150+ Drawing Prompts That Will Blow Your Mind!

What are the drawing prompts?

Drawing prompts are simple phrases, words, or ideas that inspire artists to create new artwork. They serve as a creative springboard, challenging artists to think outside the box and explore themes, styles, and techniques. From everyday objects to abstract concepts, drawing prompts can ignite the imagination and spark artistic growth.

Exploring Different Categories of Drawing Prompts

Still Life Drawing Prompts:

1. Draw a mysterious doorway or staircase.
2. Draw an empty room. Make it interesting.
3. Draw a flower. Make it dangerous.
4. Draw an object that is melting.
5. Draw a gumball machine that dispenses anything but gumballs.
6. Draw what’s under your bed (real or imagined).
7. Draw the most incredible game of hide-and-seek you can imagine.
8. Create a new sport by combining existing sports or inventing something completely new.
9. Illustrate the gradual transformation of a pair of scissors into another object.
10. Choose an enclosed space and depict what objects do when no one is watching.
11. Illustrate a dream using only 5 symbols.
12. Draw what you would see if you grew wings and flew over your town.
13. Draw a vehicle of your design, like a car, spaceship, or bicycle.

Nature-Inspired Drawing Prompts:

1. Draw a simple map of your favorite locations in your neighborhood.
2. Sketch or paint a still life of objects from around your house.
3. Paint a scene from your favorite film.
4. Illustrate each letter of the alphabet using botanical forms.
5. Draw a flower from your garden in detail.
6. Draw something using only dots (pointillist technique).
7. Sit in a city and sketch the architecture.
8. Illustrate a childhood memory.
9. Paint your favorite flower using ink.
10. Draw a shell or driftwood from the beach.
11. Sketch plants that catch your eye at the Botanical Gardens.
12. Create an abstract composition of different colored shapes.
13. Paint a watercolor of the sky.
14. Draw a scene inspired by the season you’re in.
15. Listen to classical music and paint what you imagine.

Everyday life drawing prompts :

Here are some drawing prompts for sketching everyday life:

• Draw your morning routine—what do you do when you first wake up?
• Sketch the view from your window.
• Draw something you use or handle frequently, like your phone or a pen.
• Illustrate your favorite snack or drink.
• Sketch the clothes you are wearing today.
• Illustrate a repetitive event that happens daily, like a bus or train arriving.
• Draw something new or different that happened today compared to your usual routine
• Sketch a random or silly thing that occurred during your day.
• Draw an object or scene that you think will be a memorable part of your day.

Emotional drawing prompts

• Draw a self-portrait expressing a specific emotion like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, etc.
• Illustrate a time you felt a strong emotion and how it affected your body and facial expression.
• Create a series of sketches showing the progression of an emotion from start to finish.
• Draw an imaginary creature or character that represents a particular feeling.
• Sketch an abstract design or pattern that visually conveys a mood or sentiment.

Experiences drawing prompts

• Draw a scene from a memorable experience in your life.
• Illustrate a dream you recently had, either realistic or surreal.
• Sketch a place you’ve traveled to and the sights, sounds, and smells you remember.
• Draw a significant life event like a graduation, wedding, birth, etc.
• Illustrate a hobby or activity you enjoy and the feelings it evokes
• Sketch a challenge you overcame and how you felt before, during, and after
• Draw a moment of connection with another person and the emotions you shared
• Illustrate a time you were inspired by something or someone

Emotions Drawing Prompts:

1. Draw a self-portrait expressing a complex emotion like bittersweetness.
2. Illustrate the feeling of nostalgia without using any recognizable objects.
3. Draw a character experiencing a moment of pure joy.
4. Create a visual representation of the concept of resilience.
5. Illustrate the sensation of being overwhelmed by emotions.
6. Draw a scene that captures the essence of tranquility.
7. Depict the feeling of anticipation before a significant event.
8. Create a series of drawings showing the progression from sadness to hope.
9. Illustrate the concept of inner peace through imagery.
10. Draw a character experiencing a moment of self-discovery.

Experiences Drawing Prompts:

1. Illustrate a memorable moment from your childhood.
2. Draw a scene from a dream that left a lasting impression on you.
3. Create a visual representation of a significant life milestone.
4. Illustrate a moment of personal growth or transformation.
5. Draw a scene that captures the essence of a favorite travel memory.
6. Depict a moment of connection or understanding between two people.
7. Create a series of drawings that tell a story without words.
8. Illustrate a moment of courage or bravery.
9. Draw a scene that represents a challenge you have overcome.
10. Capture the feeling of being in a place that feels like home.

