How to Draw From Your Imagination

Co-authored by Kathy Leader

Last Updated: December 15, 2022

Drawing from your imagination may seem hard, as you cannot actually see what you are thinking of, but you are not alone. This wikiHow will show you how to draw from your imagination.

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1
Think of an interesting subject that would look quite realistic. Perhaps you would like to draw an animal. If you are not sure which animal to choose, you could look up animals in an encyclopedia, to get some ideas. Or maybe you would like to draw a fantasy character. Again, if you are at a loss for what to draw, read some fairy tales, as these are rich in suggestions.
- Go outside for a walk. Take your phone with you and imagine you're an insect crawling around the leaves. Take close-up images of the bugs and the twigs, leaves, flower petals and grass blades they're walking on and flying around. Remember to snap any textures you find appealing. You can then use these images as idea prompts for your art. For example, you can draw a portion of a plant or a flower, and using the photo as a reference guide, imagine yourself as an insect crawling around the shapes as you draw them.
2
Be inspired. If you don't have any ideas, look at other people’s art for ideas. Look for things you might want to try, see what techniques they use, or just say, "I can do that!"
- Be inspired but don't copy. It's important that you develop your own style and draw deeply upon your imagination to develop your drawings.
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3
Start with using basic shapes then start adding more detail.
- Draw slowly and meditatively. This isn't a competition or a race. Take your time to see what develops.
At first do your picture lightly with a pencil so you don't see the mistakes, and when you're happy with the picture, darken the lines or ink it.
If your subject is a clown, be sure to draw some eyes and ears that look clownish. If your subject is a toaster, look at a toaster and try to zero in on the essential details, so that you can draw them. You will probably want slots for the bread, and some controls for turning on the toaster.
Think about what your character or other subject would inhabit. For example, if your subject is a cow, you could draw a barn, or a field. If your subject is a space alien, draw a distant planet. If your subject is a box of cereal, draw the breakfast table, or the inside of a kitchen cupboard.
Perhaps a lovely dress for a princess, or a sports uniform for a ball player.

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Question

How can I improve my drawing skills?

Community Answer

If you're interested in learning to draw anything specific, like landscapes or horses, you can look for YouTube tutorials. This article may have some more useful tips for you: how to improve your drawing skills.

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How can I get original drawing ideas? My imagination is clogged with Disney.

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Start brainstorming on your own personal interests. If you, for instance, like sports, maybe drawing out your favorite team's logo is a good place to start generating ideas. From there, personalize it and add your own touches. As long as it's creative, then it's original.

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What are some examples of imaginary drawings?

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Aliens eating ice cream, giraffes dancing on rainbows, a ballerina dancing hip-hop on stage, etc. Even if the idea is crazy or absurd, if you like it, you should draw it!

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Tips

Not all art has to be realistic. If all you can draw at first are cartoons, then that's great. It's better than you could do before.

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Listen to music while drawing. It'll sometimes get the juices flowing.

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Don't eat while drawing; it disturbs your brain and can get your drawing messy or greasy.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Start with the basics by drawing cubes, cylinders, balls, and cones. This may seem boring, but trust me, it enhances your imagination and helps you build your drawing skills.

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