What should you draw? Tips on subject matter for beginners

This is exactly what I experienced. I learned to draw at the age of 38, there was often an impasse, "what should I draw?"
Because I try to sell my drawings on microstock, I sometimes think my drawings are not good enough in terms of selling. Or often feel that my drawings are not worthy compared to other people's drawings, for example those on Instagram. How to overcome this?

You present a wonderfully positive view of drawing. I have always wanted to be artist enough to draw what I see in my imagination. I also write and I find my words become paint and pen.

I just stood there with a gaping mouth in pure awe of your art, its gorgeous.

Genius! Thank you!

I am 3.5 months in to watercolor and drawing … 3 weeks into keeping an illustrated journal. At the moment, I like to draw and paint late afternoon/early evening. I take photos on my phone during the day and pick some that resonate with me for my journal at the end of the day. Although I am doing both drawing from ref photos and some real life, as I am learning, I find the reference photos easiest. Often, after a ref drawing, if whatever is available I will then do a quick drawing “from life”. I think that is helping me be a better observer of proportion/perspective. I have kept a “snippets of my life” blog for 17 years and love photography … but I am enjoying the illustrated journal. It is enjoyable in a different way. I could write a short novel about my thoughts. I am doing both, blog less often but I had slowed that down before starting the journal. I also have a folder of some of my own landscape photos, plus others I’ve come across waiting to be drawn or painted. I guess I will see, but so far I have not had artist’s block!

My best friend bought me a beautiful journal many years ago. I never wrote in it because I was always afraid if I didn’t draw or write something “perfect” I would “ruin” it. After watching this video it gave me the encouragement to start using it for my art sketchbook. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. ♥️

I like the way you think. Good video.

So incredibly inspiring ❤
Thank you 🙏🏽

I follow your vídeos by five or six years and now i haver power and courage to fight against my depression with art. Thank you.

Hi dear Danny u are one in million who say these words with this great passion...💌💌
I'm same as your uttering words.. I'm little bit confused about my art work... Can you check and courage me plz..
I wanna your warm support please...
I'm waiting you💞

I was literally struggling with this today, I picked up my first sketchbook in a long time. Great advice!! Thank you 😊

great video :-))

I wrote a whole message in response and it got lost. No matter, the thing is : this video like your others and your book (I am reading my first of them) is encouraging and lights up my imagination.

This video is very inspiring and practical and encouraging. I feel that I can just continue drawing.. I now have a ton of ideas "sparkling" my imagination. The message in your book that I am reading - one of them- and in your videos is consistent. Just draw! :-)

I LOVE your drawings!!!!!!!! I hope to be able to draw like that one day!!!!!

Can you make a video about what art supplies you bring with you, when you're out making art in the wild?
I want to make more art while I'm out and about, and I'm not quite sure what to bring, and how. What kind of bag? What kind of sketchbook? What kind of pens and pencils and brushes and paint? Paint in what form? Cakes or tubes or tubs? and what colors? How do you bring water to paint with?

inspiring as always, thy!

Thanks for the encouragement. I just drew the page in my planner that was in front of me. It was great practice and did turn out well.

I found this so inspiring! What i got from this was "Create your own opportunity to draw" rather than waiting for the perfect scene or moment to appear. Just do it! Find something to draw, even if it's just pens or portraits from a book ❤

Most excellent!

I started drawing in a notebook and every day with Danny’s book "everydays Matters" that I met in 2011. And now I do children’s illustration and continue to draw on the street and at home, always with my notebook. Thank you Danny. I started by drawing my chickens and my flowers

Any tips for someone trying to draw people and cars at locations when the car and people move from the pov?

What was that one bathroom scene ? It went by quickly…..HaHaHa

This was great, thank you. :)

Nice review of your sketch books. Lots of inspiration. I better get busy...

Your pictures are interesting. My dog is called Twiggy😂🇬🇧

I'm trying to get back to drawing agter having a Stroke the end of July of 2023 trying to get my brain all reconnected, I will try and get some supplies to order from Amazon. And try to draw everything I can see no matter to my eye if it's good or not just will do whatever it takes to try and get back to what I once was.
Thank you for ideas 💡 and the motivation to just do it.

