How to Start Drawing When You Don’t Know What to Draw

“Not knowing what to draw” is a problem we often face when painting. For example, you really want to draw, your brush is in your hand, but your mind feels like it’s on pause. Or you search online for references, see a composition that’s too complex, colors that are confusing, and slowly you have no idea where to start.

What’s really stopping us from putting brush to paper is a subtle worry. It’s like when we want to do something, but before even starting, we imagine all the things that could go wrong. Fear is the worst enemy—fear is our own greatest obstacle.

Creating is a process of facing the unknown, and it shatters our perfectionism. Especially when we’re just starting out with drawing—or doing anything—imperfection is actually the norm.

So how do we overcome the “I don’t know what to draw” problem?

First, change your goal from “making a perfect painting” to “just draw something.”
You can draw the cup on your desk, the clouds outside your window, your dog doing something silly at home, or even random lines, shapes, or doodles. Just get your hand moving, and let your subconscious and momentum do the rest.

Second, treat drawing as “recording,” not “producing a masterpiece.”

Break the big goal of a “finished artwork” into small daily steps. Use drawing like a diary—record the light you see, your mood, the story you want to tell, or flashes of inspiration that suddenly come to you in a sketchbook.

Third, allow yourself to be imperfect and make mistakes.

If you can’t draw something, it’s often because you’re trying to get it right in one go—but very few things in this world happen perfectly on the first try. Inspiration isn’t some magical gift; it’s the side effect of accumulation, thinking, and habit. Behind every beautiful, polished artwork, there are often hundreds or thousands of failed attempts.

So next time you don’t know what to draw, try telling yourself:

“It’s okay. Just draw something.”

Even if it turns out wrong or messy, the worst that happens is you waste a sheet of paper.