What to Draw: 50 Sketchbook Ideas for Every Day

Opening a blank sketchbook and not knowing what to draw is common, even for experienced artists. This Haanz Art Guide gives you 50 sketchbook ideas, grouped by theme, so you always have something to start with. You will also find tips for keeping a daily sketching habit and the supplies we stock to fill your pages.

Supplies for daily sketching

• A sketchbook you enjoy carrying, such as the Mont Marte Sketch Journal, Croc cover, 150gsm, A5 or the Bomega Sketch Pad A5.
• A Graphite Drawing Pencil in 2B for quick sketches.
• A Sakura Pigma Micron 05 (0.45mm) for drawing straight in ink.
• Pentel Arts WaterColour Pencils, 12 colours for quick colour that turns to paint with water.
• A Water Brush Pen 6 Set so you can paint without a water pot.
• A Sakura White Gelly Roll 05 (Fine Tip) for highlights.

See more sketchbooks in Drawing Pads & Drawing Papers. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

50 sketchbook ideas by theme

Around the house (1–10)

1. Your shoes
2. A cup of tea with steam
3. Keys on a table
4. Your pencil case and everything in it
5. A folded towel
6. A chair from three angles
7. A window with the view outside
8. Your bed, unmade
9. A pile of books
10. A ceiling fan

Food and kitchen (11–18)

11. A banana, then the same banana a week later
12. A coconut cut in half
13. A plate of rice and curry
14. Spices in jars
15. A pineapple
16. An onion cut in half
17. A tea pot
18. A slice of cake

Nature (19–28)

19. A single leaf in detail
20. A tree outside your home
21. Clouds before the rain
22. A potted plant
23. A flower from the garden
24. A shell or stone
25. A coconut palm
26. A sunset in colour
27. Raindrops on a window
28. A paddy field or a hill view

People and animals (29–38)

29. Your own hand in five poses
30. A self-portrait in a mirror
31. A family member reading
32. People waiting at a bus stop, in quick two-minute sketches
33. A sleeping cat or dog
34. Crows on a wall
35. A squirrel
36. An elephant from a photo
37. Eyes from different angles
38. Faces with different expressions

Out and about (39–44)

39. A tuk-tuk
40. A shop front in your town
41. A temple, church, kovil or mosque
42. A bicycle
43. A street with perspective lines
44. A boat at the beach

Imagination (45–50)

45. A creature that is half animal, half plant
46. Your dream house
47. A map of an imaginary island
48. A character from your favourite book
49. Your town 100 years in the future
50. A page of patterns that fill every corner

How to use these sketchbook ideas

1. Pick one idea a day. Work through the list in order, or choose at random.
2. Set a timer. Give yourself 10 to 20 minutes. A short time stops you worrying about perfection.
3. Start with shapes. Block in the big shapes lightly before adding details.
4. Try a different tool each week. Pencil one week, ink the next, then watercolour pencils.
5. Write a note. Add the date and a line about where you were. Your sketchbook becomes a diary.

Tips to keep sketching

• Carry a small sketchbook in your bag so you can draw while waiting.
• Do not tear out pages you dislike. Every page is practice.
• Draw from life as often as you can. It trains your eye more than copying photos.
• Revisit an idea a month later and compare the two drawings.
• Keep your sketchbook in a dry place during the monsoon to stop the pages from curling.

For more help, read Visual Art Diary and Sketch Journal, Outdoor Urban Sketching Kit and A 30-Day Drawing Practice Plan for Beginners.

Frequently asked questions

What size sketchbook is easiest for daily drawing?

A5 is a popular size. It is small enough to carry every day but big enough for detailed drawings.

Can I use watercolour in a normal sketchbook?

Light washes work on thicker sketchbook paper, around 150gsm. For heavy watercolour, use a proper watercolour pad.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? Call / WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose a sketchbook and pens for daily drawing.

More Haanz Art Guides

The Grid Method: Copy and Enlarge Any Drawing AccuratelyRead the guide →Large Acrylic Bottles and Tubes: Fevicryl 200ml and Pentel 75mlRead the guide →Portrait Drawing for Beginners: Face Proportions and ShadingRead the guide →Art Supplies and Tips for Left-Handed ArtistsRead the guide →

See all Haanz Art Guides