Drawing is one of the easiest hobbies to start. It costs almost nothing, you can do it anywhere, and you’ll see yourself improve week after week. This guide covers everything you need to start drawing as a hobby – supplies, a simple practice routine, how to find ideas and how to stay motivated.
Why drawing makes a great hobby
- It’s affordable. A pencil and a sketchbook are enough.
- It’s portable. Draw on the bus, in a café or on your sofa.
- It’s relaxing. Many people find that focusing on lines and shapes quiets a busy mind.
- It trains observation. You’ll start noticing light, colors and shapes everywhere.
- It’s measurable. Flip back through your sketchbook after a month and the progress is obvious.
What you need to start
You don’t need expensive art supplies. Start with:
- A sketchbook – A5 is portable; choose paper around 100 gsm or heavier.
- Pencils – an HB for sketching and a 2B or 4B for darker shading.
- An eraser – a kneaded eraser is great for lifting graphite gently.
- A fine-liner pen – for inking and confident lines.
- Optional color – colored pencils, markers or a small watercolor set.
If you’d rather draw digitally, a tablet with a stylus and a free or low-cost drawing app works too.
A simple 20-minute practice routine
- Warm-up (5 minutes): fill half a page with lines, circles and ellipses. Or use the random thing to draw tool with its 1-minute timer.
- Study (10 minutes): draw one real object from life – a mug, a plant, your hand.
- Play (5 minutes): draw something just for fun from the drawing prompt generator.
Repeat this most days and you’ll improve faster than with occasional long sessions.
What to draw as a beginner
Start with subjects that are made of simple shapes:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Mugs, bottles and books
- Plants and leaves
- Simple animals like cats and birds
- Your own hand and shoes
When you’re ready for more, browse 100 fun things to draw when bored or our creative drawing ideas.
How to stay motivated
Lower the bar. Commit to just five minutes. Most days you’ll keep going.
Follow prompts. Deciding what to draw is often the hardest part. A daily random drawing prompt removes that decision.
Join a challenge. A month-long list like our 31-day drawing challenge gives you a goal.
Don’t compare. Compare your drawings only to your own past work, not to professionals online.
Keep everything. Even “bad” drawings are progress. Date each page.
Learning the fundamentals
Once drawing is a habit, start practicing the fundamentals: lines, shapes, perspective, light and shadow, and proportion. Our drawing practice exercises guide has a set of simple exercises to build these skills step by step.
Sharing your drawings
Sharing is optional, but it can be motivating. Post in beginner-friendly art communities, join a local sketch group, or simply show friends and family. Remember that drawing as a hobby is for you – enjoy the process more than the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is drawing a good hobby?
Yes. Drawing is cheap, portable and relaxing, and it improves observation and patience. You can do it anywhere with just a pencil and paper.
Can I learn to draw as an adult?
Absolutely. Drawing is a skill, not a talent you’re born with. Adults often improve quickly because they can practice deliberately and stay consistent.
How much time should I spend drawing as a hobby?
Even 15 minutes a day is enough to see real progress. Consistency matters much more than long sessions.
What supplies do I need to start drawing?
A pencil, an eraser, a pen and a cheap sketchbook. Add colored pencils, markers or watercolors later if you enjoy it.