Creative ideas for drawing. What can you draw when you're bored?

What can you draw with a regular pencil? Yes, exactly the one that everyone used at school. Children's drawing, sketch or diagram? Do you know that there is a whole art in which the main thing is actor, or rather the object, is an ordinary gray stylus. with a simple pencil - there is room for human imagination.

Unusual art

One of the most accessible, but at the same time incredibly complex types of graphics is drawing with a simple pencil. It would seem that this is an ordinary object for us? It turns out that there is a lot. Some museums and exhibitions can boast of having an entire hall in which pencil drawings are presented. They display a wide variety of drawing ideas that came to famous artists at the moment of inspiration.

The unsurpassed play of shadows and maximum resemblance to the original fascinate and captivate. Looking at some masterpieces, it is very difficult to imagine that this can be depicted with an ordinary gray stylus. It seems that this is certainly a work done in the best way, but you can’t draw such a miracle with a simple pencil! However, if you look closely, it is no longer possible to hold back an admiring sigh.

Required materials

If you think that to create such a masterpiece you need a lot of materials, then you are very mistaken. To complete a drawing, you need to have landscape sheets, a set of pencils, an eraser and a sharpener. And, of course, ideas for drawings. If you have no idea what you want to reproduce, the result will be disastrous. Or rather, this result will not happen at all.

For more complex work, of course, choose a snow-white, slightly rough sheet of paper, on which every stroke will be clear and noticeable. Ready-made kits are sold in specialized stores simple pencils, but you can buy the most common ones. They should differ in the level of softness or hardness. The appropriate markings are certainly indicated on them. This gradation is needed to create shadows, without which even the most daring ideas for pencil drawings are doomed to failure.

You also cannot do without a sharp one, which will create the necessary sharpness of the rod. It is advisable to have several erasers that will erase failed or extra lines according to the type of pencil.

For work at a professional level, you will need an easel, since it is better to create a picture in a vertical position. In this case, the tool will easily slide across the paper, accurately conveying the smoothness of the lines.

How to hold the instrument correctly?

To create a masterpiece, you need to master the correct grip of a pencil. It needs to be held in the palm of your hand, pressing. This grip should be developed, but after getting used to it, the results will be more obvious. In art schools, the first few lessons are devoted to the skill of holding a pencil.

Of course, the simplest pencil drawings do not require special skills. They can be created by holding the instrument like a pen when writing. After all, there is a risk of smearing simple drawings It simply cannot be: their lines are clear and there is no play of shadows. But still, if you want to learn how to draw professionally, you should hold the instrument masterfully from the first attempts.

Simple pencil drawings

The simplest techniques are children's drawings. They are completely simple to perform and can be drawn in several stages. But it is with them that you can begin to develop artistic talent kids or try your hand at graphics.

Drawing ideas for children are varied. These are birds, animals, cartoon characters. The most important thing is to carefully examine the object, take into account all its characteristics and try to reproduce what you saw. This is how children draw, and this is also worth trying for adults. Below are just some ideas for drawings with step-by-step execution of all operations.

Agree, anyone can draw this. But even more complex, seemingly complex objects can be reproduced on paper if the whole is broken down into parts. See how easy it is to create beautiful swan. By the way, this drawing already uses some techniques of playing light and shadow (note the

Similarly, in just 13 steps, you can draw Kitty, the heroine of the animated series, for your child.

It doesn’t matter that the drawing is simple at first glance. If you succeeded without any problems, start working with the shadow, trying to give the figure volume. To do this, use pencils of different hardnesses, and also experiment with pressure.

If reproducing children's drawings is too easy for you, create your own paintings. Start with simple things - a cup, a telephone, a book, gradually complicating your work. Believe me, even the most seemingly ordinary item, when performed by a talented artist, will play very attractively. Look: the picture below shows a regular light bulb. But thanks to the play of light and shadow, recreated with a pencil, the drawing captivates with its realism.

