How to Draw: Easy Step-by-Step Drawings for Beginners

Every drawing here starts with simple shapes. A cat begins as three circles, a snowflake as a line and an X, and a jack-o'-lantern as three triangles. Each guide breaks one subject into small steps with a photo of each, so you can check your page against the picture as you go.

There are two kinds of drawing on this page. The cartoon drawings use a black marker and plain paper, then colored pencils, markers or crayons. They are made for kids, which also makes them a relaxed place for grown-ups to start. The realistic drawings use graphite pencils and an eraser, and they take a little more patience.

What You Need

Paper. Plain drawing paper or a sketchbook. A spiral-bound pad lets you flip back and see how far you have come.
A black fine point marker for the cartoon drawings. A pencil for a light first sketch is handy but optional.
Graphite pencils for the realistic drawings. A 2B does almost everything. Higher B numbers are softer and darker, higher H numbers are harder and lighter.
A kneaded eraser. It lightens a whole area or, pinched to a point, lifts out a small highlight.
Something to color with. Colored pencils, markers, crayons or oil pastels all appear in these guides.

Start Here

If you have not drawn since school, begin with sketching basics for complete beginners. It covers what the H and B on a pencil mean, how to build a shape from many light lines instead of one, and how to shade a circle into a ball by deciding where the light comes from.

Halloween Drawings

The pumpkin is three triangles and a toothy grin, and the bat is a silhouette you fill in black. The skeleton and the skull are realistic pencil studies for when you want a bigger challenge.

Thanksgiving Drawings

Three easy marker drawings for the Thanksgiving table.

Christmas and Winter Drawings

Most of these are cartoon drawings in ten steps or fewer, done with a black marker and then colored in. The holly sprig is drawn in pencil and inked with fine pens, and the string of Christmas lights makes a border for a homemade card.

Hanukkah Drawings

Both are drawn in black marker. The dreidel is colored blue and gold, and the menorah can be colored or left plain.

Easy Animal Drawings

Cartoon animals drawn with a black marker, then colored in. Most start with the eyes and build the head and body around them.

Realistic Animal Drawings

Mostly pencil drawings that start from simple shapes: the cat from three circles, the horse from two, the dog, fox and wolf from one circle with guidelines. Fur and shading come last.

People and Faces

Start with the face, which is mostly measuring: where the eyes, nose and mouth sit. Each feature then has its own guide.

Nature: Flowers, Trees, Sky and Water

Forgiving subjects, because no two leaves or clouds are alike.

Food Drawings

Two cute marker drawings and one realistic pencil apple.

Objects, Buildings and Letters

Hard-edged subjects, where a ruler or a compass can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest thing to draw for a beginner?

Any of the cartoon drawings. The jack-o'-lantern is seven steps that start with three triangles, the candy cane starts with two J shapes, and the snowman is ten steps with a marker. If you would rather learn pencil skills from the start, begin with the sketching basics guide.

What pencil should I use for drawing?

A 2B. It is soft enough for real darks and hard enough to hold a point. The letters tell you the rest: B pencils get softer and darker as the number goes up, and H pencils get harder and lighter. A cheap student set is fine.

How do I stop erasing so much?

Sketch with many light lines instead of one firm one, and hold the pencil further back than you would for writing so it is hard to press. Once the shape looks right, press harder only along the line you want to keep. If you are erasing all the time, you are committing to a line too early.

Are these drawings good for kids?

Yes. The cartoon drawings were made for kids, and most take ten steps or fewer with a black marker and something to color with. The realistic pencil drawings suit older children and adults.