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Getting started on your artistic journey can feel... a bit overwhelming. While you've got the passion and creativity within you, seeing so many incredible artists already online can make it seem like you need years of practice before creating anything worthwhile.
But here's the truth: everyone starts with the basics. And luckily, there are plenty of easy drawing ideas for beginners that can help you build confidence while developing your skills. Why go big and scare yourself out of your passion when you can start with small, consistent, and creative wins?
Whether picking up a pencil for the first time or exploring digital art with a drawing tablet, the key is to start simple and have fun. Read on to explore 10 beginner-friendly drawing ideas that anyone can try, and share some essential tips to help you start your creative journey.
Before diving into specific drawing ideas, let's set you up for success with some fundamental tips that will make your artistic journey more enjoyable and productive. Best of all, these work - whether you're putting pencil to paper or learning how to draw on a modern drawing tablet!
Creating art is much easier when you have a comfortable, well-organized space to work in. It's hard to let the creative juices flow when you're stuck in a stuffy, cramped space! Here are some tips for finding the perfect drawing practice area:
● Find a well-lit area, preferably with natural light
● Set up a clean, flat surface with plenty of room to move
● Keep your tools within easy reach
● Consider an adjustable desk or drawing board for better posture
● Have reference materials nearby (whether printed or on a device)
While you can start drawing with just a pencil and paper, having the right tools can make your practice more enjoyable and help you progress faster.
Traditional Tools:
● A selection of graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B are great to start)
● A good quality eraser
● Smooth drawing paper
● A pencil sharpener
While pen and paper are enough to get started, why limit yourself to one tool? Xencelabs Pen Tablets collection offer professional-grade features while still being user-friendly for beginners to begin their digital art journey. Xencelabs drawing tablets come in a variety of sizes and sets to provide:
● A comfortable, natural drawing experience
● Pressure sensitivity for varied line weights
● A compact size that won't overwhelm your desk space
● Two pen styles for different drawing habits
Key features worth noting for beginners
● Ergonomic design lets you build your drawings safely - ideal for long drawing sessions with less stress on your joints
● Try the two pens that come with the tablet - a thinner pen and a thicker pen for different usage habits, switch as you like
● Easy-to-use drivers help you quickly adjust various functions to your preferences
● Take advantage of the customizable Quick Keys to set up shortcuts for your most-used tools
>> Buy Xencelabs Quick Keys Separately
For advanced needs and professionals, we recommend digital pen display products, Xencelabs Pen Display 16 and Pen Display 24. You can draw directly on the screen and see every stroke more accurately.
The ultra-clear 4K display quality and 1.07 Billion colors make the drawing experience unparalleled. In terms of ergonomics, you can even use the built-in stand (or purchase an upgraded stand) to adjust its angle for a more natural drawing position and reduce muscle damage caused by long-term work.
Before tackling specific subjects, practice these fundamental skills:
Line Control
● Draw slow, steady lines
● Practice making straight lines freehand
● Try creating smooth curves
● Experiment with different line weights
Basic Shapes
● Master circles, squares, and triangles
● Practice drawing the same shape multiple times
● Try connecting shapes to create simple objects
Shading
● Start with basic gradients
● Practice consistent pressure
● Experiment with different textures
Pro Tip: If you're using a Xencelabs tablet, take advantage of the pressure sensitivity to practice these techniques. Digital tools allow you to experiment freely without worrying about wasting paper or making permanent mistakes!
The Importance of Practice, Patience, and Drawing Skills
Remember that every artist started exactly where you are. The key to improvement isn't natural talent – it's consistent practice. Set aside regular time for drawing, even if it's just 15 minutes a day. Whether you're working traditionally or with a Xencelabs tablet, each drawing session builds your skills and confidence.
1. Basic Geometric Shapes and Basic Shapes
Great for learning: Understanding the building blocks of all drawings and developing steady hand control
Starting with geometric shapes might seem too simple, but these basic forms are the foundation of every complex drawing you create. From circles to squares to triangles, mastering these shapes will train your eye to see the proportions and relationships between objects.
Try drawing each shape multiple times, focusing on consistency and smooth lines. With a Xencelabs tablet, use the pressure sensitivity to practice different line weights—light for initial sketches, firmer for final outlines.
Challenge yourself by combining shapes to create simple objects like houses, robots, or basic cartoon characters.
2. Simple Nature Elements
Great for learning: Organic line work and developing observation skills while staying loose and natural
Nature provides endless inspiration for beginner artists, and starting with leaves and flowers offers a forgiving way to practice. The beauty of natural elements is that they don't need to be perfect—each leaf or flower has its own unique characteristics.
Start with basic leaf shapes, practicing curved lines and simple symmetry. Then, move on to simple flowers with basic petal arrangements. If you're using your Xencelabs tablet, experiment with different brush settings to create varied textures – from sharp, clean lines for stems to softer, more organic strokes for petals.
3. Everyday Objects
Great for learning: Perspective, proportion, and translating 3D objects to 2D drawings
The objects around you make perfect subjects for developing your drawing skills. A coffee mug, a book, or a simple box can teach you fundamental principles of form and shadow while being familiar enough to easily reference.
Choose simple objects with clear shapes to start – a water bottle or a notebook are perfect first subjects. Focus on capturing the basic form before adding details. Digital artists will find the layers feature on their Xencelabs tablet particularly useful here, allowing them to build their drawing from basic shapes to finished details without fear of making mistakes.