Such images are often called 3D. This technique is quite difficult to master, but still possible. In them, the realism of objects is based on the play of light and shadow, which makes everything drawn seem real.

But first, it’s still worth turning into reality ideas for simpler pencil drawings. These could be objects household items, wildlife, surrounding you. For more complex works, you can choose a color drawing and draw it in black and white. There are a lot of options: you just have to look around you, and your heart will tell you what exactly to display on paper.

Instead of an epilogue

To learn how to draw, you don't have to take lessons at art school. Active workouts at home can also bring benefits. The first steps can be simple pencil drawings. Based on them, you can complicate the technique, fantasize with forms - and then everything should work out. Believe in success and improve your skills.

Pencil. You will need the simplest and most intuitive drawing tool in any case. Even if you want to learn how to draw with paints, you will need a simple pencil to create a sketch. Not all pencils are the same. Some are for drawing, others for drawing, others for everyday tasks. It is better not to choose pencils that are too hard (3H, 4H and more): they can easily scratch and tear the paper.

Watercolor. Water-soluble paint is known for its lightness, transparency and wide palette of shades. However, painting with watercolor is quite difficult: you need to learn how to use its properties and have a good idea of how the paint will behave on paper. On the other hand, if you put in enough effort, you will learn to draw in one of the most impressive techniques.

Gouache. This is a thick matte paint that is diluted with water. It is perfect for the first steps in drawing. Thanks to the dense texture of gouache, dark tones can be easily covered with darker ones. This is very important, because then all the flaws and shortcomings can be corrected. Another good news: gouache is inexpensive.

Pastel (dry). These crayons are used to create designs in soft colors. Due to its texture, pastel is very easy to shade, which allows you to create beautiful transitions between shades. You should immediately prepare for the fact that your fingers and table (at a minimum) will be stained with dust and pastel crumbs. The finished pastel drawing is easy to smudge, so the pigments on the paper will need to be secured with varnish or fixative.

Markers (“copies”). We asked artist-illustrator and teacher Anna Rastorgueva to tell us about this instrument, relatively unknown to most. Because she draws with markers and does it great. We are not talking about text highlighters or simple felt-tip pens, but about alcohol markers, which, thanks to their base, do not deform the paper and allow you to achieve smooth transitions between shades.

Kolidzei / Shutterstock.com

There are many manufacturers of such instruments, including Japanese brands, German, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. The price also varies - from 160 to 600 rubles per piece, so even a novice author can pick up a small kit to get started.

The palettes of this type of markers are unusually wide, with an average of 300 colors, so in order not to get confused, you can purchase a ready-made set, usually selected on a specific topic: architecture, nature, manga.

What if I don't know what to draw?

If you don’t know what to draw, but really want to, copy, draw and repeat after others. There's nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, this is a normal process. Take a picture that you like, put it in front of you and start.

Video instructions help a lot. Unlike advice in the style of “draw a circle, add sticks, add details - you will get a great canvas,” these notes do not lie. You will see exactly how the drawing is created.

Remember: creativity is an international thing. Don't be afraid to check out the YouTube channels of English-speaking bloggers, even if you don't understand what they're saying.

Try starting with these channels:

Proko. An absolute must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to draw. The artist clearly, simply, and clearly explains the most difficult thing - how to draw a person. This is the base and foundation, so the channel will probably be in your bookmarks.

Mark Crilley. The artist works in a cartoon style, so those who want to learn how to draw cute, cute drawings will find everything they need here. The artist shows different techniques and in detail, frame by frame, demonstrates the simplest techniques for creating an effective drawing.

Sycra. The channel will appeal to everyone who loves Japanese cartoons and wants to learn how to draw anime. Video tutorials cover the topic inside and out: body structure, facial features, costumes and everything, everything, everything.

