7 Practical Crayon Drawing Ideas for Your Sketchbook

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

6. Illustrate a Children's Book Scene

7. Experiment with Abstract Art

Unlocking the colorful potential of your crayon box can seem daunting, but don't worry, we've got you covered! Whether you're a seasoned artist or a sketchbook newbie, we've compiled a list of seven practical yet fun drawing ideas with crayons. Each one is designed to help you explore different techniques and styles, stimulate your creativity, and fill your sketchbook with vibrant works of art. So, grab your favorite crayons, and let's get started!

1. Create a Colorful Sunset

Colorful sunsets are a delight to the eyes and a joy to recreate with crayons. The blend of warm and cool colors provides an excellent opportunity to play with your crayons in a way you might not have before. Here's a simple way to create a stunning sunset:

Materials You'll Need:

Crayons in a variety of colors. Reds, oranges, yellows, purples, and blues often make the most striking sunsets.
A sketchbook or a piece of drawing paper.

Steps:

Set the Scene: Start by sketching a simple landscape at the bottom of your page. This could be a horizon line, a silhouette of trees, or even a city skyline.
Color Blocking: Above the landscape, block out areas for different colors. Start with a red area at the horizon, followed by orange, yellow, light blue, and then darker blue at the top of the page.
Blend: Now comes the fun part, blend the colors together where they meet. You can do this by lightly layering one color over the other, creating a seamless transition. This is where crayons really shine—their waxy nature makes them perfect for blending!

By the end of this exercise, you'll have a breathtaking sunset that will add a splash of color to your sketchbook. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment with different color combinations and blending techniques. Happy drawing!

2. Sketch Your Pet

Looking for a fun and personal crayon drawing idea? Why not draw your pet? Capturing their unique quirks and personality traits can be a rewarding challenge. Plus, it's a great way to create a keepsake of your furry, feathered, or scaled friend!

Materials You'll Need:

Crayons in colors that match your pet's fur, feathers, or scales. Don't forget to grab a black crayon for outlining and adding details!
A sketchbook or a piece of drawing paper.

Steps:

Outline: Start by sketching a simple outline of your pet. Try to capture their unique features. Do they have a spot over one eye? A fluffy tail? Don't forget these details!
Coloring: Next, start coloring in the outline. Start with lighter colors, then layer on darker shades to create depth. Remember, the direction of your crayon strokes can mimic the texture of fur or feathers.
Details: Use your black crayon to add in the final details, like the shine in their eyes or the texture of their fur.

There you have it! You've created a beautiful sketch of your pet using just crayons. Remember, perfection is not the goal here. The most important thing is to have fun and create a drawing that captures your pet's unique charm. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your crayons and start sketching!

3. Draw an Enchanting Forest

Why not take your crayon drawing skills outdoors, literally! Drawing an enchanting forest can be a therapeutic and immersive experience. All you need is a splash of imagination, a dash of patience, and of course, your vibrant crayons. Let's dive in!

Materials You'll Need:

A broad set of green crayons—light green, dark green, and everything in between.
Browns, yellows, and oranges for the tree trunks and foliage.
Blues and whites for the sky, and perhaps a hint of a river or a lake.
Your trusty sketchbook or drawing paper.

Steps:

Start with the Trees: Begin by drawing the trees. Remember, in a forest, no two trees are alike. Some are tall and slim, others are short and stout. Variety is key here. Use different shades of green to create a sense of depth.
Add the Sky: Next, sketch in the sky peeking through the treetops. Use lighter blues at the horizon, gradually getting darker as you move upward.
Details: Finally, add your details. Perhaps there's a path winding through the trees. Or maybe a river gurgling in the distance. Could there be a deer peeking from behind a tree? The beauty of this drawing idea with crayons is that you're in control of every detail.

And voila! You've drawn an enchanting forest with crayons. This project can be as simple or as detailed as you like. The goal is to enjoy the process and create a drawing that transports you to a peaceful woodland, right from the comfort of your home. Happy drawing!

4. Capture a Cityscape

Alright, let's switch gears from serene forests to bustling cityscapes. Drawing a cityscape with crayons can be an exciting challenge, but with a little planning and some creativity, you can create a vibrant, detailed cityscape that pops right off the page. Ready to give it a shot? Here's how you can get started:

Materials You'll Need:

Various shades of gray and blue crayons for the buildings and the sky.
Brighter colors like red, yellow, and green for the city lights and cars.
Your drawing paper or sketchbook.

