skateboard propelled by electromagnetic energy.
- A holographic communication device that allows people to interact with virtual avatars in real-time.
- A self-sustaining eco-house with walls made of living plants, providing fresh air and natural insulation.
- A teleportation device that instantly transports individuals from one location to another.
- A high-tech exoskeleton that enhances the wearer’s strength and agility, resembling a suit of futuristic armor.
- Star Wars Drawing Ideas
- A steampunk version of Han Solo flying a spaceship through space filled with floating asteroids.
- Princess Leia as a Jedi Knight, wielding a lightsaber and leading a charge towards a robotic empire.
- Cyberpunk Darth Vader surrounded by neon lights and futuristic cityscapes.
- A crossover between Star Wars and Jurassic Park, with a lightsaber-wielding Jedi coming face-to-face with a T-rex.
- A group of enlightened Ewoks embarking on an adventure in their own spaceship.
- Rey harnesses the power of the Force to manipulate time and alter the course of history.
- A Jedi academy populated by a diverse group of alien students. Add one in the drawing that is either subtly or clearly destined to be seduced by the dark side.
- A reinterpretation of Yoda as a guardian of a mystical forest, surrounded by sentient trees and ancient knowledge.
- Kylo Ren and Darth Maul teaming up to take on a horde of never-before-seen creatures
- A crossover between Star Wars and Harry Potter, where “Jedi” and “Sith” are two available houses at a school of wizardry
- Outlandish Drawing Ideas
- An interdimensional bakery where pastries come to life and engage in whimsical adventures.”
- A secret society of time-traveling librarians who protect and preserve lost knowledge throughout history.
- A cityscape made entirely of candy, where inhabitants live in gingerbread houses and lollipop towers.
- A group of sentient clouds with distinct personalities, floating through the sky and creating unique formations.
- A tribe of shape-shifting artists who can transform into their own artistic creations at will.
- A hidden realm inhabited by friendly talking rocks that reveal cryptic messages when touched.
- A robotic orchestra where each instrument is played by tiny mechanical creatures
- A futuristic sport played on levitating hoverboards, combining elements of roller derby, quidditch, and parkour.
- A group of alien chefs who travel the galaxy, preparing extraordinary dishes using ingredients from different planets.
- A surreal carnival on a forgotten asteroid, featuring gravity-defying roller coasters and fantastical sideshow attractions.
If you like any of these and decided to draw any, I’d love to share it on the site! Please reach out via my contact form or leave a comment with details on where I can find it to share!
Still Need Help?
I’m not naive enough to think that this page will help everyone that finds it. However, there’s other resources that you can check out if you still need some ideas.
List of Drawing Prompt Generators
Here’s 5 randoms drawing prompt generators you could use to provide you with more ideas
- https://artprompts.org/
- https://drawingprompt.com/
- https://yourartpath.com/art-prompt-generator
- https://www.coolgenerator.com/drawing-idea-generator
- https://randomthingstodo.com/draw
A Video That Helped Me Personally
The YouTube channel “Jazza” (formerly “Draw with Jazza”) has a great video covering many of the things I discuss on here. Here’s the video, and I hope it helps you as much as it helped me!