Bob Ross. Bob Ross is an American television legend. Perhaps the most inspiring program in the world was created by this man, who for 11 years taught people to create miracles on canvas. You may not understand what Bob says in his soft voice, but you cannot resist the artistic talent that penetrates you directly from the screen.

In general, the choice of topic is the second fundamental issue after the choice of material. And here it is not at all necessary to limit yourself to traditional genres: portrait, still life or landscape. These days, daily household sketches are becoming increasingly popular. Like Instagram photos, artists quickly capture exciting topics in their notebooks, publish them on social networks, study and communicate together. The subject of interest can be absolutely any object - from macro-sketches of insects to travel diaries detailed in every detail.
Anna Rastorgueva, illustrator, teacher

"You Can Draw in 30 Days" by Mark Kistler. One of the most famous books about drawing. As many years of observations show, after reading it and, importantly, following the instructions, everyone learned to draw.

"Discover the Artist in You" by Betty Edwards. Those who have doubts can immediately be informed: from this book, about 2 million of those who considered themselves “armless” have already learned to draw. For those who do not believe in their own abilities at all and think that all artists know some secret beautiful paintings, we say: yes, the secret exists. It's hidden in this book.

“A sketchbook that will teach you how to draw!”, Robin Landa. As a teacher himself, Robin knows that students draw best on the pages of their textbooks. This is where fantasy comes into full play! Therefore, he created a book in which you can (and should) draw. And learn along the way.

I want to draw, but I don't have time or extra money

Eugenio Marongiu/Shutterstock.com

The first step can be taken without much investment or effort. Download creative apps and get started right now.

Tayasui Sketches. One of the most beautiful and simple applications with numerous tools will teach you how to draw in different techniques.

Bamboo Paper. Wacom, a company that creates drawing tablets, has developed its own application for artists. Sketches, sketches and full-fledged drawings - this program will be needed at every stage of learning.

Zen Brush. This application will not help with learning, but it will put you in the right creative mood. With a brush you can draw characteristic strokes, and the finished drawing looks like a work of art from some distant eastern country.

We’ve sorted out the materials, the sources of inspiration, too, the books have been studied, and there are applications for the laziest. It's your turn - it's time to get down to business.

The main thing is to find what you really like. Go for it!
Anna Rastorgueva, illustrator, teacher

Pencil. You will need the simplest and most intuitive drawing tool in any case. Even if you want to learn how to draw with paints, you will need a simple pencil to create a sketch. Not all pencils are the same. Some are for drawing, others for drawing, others for everyday tasks. It is better not to choose pencils that are too hard (3H, 4H and more): they can easily scratch and tear the paper.

Watercolor. Water-soluble paint is known for its lightness, transparency and wide palette of shades. However, painting with watercolor is quite difficult: you need to learn how to use its properties and have a good idea of how the paint will behave on paper. On the other hand, if you put in enough effort, you will learn to draw in one of the most impressive techniques.

Gouache. This is a thick matte paint that is diluted with water. It is perfect for the first steps in drawing. Thanks to the dense texture of gouache, dark tones can be easily covered with darker ones. This is very important, because then all the flaws and shortcomings can be corrected. Another good news: gouache is inexpensive.

Pastel (dry). These crayons are used to create designs in soft colors. Due to its texture, pastel is very easy to shade, which allows you to create beautiful transitions between shades. You should immediately prepare for the fact that your fingers and table (at a minimum) will be stained with dust and pastel crumbs. The finished pastel drawing is easy to smudge, so the pigments on the paper will need to be secured with varnish or fixative.

Markers (“copies”). We asked artist-illustrator and teacher Anna Rastorgueva to tell us about this instrument, relatively unknown to most. Because she draws with markers and does it great. We are not talking about text highlighters or simple felt-tip pens, but about alcohol markers, which, thanks to their base, do not deform the paper and allow you to achieve smooth transitions between shades.

Kolidzei / Shutterstock.com

There are many manufacturers of such instruments, including Japanese brands, German, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. The price also varies - from 160 to 600 rubles per piece, so even a novice author can pick up a small kit to get started.

