What to Draw?

What Happens When You Run Out of Ideas?

In recent blog posts, I’ve shared with you tips on how to improve your drawing skills. And then I went one further and focused on the number one tip, which is to draw daily. Let’s face it, sticking to a daily plan to do anything can be a challenge. But what happens when you run out of ideas on what to draw?

Running out of ideas on what to draw can make the daily drawing challenge come to a screeching halt. A disaster in the making. Before you know it, you’ve lost a day, and then two, then three… Before you know it, weeks have gone by and you haven’t touched your sketchbook.

The Challenge

Some people don’t really have a problem with finding subject matter for their daily sketches. They’ll simply scan the room and find something. Any old thing will do for them. If they’re indoors: a coffee cup, an office chair, a stapler, the water cooler, a crushed out cigarette in an ashtray, a tape dispenser, or a random knickknack on a bookshelf. If they’re outside: a bus bench, a fire hydrant, a telephone pole, a streetlamp, a tree, the mailbox, a bicycle, a parked car, or a parking meter.

But for others, myself included, we need to feel the slightest bit interested in what we’re drawing. A word of caution here…if you intend to one day to earn a living via your art, you may not always be asked to create something you’re interested in. However let’s just say that for a daily sketch we can indulge ourselves. Why not? If we’re committing to doing this daily, it should be fun!

So What To Do?

If you’ve come to the point where you’ve run out of ideas on what to draw, there are a few things you can consider that might beef up your choices for subject matter.

1. Pick a theme. What are your hobbies or interests outside of art? It can be a theme you end up sticking with for the entire year, or you can change your theme weekly or monthly. This week will be potted plants. Next week will be newspaper stands. The week after that…you get the idea.
2. Use the alphabet method. Start off with the letter A. Wherever you decide to sit down and sketch, look around and find an object that starts with A. That’s your subject for the day’s sketch. You can stick with A for the week, or you can move on to B the next day. It’s up to you. When you get to the end of the alphabet, start over again.
3. Pick an idea out of a hat (or jar). Jot down different household, office, or outdoor items onto strips of paper. Fold them up and drop them into a jar. When you run out of ideas on what to draw, dip into the jar and pick out a strip. Voila! Your subject for the day.
4. Change of scenery. If you have the time, go somewhere entirely different from your normal daily routine and surroundings. For most of us, the norm is home or office. Try going to a nearby coffee shop. Enjoy your brew and take a look around. There are always displays and various items for sale. Try going to the park. There should be your typical park fare…trees, plants, tables, benches, and kids’ play area complete with jungle gym, swings, and things to climb on. Who knows? Maybe your local park has some sculptures or park vendors to add to your choices. Or take a trip to a museum! Museums have hordes of stuff to keep you busy for a very, very long time.

Grab Your Sketchbooks!

So there you have it. Four ideas that will hopefully fill up that dry well of ideas. And trust me…I do know how it can get. Especially on the days when you just don’t feel like doing anything, nothing looks like it’s worth your time to sketch. But there really is no excuse. And it all boils down to, “I don’t know what to draw” being the lamest of all. So the next time you run out of ideas on what to draw, try one of these ideas…or all of them!

Further Reading:

How to Get Creative When You Run Out of Ideas

Five Tips to Improve Your Drawing Skills

Another Tip to Improve Your Drawing Skills