9 Ideas for What to Draw When Bored in 2025

That familiar feeling of wanting to create but having no idea where to start can be frustrating. You have the tools, the time, and the talent, but the inspiration well has run dry. This is precisely the moment when asking what to draw when bored becomes a crucial artistic question, transforming a moment of idleness into an opportunity for growth.

This guide is your direct answer. We've curated a diverse collection of nine distinct drawing concepts designed to break through creative stagnation and provide immediate, actionable starting points. Each idea is more than just a prompt; it's a gateway to developing new skills, exploring different styles, and rediscovering the joy of drawing without pressure.

You won't find vague suggestions here. Instead, you'll get practical techniques and specific exercises for everything from intricate mandala patterns and expressive character design to observational still life and architectural urban sketching. Whether you're a seasoned artist seeking a fresh challenge or a beginner looking for an accessible entry point, these ideas will help you turn your downtime into a productive and fulfilling artistic session. Let's dive in and find your next creative spark.

1. Zentangles and Mandala Patterns

If you're wondering what to draw when bored and want an activity that is both creative and calming, look no further than Zentangles and mandalas. Zentangle is a method of drawing structured, abstract patterns using a combination of dots, lines, and curves. Developed by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, this technique transforms simple strokes into complex, beautiful images in a mindful, deliberate way. Similarly, mandalas are intricate, circular designs that symbolize cosmic and spiritual order, offering a focused and symmetrical drawing experience.

Zentangles and Mandala Patterns

This approach is perfect for artists of all levels because it emphasizes the process over the final product. The repetitive nature of creating these patterns can induce a state of relaxed focus, similar to meditation, making it an excellent stress reliever. You don’t need a grand idea; you just need to begin with a single line.

How to Get Started

To begin your journey into this meditative art form, you don't need expensive supplies. A fine-tip pen and a small square of paper are all it takes to start creating.

• Start Small: The official Zentangle Method uses 3.5-inch square "tiles" to make projects feel manageable and less intimidating.
• Master Basic "Tangles": A "tangle" is a predefined sequence of simple strokes. Learn a few foundational patterns from resources like the official Zentangle website to build your visual library.
• Work in Sections: Lightly pencil a border and then draw a "string" inside it to divide the tile into smaller sections. Fill each section with a different tangle.
• Embrace Imperfection: A core principle of Zentangle is "no mistakes." Every stroke is an opportunity, not an error. This mindset helps build creative confidence.

2. Doodle Art and Margin Sketches

When you're looking for what to draw when bored without the pressure of creating a masterpiece, doodle art is your perfect outlet. Doodling is the art of spontaneous, often abstract drawing done while your mind is occupied elsewhere. It's the swirls in your notebook margin or the funny faces on a sticky note. This type of art, famously championed by artists like Keith Haring, celebrates creativity in its purest, most unplanned form, transforming simple lines and shapes into surprisingly intricate compositions.

Doodle Art and Margin Sketches

This method is ideal for anyone because it has no rules and requires no formal planning. The act of doodling is a powerful tool for improving focus, memory retention, and creative thinking. It allows your subconscious to take the lead, resulting in unique and personal artwork. By letting your hand move freely, you tap into a creative flow that is both relaxing and mentally stimulating, making it an excellent warm-up exercise or a standalone art form.

How to Get Started

Getting started with doodling is effortless; all you need is a pen and any available surface. The key is to let go of expectations and simply allow the lines to form.

• Keep It Accessible: Have a dedicated doodle notebook or even a stack of scrap paper handy so you can start drawing whenever inspiration strikes.
• Build from Basics: Begin with simple shapes like circles, squares, and squiggles. Gradually connect them, add patterns, or build them into more complex figures.
• Don't Judge Your Work: The purpose of doodling is the process, not the outcome. Avoid the urge to criticize or erase; just keep the pen moving.
• Combine with Other Activities: Doodling is a great companion for brainstorming sessions or listening to lectures, as it can help keep your mind engaged and focused on the primary task. For more inspiration, you can find a wealth of easy doodle art ideas on Drawinglist.com.

