When boredom strikes, one of the best ways to pass the time and express creativity is by picking up a pencil and drawing. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who only sketches occasionally, drawing can be a fun and therapeutic activity that keeps your mind engaged. But sometimes, the biggest challenge is knowing what to draw when you don’t have any inspiration. If you find yourself staring at a blank page, not knowing where to start, don’t worry! This article will give you a variety of ideas for things to draw when bored, ranging from simple doodles to more intricate designs.
Table of Contents
1. Doodles and Patterns
If you’re looking for something relaxing and easy, start with doodles and patterns. These can be as simple or as complex as you like. Try drawing swirls, geometric shapes, or repetitive patterns such as zigzags, spirals, and checkerboards. Doodling is a great way to let your mind wander while keeping your hand busy. You can experiment with different pen strokes or shading techniques to add depth to your doodles.
Ideas to try:
- Abstract patterns (dots, waves, circles)
- Mandalas or radial patterns
- Simple geometric shapes (triangles, squares, diamonds)
- Crosshatching and shading experiments
2. Cartoon Characters
If you enjoy cartoons, drawing your favorite characters is a great way to pass the time. This can range from drawing iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob, or characters from anime shows to creating your own cartoon characters. You can make them humorous, expressive, or quirky. The beauty of cartoon art is that there are no strict rules—it’s all about exaggerating features and having fun with proportions.
Ideas to try:
- Draw a cartoon version of yourself
- Create a character from an imaginary world
- Redraw famous characters in your own style
- Experiment with animal or monster characters
3. Animals
Animals are always an enjoyable subject to draw, and there are so many different ways to approach them. Whether you’re trying to capture the realism of a lion or the whimsy of a cartoon cat, animals provide endless opportunities for practice. You can draw from real life, photos, or your imagination. Start simple with an animal’s silhouette and then add more detail over time, like textures, fur, or facial expressions.
Ideas to try:
- Your favorite pet or a wild animal
- Animal hybrids (e.g., a cat with wings or a horse with a fish tail)
- Cute or chibi-style animals
- Study animal anatomy to improve your drawing skills
4. Nature Scenes
Drawing scenes from nature can be very peaceful and grounding. If you’re someone who loves to spend time outdoors, drawing landscapes or elements of nature can be a beautiful way to capture your surroundings. You can start with something as simple as a tree or a flower, and work your way up to more detailed scenes, like mountains, rivers, or forests.
Ideas to try:
- A scenic view of a park, beach, or forest
- Close-up drawings of plants, flowers, or leaves
- Trees and foliage with detailed textures
- Clouds or skies at different times of day (sunrise, sunset, storm clouds)
5. Objects Around You
Sometimes, inspiration is right in front of you. Take a look at the objects around your home, office, or room, and try drawing them. Whether it’s a coffee mug, a stack of books, or the view from your window, drawing what you see can be a great way to improve your observational skills. Focus on the details and practice shading to bring your drawing to life.
Ideas to try:
- A stack of your favorite books or an open book with a coffee cup beside it
- Your desk setup or a cluttered space
- A shoe, a hat, or a set of keys
- Your favorite food or a piece of fruit
6. Fashion Design
If you have an interest in fashion, drawing clothes, outfits, or entire fashion designs can be a great way to express your creativity. Fashion sketches don’t have to be overly detailed; you can start with basic outlines and experiment with different clothing styles, colors, and accessories. This is an excellent exercise if you want to work on proportion and creating a cohesive design.
Ideas to try:
- Sketch an outfit for different seasons (summer, winter, fall)
- Design an outfit for a character you’ve created
- Draw a variety of shoes or accessories
- Experiment with patterns (floral, stripes, polka dots) on clothing
7. Faces and Portraits
Drawing faces is a fantastic way to improve your portraiture skills, whether you’re sketching from a photo or from your imagination. Faces are intricate and expressive, offering plenty of room for practice. Focus on capturing the different features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, as well as the shape and contours of the face itself.
Ideas to try:
- Practice drawing different facial expressions (happy, sad, angry)
- Try drawing a self-portrait or a portrait of a friend or family member
- Focus on specific facial features (e.g., eyes, lips)
- Draw faces with exaggerated features (cartoonish or abstract)
8. Fantasy and Mythical Creatures
Let your imagination run wild by drawing fantasy creatures like dragons, unicorns, mermaids, or other mythical beings. These creatures offer endless creative possibilities for how they look, behave, and interact with their environments. You can make them fierce and intimidating or cute and friendly. Fantasy creatures often include elements of nature, so you can blend in your love of landscapes and animals.
Ideas to try:
- Draw a dragon flying over mountains or a mermaid underwater
- Create your own mythical creature by combining elements of different animals
- Draw a magical forest inhabited by fairies or other creatures
- Illustrate a wizard casting a spell with a fantastical creature at their side
9. Abstract Art
Sometimes, drawing without any specific object or subject in mind can be incredibly freeing. Abstract art allows you to explore lines, shapes, and colors in an unstructured way. Let your imagination guide your hand as you create something entirely unique. Abstract art doesn’t need to make sense; it’s more about the feelings and impressions it evokes.
Ideas to try:
- Draw random shapes, lines, and curves in various directions
- Use color to create mood (bright and bold or dark and moody)
- Experiment with different textures and layers of shading
- Create a composition of overlapping geometric shapes or organic forms
10. Inventions and Sci-Fi Concepts
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not design your own inventions or sci-fi concepts? This could include futuristic vehicles, spaceships, robots, or even imagined technologies. The key to drawing these kinds of ideas is to think outside the box and let your imagination take over. You can start with rough sketches and then refine them into more polished designs.
Ideas to try:
- Design a flying car, robot, or futuristic gadget
- Draw an alien planet with strange creatures and landscapes
- Create a detailed spaceship or futuristic city
- Experiment with new architectural styles or building designs
FAQs About Drawing When Bored
Q: What if I don’t feel like I’m good at drawing?
A: Everyone starts somewhere! The key is to practice and not get discouraged. Even if you don’t think you’re “good” at drawing, the more you do it, the better you’ll become. Drawing can also be incredibly therapeutic, so don’t stress about perfection—just enjoy the process.
Q: How can I get better at drawing quickly?
A: The best way to improve quickly is through consistent practice. Draw every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Challenge yourself with new subjects and techniques, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You can also watch tutorials, take drawing classes, or reference books and online resources for tips.
Q: I can’t think of anything to draw—what should I do?
A: If you’re stuck for ideas, try the suggestions in this article, or use reference images from online sources. Alternatively, you can draw from your imagination or try an art prompt generator to spark your creativity.
Q: Can I draw digitally, or do I need to use paper?
A: You can absolutely draw digitally! Many artists use graphic tablets or drawing apps on their phones or computers. Digital drawing offers the advantage of undoing mistakes, experimenting with colors, and easily sharing your work, but traditional paper and pencil are just as effective for creativity.
Conclusion
When boredom hits, picking up a pencil and starting a drawing can help pass the time in a fun and productive way. Whether you’re sketching simple doodles, intricate landscapes, or designing fantastical creatures, drawing allows you to explore your creativity and improve your skills. The key is to enjoy the process—so get started today and let your imagination flow!