4. Basic Animals
Great for learning: Breaking down complex subjects into manageable shapes while capturing personality and movement
Animals are a favorite subject for many artists, and starting with simple versions helps build confidence. Begin with basic head shapes – if you've seen our guide on drawing cat faces, you know how simple shapes can create expressive animal features. Drawing dogs, rabbits, and birds can all start with circles and ovals.
The Xencelabs Pen Display's pressure sensitivity for digital artists is perfect for creating different textures – from soft fur to smooth beaks. Start with simple side views before attempting more complex angles, and remember that even professional artists often use basic shapes to block out their animal drawings first.
5. Simple Food Items
Great for learning: Color theory, shading techniques, and creating appetizing textures
Food is fun to draw and great for practicing shapes and colors. Start with fruits like apples, oranges, bananas – they have simple shapes that are easily recognizable even with basic rendering. A pizza slice or cupcake can teach you geometric and organic shapes in one drawing.
Working digitally with your Xencelabs tablet, you can experiment with different colors without committing to permanent markers or paints. Use layers to build up your food drawings – start with the basic shape, add color, and then add details like sprinkles on a cupcake or pepperoni on a pizza.
6. Basic Landscapes
Great for learning: Composition, depth, and creating a sense of scale in your artwork
Landscapes can seem scary, but starting with simple ones will help you understand how to create depth in your drawings.
Start with a basic horizon line and add simple elements like hills, trees, and clouds. The key is to keep each element simple—a mountain can be just a triangle with a few details. Use a reference photo to help you get the details and proportions of the landscape you are drawing.
Practice depth by making the elements in the foreground bigger and more detailed and the background elements lighter and less defined. Start with daytime scenes before trying more complex lighting like sunsets or stormy skies.
7. Cartoon Faces
Great for learning: Expressing emotions and understanding facial features without the pressure of realism
Cartoon faces are great for beginners because they simplify facial features into basic shapes. Start with a circle for the head, then experiment with different eye shapes, mouth expressions, and eyebrow positions. It's amazing how a few lines can make so many emotions!
Use the Xencelabs tablet's dual pen system to switch between thicker lines for outlines and thinner ones for details. Try drawing the manga or anime faces – you'll be amazed how changing one feature can change the whole mood of your character.
8. Plant Life
Great for learning: Patterns, repetition, and organic shapes while building patience for detail work
Potted plants and succulents offer endless drawing opportunities with their structured yet natural forms.
Start with simple pots—basic cylinders or cone shapes—and then add your plant. Cacti are great for beginners because their shapes are geometric and forgiving, and their spines can be as detailed or as simple as you like.
The pressure sensitivity of your digital tablet pen is great for creating varying line weights in your plant drawings—from bold pot outlines to delicate leaves and stems. Work in layers: Start with the pot, then the main plant body, and then add details like individual leaves or spines.
9. Weather Elements
Great for learning: Creating atmosphere and working with repeating elements
Weather elements like raindrops, snowflakes, and clouds are great for practicing uniformity and randomness in your drawings. These are also forgiving – no two snowflakes are alike, so yours don't have to be either! Start with basic cloud shapes, then experiment with different types of precipitation.
Use the Xencelabs Quick Keys to switch between brushes – one for fluffy clouds and another for sharp raindrops. Practice scenes with multiple elements – a cloudy sky with rain – to see how weather elements work together.
10. Letter Art
Great for learning: Line control, symmetry, and creative embellishment
Start with simple bubble letters, then add decorative elements like shadows, patterns, or flourishes.
The beauty of letter art is that you can make it as simple or complex as you like while working with already familiar shapes. For more inspiration and guidance, look for sketching tips online to help you refine your letter art and explore new styles.
Try drawing your initials or a short word, focusing on basic letter shapes before adding creative elements. Use different layers to experiment with various decorative styles without risking your base letter forms.
What Materials Do I Need to Start Drawing as a Beginner?
For traditional art, start with a set of graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), quality drawing paper, and a good eraser. For digital art, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Small provides everything you need to begin, including software compatibility with major drawing programs. Remember, it's not about having every tool available – it's about making the most of what you have.
How Do You Start Drawing When You're a Complete Beginner?
Start with basic shapes and simple subjects you enjoy. Set aside regular practice time, even if it's just 15 minutes daily. Focus on one fundamental skill at a time – like line control or basic shapes – before moving to more complex subjects. The key is consistency and patience with yourself as you learn.
What Are the Best Resources for Learning to Draw for Beginners?
There are plent of great online resources you can use to learn how to draw as a beginner. YouTube channels focusing on fundamental drawing skills are excellent free resources. Online courses are great for learning the specifics, and you can find a variety of excellent online communities to join as well!
Beginning your artistic journey doesn't have to be intimidating – with these easy drawing ideas for beginners, you can build your skills one simple sketch at a time.
Remember that every artist, from ancient masters to modern professionals, started with basic shapes and simple subjects. The key isn't perfection but progress, and each drawing you create helps develop your unique artistic voice.
Ready to begin your creative journey? Explore the Xencelabs lineup of drawing tablets and discover how digital tools can enhance your artistic development. With the right tools and a willingness to learn, you're already on your way to creating artwork you'll be proud of!
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