3. Still Life Drawing

If you find yourself wondering what to draw when bored and want to sharpen your fundamental art skills, try setting up a still life. This classic art form involves drawing or painting inanimate objects arranged in a specific composition. From a simple bowl of fruit to a collection of personal trinkets on your desk, still life drawing is a fantastic way to study light, shadow, form, and texture using everyday items. Greats like Paul Cézanne and Giorgio Morandi mastered this art, proving that even the most mundane objects can become compelling subjects.

Still life drawing of a pear and a pomegranate

This practice is ideal for artists of any level because it offers complete control over the subject matter. You choose the objects, arrange the composition, and control the lighting, allowing you to create a personalized challenge. It’s an exercise in seeing, forcing you to look beyond the object itself and observe the subtle interplay of shapes, tones, and reflections. It’s a foundational practice that improves all other areas of your drawing.

How to Get Started

You don't need a professional studio to create a captivating still life arrangement. Start with items you can find around your home and a single, direct light source like a desk lamp.

• Start with Simple Shapes: Begin with basic geometric objects like apples, cups, or boxes. These items help you practice proportion and form without overwhelming detail.
• Focus on the Light: Pay close attention to your light source. Observe where the highlights are brightest and where the shadows are darkest. This practice is key to creating depth and realism.
• Create an Interesting Composition: Arrange your items in a way that is visually engaging. A classic tip is to use an odd number of objects, as this tends to create a more dynamic composition.
• Mix Up Textures: Combine objects with different surface qualities, such as a smooth glass next to a rough piece of fruit or a soft fabric. This will challenge you to render various textures. You can explore more ideas by checking out a guide on simple still life drawing.

4. Character Design and Cartoon Creation

If you're searching for what to draw when bored and want to bring a new personality to life, character design is a deeply rewarding endeavor. This process involves creating original fictional characters with distinct appearances, personalities, and backstories. It's a fantastic blend of storytelling and visual art, allowing you to develop everything from simple cartoon figures to complex protagonists for a graphic novel or animation.

Character Design and Cartoon Creation

This creative outlet is perfect for anyone who loves storytelling because it pushes you to think beyond just drawing a picture. You consider the character’s motivations, quirks, and world, which in turn influences their design. From the expressive characters of Chuck Jones to the enchanting figures by Hayao Miyazaki, great design communicates personality without a single word.

How to Get Started

Diving into character creation doesn't require advanced skills, just a bit of imagination and a willingness to experiment. A pencil and sketchbook are all you need to invent someone entirely new.

• Start with Basic Shapes: Build your character's foundation using simple geometric shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. This helps establish a strong, clear silhouette before adding complex details.
• Think Personality First: Before you draw, ask yourself: Who is this character? Are they brave, shy, mischievous? Let their personality guide your design choices, from their posture to their facial expression.
• Study the Basics: A little knowledge of anatomy and proportion goes a long way. You don’t need to be an expert, but understanding basic structure will make your characters more believable.
• Create a Character Sheet: To fully flesh out your creation, draw them in several different poses and with various expressions. This helps solidify their design and makes them feel more dynamic and alive.

5. Contour and Blind Contour Drawing

If you find yourself stuck for what to draw when bored, consider trying an exercise that enhances your observational skills rather than focusing on a perfect outcome: contour and blind contour drawing. Contour drawing is the practice of outlining a subject, following its edges and interior planes with a continuous line. The more challenging variation, blind contour drawing, requires you to do this without looking at your paper, forcing your eye and hand to work in perfect sync.

This foundational art school technique, championed by educators like Kimon Nicolaïdes, is less about creating a realistic portrait and more about truly seeing the subject. It sharpens hand-eye coordination and helps you appreciate the subtle curves and shapes of everyday objects. The wonderfully distorted and abstract results are a byproduct of a deep, focused observation process.

How to Get Started

Getting started is simple, as this exercise prioritizes process over materials. All you need is a pen or pencil and a piece of paper.

• Choose a Subject: Start with something that has interesting lines, like your own hand, a crumpled piece of paper, or a houseplant.
• Slow Down: Let your eye slowly trace the edges of the subject. Move your drawing tool at the same speed your eye is moving, as if they are connected.
• Keep Your Pen on the Paper: Try to create the entire drawing using one continuous line. This forces you to plan your path and connect different parts of the subject.
• Go Blind: For a true challenge, try the blind contour method. Fix your gaze on the subject and resist the urge to peek at your drawing until you are completely finished. Embrace the quirky, unexpected results as a sign of progress.