Hats off to you sir, amazing seeing every variety of topics you’ve drawn.

The 1st bike 🎉

Sometimes I freeze a scene in the TV and draw it.

❤

Mr. Sketchbook school: Thank you for such positive chanel you have. I like to draw but I gotta bee more disipline on that jabit and is like another positive person told me "simce you got everyting;Ball is in your court" Thank you and may Jehovah god keep helpin you suporting this chanell so you keep encouraging people hwo like spend its time in buildind positive habits.

My husband bought me paper and pencils for Christmas because you inspired me to draw…I’m too scared to start in case I ruin the good paper! Silly me, I’ll start today ❤

Drawing a hellibore today, it's a white flower. Will watercolor later.

-What should I draw?
-Feet. Literally. I bet yall either rarely or never draw these.

Draw whatever is in front of you.
Mess on my desk.
Clutter in the corner.
Art supplies...
...stuff on the shelf.
Lamp on the wall.
Bookshelves.
What's in my pocket? (handbag)
Shoes. Socks.
Bathroom. Toothbrushes.
Door handle.
What's in the fridge? Table?
Raspberries.
Lunch. Snacks.
Bagel, bagel, bagel.
Out the window.
Coffee. Dishes.
Back yard.
Wife, (Husband, kid, grandma)
Bike, Bike, Bike.
As a car/plane passenger.
Collections: Chairs. Suntan lotion. Orange soda. Walnuts. Shopping. Coffee/tea cup. Birds. Dogs. Garbage. Shirts. Pants. Shoes. Pens+. Candy. Hobbies. Hair styles......
Bones.
Places.
People.
Crowds.
Danny on the computer monitor.
Repeat.

Thank you Mr. Danny for this great video.

I go to the store and buy vegetables and fruit. I draw those. Bags of little peppers can keep you entertained for days. I like to do watercolor and the simple shapes are great to learn on. Potatoes and apples are hard though.

Love it! Danny- have you ever thought about a “30 draw challenge? “ for the viewer? Many people can’t decide if there are too many options- maybe develop a simple list of 30 “to draw” ideas- challenge viewers to fill up the first 30 pages of a sketchbook with these 30 “things” - people love contests - love these videos!

Thank you for the encouragement! As you said, with so many objects, people and animals around us I would have thought it would not be difficult to find a subject to draw. But somedays are harder than others. I just have to keep reminding myself that the sketchbook is for ME and no one else unless I choose to share. I am trying to fit a bit of drawing in my daily routine and so far it is working well. Thanks again for a great talk.

Ok but you’re a talented urban sketcher. For beginners? Respectfully, Danny, you make it all look so easy! My favorite suggestion was the walnut. They are all different and would be a great study in shapes (vs what our brain thinks it should be) and in seeing. Terrific. Always inspirational. Thank you.

I really enjoyed this one. Thanks Danny. Just draw!!

I love your encouragement! Thank You!

Thank U!!😍 Amazing!

Heading out today, planning to take my sketchbook along with me! Thanks for the encouragement!

Omg thank u for thisss❤❤❤ u are literally the reason what keep me not wanting to give up on art

Thank you so much Danny! My biggest hurdle seems to be deciding what to draw and secondly , i tend to prioritise everything else before art so i end up being too tired! Drawing and watercolour bring me so much joy, so i have to redress that balance today! Your sketchbooks are so inspiring. Wishing all good things for you and yours..... from N.Ireland.

Always inspiring! Love seeing what's in your sketchbooks.

Thanks for this video!!!! It’s brilliant and just what I need right now. Chemotherapy has made me afraid to start anything (a know effect) and im having trouble doing any art. But I just did!!!! Thank you so much. Question - drawing what’s in the fridge. Did you draw it directly from the fridge with the door open or take a photo? I find it much more rewarding drawing an actual thing rather than from a photo. But sometimes there’s no choice.