If you think you cannot draw, start here. These 60 simple drawing ideas all begin with one basic shape: a circle, a square, a triangle, an oval or a line. Add a few details and the shape turns into a snowman, a house, a sailboat or a fish.
The ideas are sorted by that first shape, so you can practice one shape at a time. Every idea has its own free download, and the PDF has the five idea sheets plus a practice page.
What’s in the PDF
- 5 idea sheets with 12 drawings each: circles, squares and rectangles, triangles, ovals and curves, lines and zigzags
- Your Turn: a practice page with six boxes
- A cover page, all on US Letter paper
60 simple drawing ideas
Each group starts with the same basic shape. Draw that shape first, then copy the rest of the lines.
Drawings That Start With a Circle
Draw a circle, then add a few lines. These twelve ideas all start the same way.
Drawings From Squares and Rectangles
Boxes become houses, robots and buses. Use a ruler if you like straight lines.
Drawings From Triangles
Triangles make roofs, trees, sails and slices. Start with the biggest triangle.
Drawings From Ovals and Curves
Ovals and soft curves give you animals, leaves and feathers.
Drawings From Lines and Zigzags
Straight lines, zigzags and waves are all you need for these.
The shape trick for beginners
- Find the big shape. Look at the drawing and ask: is it mostly a circle, a box or a triangle?
- Draw it lightly. Use a pencil and press softly.
- Add the smaller shapes. Ears, wheels, windows and handles are just more circles and boxes.
- Finish with details. Add faces, patterns and lines last, then go over the lines in pen.
Your turn: the practice page
The practice page has six empty boxes with a light dot grid. Pick six ideas from this page, draw one in each box and write its name on the line.
Tips for beginners
- Draw slowly. Fast lines are harder to control.
- Turn the paper so your hand moves in a comfortable direction.
- Use a ruler for the square and line drawings if you like.
- Draw each idea three times; the third one is always the best.
Download the full sheets
Prefer whole pages? Click a link to open a full idea sheet, then print it or save it. The PDF with every page is in the download box.
- Drawings That Start With a Circle sheet
- Drawings From Squares and Rectangles sheet
- Drawings From Triangles sheet
- Drawings From Ovals and Curves sheet
- Drawings From Lines and Zigzags sheet
- Practice page
Next steps: 90 cute drawings, 80 cute doodles and 120 random things to draw. Step by step: how to draw a star and how to draw a snowman.
FAQ
What is the simplest thing to draw?
A sun, a ball, a house or a tree. They are made from one basic shape and a few lines.
How can a beginner get better at drawing?
Practice basic shapes every day and copy simple drawings like these. Draw the same thing a few times and compare your first and last tries.
Are these drawing ideas good for young kids?
Yes. They are built from shapes that kids already know, so they work for preschool and kindergarten too.
Can I print just one drawing?
Yes. Every idea above has its own download link. Click it to open the full-size picture, then print it or save it.
Can I use these pages in my classroom?
Yes. The pages are free for personal and classroom use. Print a copy for every student, and link to this page instead of sharing the PDF file.