Steps:

Plan Your Cityscape: Start by deciding what kind of cityscape you want to draw. It could be a dazzling skyline, a busy street, or a peaceful park in the middle of the city. Sketch out a rough outline of your cityscape.
Color the Buildings: Next, fill in the buildings with different shades of gray and blue. Vary the colors and sizes of the buildings to make your cityscape more interesting. Don't forget to add windows!
Add the Details: Now it's time to add the details that will bring your cityscape to life. This includes city lights, cars, pedestrians, trees, and anything else that you imagine in your city. Use brighter colors for these details to make them stand out against the buildings.

And there you have it - a unique, colorful cityscape drawn with crayons. Remember, it's all about having fun and letting your creativity shine. So, why not grab your crayons and start sketching your very own cityscape today?

5. Design Your Dream Home

Have you ever imagined what your dream home would look like? Maybe it has a sprawling garden, or perhaps it's a cozy cottage by the sea. Well, now's your chance to bring that dream to life—right in your sketchbook! Drawing your dream home with crayons is not just fun, but it can also be a great way to express your personal style and creativity. Here's a simple step-by-step process to get you started:

Materials You'll Need:

A wide range of crayon colors to match your dream home's color scheme.
Your trusty sketchbook.

Steps:

Brainstorm Your Ideas: Think about your dream home's design. How many rooms does it have? What does the exterior look like? Any special features like a pool or a beautiful garden?
Sketch the Outline: Once you have a clear idea, sketch out the basic structure of your home. Don't worry about the details yet, just focus on the shape and size of the building.
Add the Details: Now the fun part—adding all the details! Use your crayons to add colors, textures, and features to your home. Maybe you want brick walls, or perhaps a blue roof. It's your dream home, so let your imagination run wild!

And there you have it—a beautiful, colorful representation of your dream home. Isn't it amazing how a few drawing ideas with crayons can turn dreams into reality, at least on paper? So, why not pick up those crayons and start designing your dream home?

6. Illustrate a Children's Book Scene

Remember the magical feeling of stepping into a vividly colored world every time you turned the pages of your favorite children's book? Now, you can recreate that magic right in your own sketchbook. Illustrating a scene from a children's book is one of the most delightful drawing ideas with crayons. It's not just a fun exercise, but can also help you rediscover your childhood favorites from a whole new perspective.

Materials You'll Need:

A variety of crayon colors to bring your scene to life.
Your beloved sketchbook.

Steps:

Pick Your Scene: Choose a scene from a children's book that you loved. It could be anything—from the wild rumpus in "Where the Wild Things Are" to the whimsical tea party in "Alice in Wonderland".
Get Sketching: Begin by sketching the basic elements of your scene. Remember, children's book illustrations are generally simple and stylized, so don't worry about making it perfect. Focus on making it playful and engaging.
Add Colors: Here's where your crayons come into play. Use them to fill in your scene with vibrant colors. Try to capture the mood of the scene—is it a sunny, happy day or a mysterious, magical night?

Through this activity, you'll realize just how powerful drawing ideas with crayons can be. They can transport you back to your childhood, making you the author and illustrator of your own magical tale. So, why not revisit your favorite stories and give this fun activity a try?

7. Experiment with Abstract Art

If you've ever felt that the rules of realistic drawing are too confining, then abstract art is your playground. Abstract art throws all those rules out the window — letting your creativity run wild. The best part? Crayons are the perfect tool for this. Their bright colors and easy-to-manage form makes them ideal for expressing emotions, ideas, or even music. Yes, you read that right — music! That's the beauty of abstract art, it's all about your interpretation.

Materials You'll Need:

A wide array of crayon colors.
Your trusty sketchbook.

Steps:

Set Your Mood: What are you feeling right now? Joyful, calm, anxious? Choose a color that represents that emotion. For example, you might choose blue to depict calmness.
Start Drawing: Let your hand move freely across the page. Don't worry about what it's supposed to look like. The objective here isn't to create a recognizable image, but to express what you're feeling.
Add More Colors: Introduce more colors to your drawing. Each color can represent a different emotion or thought. The more colors, the more complex your emotional landscape.

Abstract art can seem intimidating at first, but once you let go of your expectations and just let the crayons do their work, you'll find it's one of the most liberating drawing ideas with crayons. Plus, it's a great way to explore your emotions and thoughts in a visual way. So, grab your crayons and start doodling—there's no right or wrong here, only fun and creativity!

If you enjoyed discovering new crayon drawing ideas for your sketchbook, don't miss the workshop 'Connecting To Drawing: Colour' by Molley May. This workshop will help you explore the world of color in drawing and enhance your creativity and artistic skills by experimenting with various techniques and mediums.