6. Nature Sketching and Botanical Illustration

When you’re looking for what to draw when bored and want to connect with the world around you, nature sketching and botanical illustration offer a refreshing and grounding experience. This practice involves drawing plants, flowers, trees, and landscapes directly from life or a reference. Botanical illustration, a more specialized form, focuses on creating scientifically accurate and detailed depictions of plant life, a tradition beautifully exemplified by artists like Maria Sibylla Merian.

This approach is perfect for developing observational skills and an appreciation for the intricate details of the natural world. It encourages you to slow down and truly see the subjects you are drawing, from the delicate veining on a leaf to the rugged texture of tree bark. Whether you're in your backyard, a local park, or using photos, it’s a wonderful way to blend artistic expression with scientific curiosity.

How to Get Started

You don't need to be a botanist to start drawing nature. Simple tools and a keen eye are all that is required to begin capturing the beauty of the outdoors on paper.

• Start with Simple Subjects: Begin with a single leaf, a simple flower, or a smooth stone. Focus on capturing its basic shape, form, and unique characteristics before moving on to more complex compositions.
• Carry a Portable Sketchbook: Keep a small sketchbook and a pencil with you. This allows you to capture interesting plants or scenes whenever inspiration strikes during a walk or outdoor excursion.
• Study Basic Anatomy: A little knowledge goes a long way. Learning the basic parts of a flower or the structure of a tree can greatly improve the accuracy and realism of your drawings.
• Focus on Textures: Nature is full of diverse textures. Practice drawing different patterns, like the soft petals of a rose, the rough surface of bark, or the smooth skin of a mushroom. This adds depth to your work.

7. Portrait and Self-Portrait Studies

If you're searching for what to draw when bored and want a challenge that profoundly develops your artistic skills, exploring portraits is an excellent path. This classic discipline involves capturing the likeness, personality, and mood of a person. A self-portrait takes this a step further, offering a readily available model (yourself) for a deeply personal and introspective artistic journey, famously practiced by masters like Rembrandt.

This practice is ideal for artists looking to improve their understanding of anatomy, form, and light. Capturing the subtle nuances of a human face forces you to observe closely and translate three-dimensional forms onto a two-dimensional surface. It’s a timeless exercise that connects you to a long history of artists who have sought to capture the human spirit.

How to Get Started

Diving into portraits can feel intimidating, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process accessible. You only need a pencil, paper, and a mirror or reference photo.

• Learn Basic Proportions: Start by learning foundational guidelines for facial structure, such as the Loomis method. These guides provide a reliable starting point for placing eyes, nose, and mouth correctly.
• Focus on One Feature: Instead of tackling a whole face at once, dedicate a practice session to drawing just eyes, or noses, from different angles. This builds confidence and skill in rendering individual elements.
• Study Light and Shadow: The way light falls on a face creates its form. Set up a single light source to create clear highlights and shadows, making it easier to see and draw the planes of the face.
• Use a Mirror: For self-portraits, a mirror is your best tool. It allows you to study your own features and expressions in real-time, offering endless opportunities for practice.

8. Abstract Art and Experimental Techniques

If you’re looking for what to draw when bored and want to break free from the pressure of realism, abstract art is your answer. This approach moves beyond depicting reality and instead focuses on expressing ideas and emotions through visual language using color, shape, form, and gestural marks. It’s less about drawing what you see and more about drawing what you feel, making it a liberating and deeply personal creative outlet.

This style is perfect for overcoming creative blocks because it removes the fear of "getting it wrong." There are no rules for how your art should look, allowing you to play with materials and processes without self-judgment. From the deliberate color studies of Wassily Kandinsky to the energetic action paintings of Jackson Pollock, abstract art invites pure, intuitive creation.

How to Get Started

Diving into abstract and experimental art is about exploration and discovery. You don't need a clear plan; you just need to be open to the process and see where your marks take you.

• Play with Color and Shape: Start by simply putting colors and shapes on paper. Create swatches, draw geometric or organic forms, and see how they interact. Focus on composition and balance rather than representation.
• Experiment with Tools: Don't limit yourself to a pencil. Try using palette knives with paint, sponges, credit cards to scrape color, or even digital brushes to create unexpected textures and effects.
• Trust Your Intuition: Put on some music, close your eyes, and make a mark. Let your hand move freely across the page without overthinking. This intuitive approach helps tap into your subconscious creativity.
• Study the Masters: Look at the work of abstract pioneers to understand the principles of composition and color theory. You can find inspiration and learn techniques from artists at galleries like the Tate.