The palettes of this type of markers are unusually wide, with an average of 300 colors, so in order not to get confused, you can purchase a ready-made set, usually selected on a specific topic: architecture, nature, manga.

What if I don't know what to draw?

Remember: creativity is an international thing. Don't be afraid to check out the YouTube channels of English-speaking bloggers, even if you don't understand what they're saying.

Try starting with these channels:

Proko. An absolute must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to draw. The artist clearly, simply, and clearly explains the most difficult thing - how to draw a person. This is the base and foundation, so the channel will probably be in your bookmarks.

Mark Crilley. The artist works in a cartoon style, so those who want to learn how to draw cute, cute drawings will find everything they need here. The artist shows different techniques and in detail, frame by frame, demonstrates the simplest techniques for creating an effective drawing.

Sycra. The channel will appeal to everyone who loves Japanese cartoons and wants to learn how to draw anime. Video tutorials cover the topic inside and out: body structure, facial features, costumes and everything, everything, everything.

Bob Ross. Bob Ross is an American television legend. Perhaps the most inspiring program in the world was created by this man, who for 11 years taught people to create miracles on canvas. You may not understand what Bob says in his soft voice, but you cannot resist the artistic talent that penetrates you directly from the screen.

In general, choosing a topic is the second fundamental issue after choosing the material. And here it is not at all necessary to limit yourself to traditional genres: portrait, still life or landscape. These days, daily household sketches are becoming increasingly popular. Like Instagram photos, artists fluently capture exciting topics in their notebooks, post them on social media, study and communicate together. The subject of interest can be absolutely any object - from macro-sketches of insects to travel diaries detailed in every detail.
Anna Rastorgueva, illustrator, teacher

"Discover the Artist in You" by Betty Edwards. Those who have doubts can immediately be informed: from this book, about 2 million of those who considered themselves “armless” have already learned to draw. To those who do not believe in their own abilities at all and think that all artists know some secret of beautiful paintings, we say: yes, the secret exists. It's hidden in this book.

I want to draw, but I don't have time or extra money

Eugenio Marongiu/Shutterstock.com

The first step can be taken without much investment or effort. Download creative apps and get started right now.

Tayasui Sketches. One of the most beautiful and simple applications with numerous tools will teach you how to draw in different techniques.

We’ve sorted out the materials, the sources of inspiration, too, the books have been studied, and there are applications for the laziest. It's your turn - it's time to get down to business.

The main thing is to find what you really like. Go for it!
Anna Rastorgueva, illustrator, teacher

Sometimes there is a desire to draw, but there is not enough imagination. In general, when a person draws, he involuntarily develops his ability to fantasize. Just pick up a pencil, brush or regular pen and start drawing. Most likely, your imagination will run wild, and you will no longer wonder what to draw. But if you don’t know where to start, now we’ll tell you what to draw when you have no imagination.

What can you draw?

So, you can start drawing what you see now. The principle is this: I saw the first thing that attracted me and drew it. Even if it’s sketchy, it doesn’t matter how it turns out. Over time, experience will come.

You can also always draw yourself. Look in the mirror or at a photograph of yourself, study your facial features and make sketches. If everything suits you, you can make the lines brighter or color the drawing with watercolors or pencils.

By the way, when taking a self-portrait, you can get a little creative. Imagine yourself as some hero from a movie! Color your hair and change your hairstyle - don't be afraid to use your imagination. You can draw yourself in full height in the clothes that you dream of or don’t dare to wear.

Many people like to draw nature. If you want to draw a landscape, but have no imagination, draw what you see outside the window. Or find beautiful tree and draw it. You can also take your favorite picture as the basis for your drawing. Draw the places that are dear to you or those where you would like to go.

Seasons

Another interesting option drawing is to draw the same landscape in autumn, winter, spring and summer. Divide the sheet into four parts - you get four squares. And in each of them, depict a landscape in a certain season of the year.