Drawing prompts for kids

Imaginary Creatures

• Design your unique monster or alien with 3 eyes, 4 arms, and colorful scales
• Draw a friendly dragon that breathes rainbow fire
• Sketch a magical unicorn with butterfly wings
• Silly Scenes
• Illustrate a picnic in outer space with astronauts and aliens
• Draw a pirate ship sailing on a sea of ice cream
• Sketch a treehouse with a water slide and a trampoline

Favorite Things

• Draw your favorite animal and give it a silly hat or outfit
• Illustrate your dream bedroom filled with toys and games
• Sketch your favorite food and turn it into a funny face

Storybook Scenes

• Draw a scene from your favorite fairy tale or story
• Illustrate a new friend for a classic character like Winnie the Pooh
• Sketch a new adventure for a beloved book hero like Curious George

Nature Wonders

• Draw a garden with giant flowers taller than houses
• Illustrate a forest with talking trees and friendly woodland creatures
• Sketch a deep sea scene with mermaids and colorful coral reefs

oc drawing prompts

• Draw a happy animal
• Draw an airplane
• Draw a simple sunset
• Create an insect
• Draw a character
• Illustrate a simple flower
• Draw a doll dancing
• Draw a castle
• Capture an image in the sky
• Draw a bridge
• Draw something you love
• Draw your best friend
• Draw your family
• Draw your pet
• Draw your teacher
• Draw your hero
• Create your bedroom
• Draw something big you saw today
• Draw something small you saw today

funny drawing prompts

Here are some more funny and creative drawing prompt ideas to get your imagination flowing:

Silly Scenarios

• Draw a group of squirrels having a tea party
• Sketch a dog walking a person on a leash
• Illustrate a cat chasing a laser pointer beam
• Design a robot to clean a messy room

Unexpected Combinations

• Draw a hot dog with legs and a chef’s hat
• Sketch a banana wearing sunglasses and a bowtie
• Illustrate a toaster surfing on a piece of toast
• Design a hamburger with a mind of its own

Anthropomorphic Animals

• Draw a flock of geese playing a game of soccer
• Sketch a school of fish learning math equations
• Illustrate a herd of elephants having a dance party
• Design a pride of lions putting on a circus show

Topsy-Turvy Worlds

• Draw a city with buildings upside down
• Sketch a forest with trees growing sideways
• Illustrate an ocean with fish swimming in the sky
• Design a planet with two sons and three moons

Punny Pairings

• Draw a pair of socks playing a guitar duo
• Sketch a group of puns having a pun-direful time
• Illustrate a bunch of grapes wearing grape sunglasses
• Design a bowl of cereal with a spoon doing a handstand

Tips and Techniques for Using Drawing Prompts:

Here are some key tips and techniques for effectively using drawing prompts to spark creativity and improve your drawing skills:

Embrace Failure and Mistakes

• Understand that making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process. Avoid getting discouraged and see errors as opportunities to grow.
• Be willing to take risks and push your boundaries when drawing prompts. 
• Avoid playing it safe.

Start Small and Build Confidence

• If a prompt feels too daunting, start with something simpler. Gradually work your way up to more challenging subject matter.
• Doodle abstract shapes and patterns to warm up, then move on to simple cartoons and representational drawings.

Focus on Ideas Over Techniques

• Prioritize developing strong ideas and concepts when using prompts. Techniques can be improved over time.
• Use prompts to discover subjects and themes you’re passionate about exploring further.

Experiment with Different Approaches

• Don’t just draw the first literal interpretation of a prompt. Brainstorm multiple ideas and approaches.
• Combine unexpected elements for humorous or surprising results. Mash up genres, periods, characters, etc.

Use Prompts to Expand Your Skills

• Choose prompts that challenge you to draw subjects or use techniques you could be more comfortable with.
• Prompts can help you break out of creative ruts and discover new directions for your art.

Enjoy the Process

• Remember that drawing prompts are meant to be fun and spark your imagination3. Don’t stress about making perfect drawings.
• Use prompts as a way to play, explore, and discover new creative possibilities

Beyond the Page: Taking Drawing Prompts Further

Drawing prompts can go beyond paper and canvas, inspiring artists to explore new creative outlets. From digital illustrations to three-dimensional sculptures, artists can experiment with different mediums and techniques to bring their ideas to life.

Additional Tips

• Stay consistent: Make drawing prompts a regular part of your creative practice to stay motivated and inspired.
• Join a drawing prompt challenge: Participate in online challenges or communities to connect with other artists and share your work.
• Have fun: Remember that drawing prompts are meant to spark joy and creativity, so don’t be afraid to have fun and experiment with different ideas.