9. Urban Sketching and Architecture

If you're looking for what to draw when bored and want to connect with your surroundings, urban sketching and architecture provide an exciting way to capture the world outside your window. This practice involves drawing on location, documenting cityscapes, buildings, and street scenes as you see them. It blends artistic expression with a journalist's eye, capturing the unique energy and character of a place. From grand cathedrals to the quaint coffee shop on the corner, every structure tells a story.

This discipline is fantastic for developing core drawing skills like perspective, proportion, and line work in a real-world setting. Popularized by communities like the global Urban Sketchers group, it encourages artists to share their view of the world, one drawing at a time. It’s not about creating a perfect replica but about conveying the feeling and atmosphere of the moment.

How to Get Started

Getting started with urban sketching is as simple as grabbing a sketchbook and heading outside. The goal is to observe and react to your environment.

• Carry Portable Supplies: A small sketchbook, a few pens, and perhaps a compact watercolor set are all you need. The key is to be mobile.
• Learn Basic Perspective: Understanding one and two-point perspective is crucial for making buildings look three-dimensional and grounded. Start by drawing simple box-like buildings to get the hang of it.
• Focus on Atmosphere: Don't get bogged down in achieving perfect accuracy. Instead, try to capture the light, shadows, and overall mood of the scene. Include people, cars, and trees to add life to your sketch.
• Join a Community: Look for local Urban Sketchers groups in your area or join online forums. Drawing with others is a great way to stay motivated, share tips, and discover new sketching spots. You can also dive deeper into specific elements with an architectural detail study.

Creative Drawing Ideas Comparison Table

Your Next Drawing Awaits

Boredom isn't a creative void; it's an invitation. Throughout this guide, we've journeyed through a diverse landscape of artistic possibilities, transforming the question of what to draw when bored from a frustrating roadblock into a launchpad for inspiration. From the meditative, flowing lines of Zentangles and Mandalas to the dynamic, real-world energy of Urban Sketching, each category offers a unique way to engage your mind and your materials.

We explored how simple exercises like blind contour drawing can sharpen your observational skills in unexpected ways, while diving into character design allows you to build entire worlds from your imagination. The key takeaway is that there is no single "right" answer. The best drawing idea is the one that sparks a flicker of curiosity in you right now, whether it's capturing the intricate details of a botanical illustration or the bold, expressive freedom of abstract art.

Turning Inspiration into Action

The true value of this list isn't just in knowing your options, but in acting on them. The next time you feel that familiar sense of restlessness, don't just scroll past these ideas. Instead, consciously choose one path and commit to it for even just a few minutes. This simple act of starting is the most powerful tool you have against creative stagnation.

Here are your actionable next steps:

• Pick one category that feels new: If you always draw portraits, try sketching a building. If you love detailed patterns, experiment with a loose, abstract piece. Stepping outside your comfort zone is where growth happens.
• Set a small, achievable goal: Aim to complete a single doodle, a five-minute contour drawing, or one small section of a still life. The goal is not a masterpiece; it's to break the inertia of boredom.
• Embrace the process, not the outcome: The purpose of these exercises is to engage your hands and mind. Let go of the pressure for perfection and simply enjoy the feeling of your pen or pencil moving across the page.

Ultimately, building a consistent drawing habit is about creating a reliable toolkit for yourself. By familiarizing yourself with these different approaches, you are ensuring that you will always have an answer when you find yourself wondering what to draw. You are turning idle time into a valuable opportunity for skill development, self-expression, and pure creative enjoyment. Your next drawing is not just a way to pass the time; it's a step forward on your artistic journey. Grab your sketchbook, pick an idea, and let your creativity flow.

Tired of a static list and need an endless well of inspiration? The Drawing List platform uses a powerful Drawing Ideas Generator to provide over 1,600 unique, AI-powered prompts across 99+ categories. Visit Drawing List to find your perfect prompt in seconds and ensure you never have to wonder what to draw when bored again.