In summer, use a lot of green, draw bright sun and beautiful flowers. Some people prefer seascape. Take watercolor and dilute it well with water. Make blue-blue stains - it will be the sea. The sky can be made pink and yellow - as if it is sunset.

In autumn the landscape will sparkle with new colors. Artists use different shades warm colors- red and yellow.

The winter landscape can be quite diverse. Draw snow-capped mountains or a forest where the edges of the trees are covered with fluffy snow. You can draw christmas tree, decorated with toys, lanterns and a bunch of gifts underneath.

The spring landscape should give hope and the brightest feelings. Draw streams along which boats float, birds, snowdrops, trees with green buds, the sun.

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All children love to draw. But sometimes things don’t turn out the way a child wants. Or maybe he doesn’t have enough familiar ways to express himself? Then you can inspire him to experiment with different techniques, among which there is sure to be a favorite one. After this, your child will probably want to invent something new.

website I have collected the most interesting techniques for you.

Dot patterns

First we draw the simplest squiggle. Then, using a cotton swab and paints (gouache or acrylic), we make intricate patterns to suit your taste. It is better to pre-mix the paints and dilute them slightly with water on the palette.

Frottage

A technique familiar and loved by many since childhood. We place an object with a slightly protruding relief under a sheet of paper and paint over it with pastel, chalk or an unsharpened pencil.

Foam prints

Having dipped a sponge in thick gouache, the child can draw landscapes, bouquets of flowers, lilac branches or animals.

Blotography

One option: drop paint onto a sheet and tilt it different sides to get any image. Second: the child dips the brush into the paint, then places the blot on a sheet of paper and folds the sheet in half so that the blot is imprinted on the second half of the sheet. Then he unfolds the sheet and tries to understand who or what the drawing resembles.

Hand and foot prints

It's simple: you need to dip your foot or palm in the paint and make an imprint on paper. And then use your imagination and add a couple of details.

Paint patterns

For such an application you need to apply a thick layer of paint onto the paper. Then, using the opposite end of the brush, scratch patterns on the still wet paint - various lines and curls. When dry, cut out the desired shapes and paste them onto a thick sheet of paper.

Fingerprints

The name speaks for itself. You need to paint your finger with a thin layer and make an imprint. A couple of strokes with a felt-tip pen - and you're done!

Monotype

A design is applied to a flat, smooth surface (for example, glass) with paint. Then a sheet of paper is applied, and the print is ready. To make it more blurry, the sheet of paper must first be wetted. Once everything is dry, you can add details and outlines if desired.

Scratch

The highlight of the work is that the drawing needs to be scratched. A sheet of cardboard is densely shaded with spots of multi-colored oil pastels. Then you need to mix black gouache with soap on a palette and paint over the entire sketch. When the paint is completely dry, use a toothpick to scratch the design.

Air colors

To make the paint, mix a tablespoon of self-raising flour, a few drops of food coloring and a tablespoon of salt. Add a little water to the consistency of thick sour cream and mix well. The paint can be placed in a pastry syringe or in a small bag. Tie tightly and cut the corner. We draw on paper or regular cardboard. Place the finished drawing in the microwave at maximum mode for 10-30 seconds.

Marbled paper

Paint a sheet of paper yellow acrylic paint. When it is completely dry, paint it again with diluted pink paint and immediately cover it with cling film. The film needs to be crumpled and gathered into folds, since they are the ones that will create the desired pattern. We wait until it dries completely and remove the film.

Painting with water

We draw with watercolors a simple figure and fill it with water. Until it dries, we put colored blots on it so that they mix with each other and form smooth transitions like this.

Prints of vegetables and fruits

Vegetables or fruits need to be cut in half. Then you can cut out some kind of pattern on it or leave it as is. We dip it in paint and make impressions on paper. You can use an apple, potato, carrot or celery for prints.