What should you draw? Tips on subject matter for beginners

[@SketchBookSkool]

If you'd like to learn how to draw, watch my free tutorials on this channel. Here's the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLINz5dTN9-0tS0FEA3UhAB4NVg7oiD6Iy

[@liquidblueyes]

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. ♥️

[@heikesiegl2640]

Same here ^^`

[@robsonag]

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.

[@niguel4438]

In other words draw everything!

[@SketchBookSkool]

Maybe I should have just said that and saved you a few minutes!

[@niguel4438]

@@SketchBookSkool sorry me being cheeky!

[@xx011]

I drew a phone with this video & comment section on the screen! 😜

[@DarkClouds2014]

right up my alley! I have been staring at my blank A4 paper on my desk for the past 2 hours.

[@UJB123]

Draw your coffee cup near a bottom corner, that's what I do to get started

[@Kay-xb9cp]

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 ❤

[@jjgregory9354]

This is a common problem! Danny gave me the best advice years ago to take any brand new sketchbook and open it to the middle and do a drawing there first! Good luck, and remember you DESERVE the good stuff.

[@Kay-xb9cp]

@@jjgregory9354 Awww thank you! I’m still trying to pluck up courage to do a drawing on my ‘good paper’!!

[@rengsn4655]

You are worth the good paper! Your husband knows it too

[@Kay-xb9cp]

@@rengsn4655 Thank you for the encouragement, I really appreciate that. I managed to do my first drawing yesterday afternoon, a cup…it’s not great, looks very 2 dimensional, but at least I’ve started 😁

[@rengsn4655]

@@Kay-xb9cp that's great! ooh are you joining the #10daydannydraw challenge?

[@theroadhome_Liz_Summers]

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!

[@PersonalJungle]

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

[@thebellaluna]

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

[@SketchBookSkool]

Have fun!

[@LauraWilliamsSharingLife]

This is amazing - honestly have loved your series and keep getting better! You are so talented plus skilled as I’m learning drawing is a skill. It’s inspiring to hear that you learned how to draw as an adult bc I am too / was never good at drawing growing up and am still not good yet but going to keep learning and am teaching my kids how so that we can enjoy and use this skill together / so excited thank you!

[@sirguy6678]

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!

[@SketchBookSkool]

That's a cool idea. Anyone else like it? I'll set up a poll in the Community section

[@sophiebasra5628]

@@SketchBookSkool i love this idea

[@rachelnoble7326]

@@sophiebasra5628 me too!

[@CherylsCreativeWorld33]

@SketchBookSkool - yes! This is a great idea! I’d do it, and it encourages habit, and it would be fun!

[@southernrun9048]

Great idea !

[@kava2021]

I am so impressed with all the drawings and different sketchbooks that you had created. It’s like the more you draw, the more you experiment with different media and paper. Thanks for a great video. It has inspirational to jumpstart my drawing habit.

[@nadanada5488]

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

[@ednalama4244]

Thanks Danny , You are so encouraging, I love your inspiring videos and newsletters 😊

[@shanetreichel4127]

I find your voice very soothing It's very helpful with your lessons. I was a very active drawer 30 yrs ago and I believe you can bring me back to the fold.

[@teripittman]

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.

[@jodycourt]

THANK YOU for this. I just drew YOU in my sketchbook just now, and I must say, it looks a lot like you, even tho is is not perfect. You've got a good face to draw with lots of character.

[@giselesmith7795]

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.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Absolutely!!

[@LarysaNick]

Thank you from Ukraine 💛💙

[@thissunchild]

I've watched this video a great many times now. I always come back to it when I feel i don't know what to draw. I find it very inspiring.

[@annelise8014]

I love it - "all the reps I've done at the drawing gym."

[@crespinsalventosa7123]

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

[@toshabeans]

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 ❤

[@dfblake7]

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.

[@recoveringsoul755]

Drawing feels like a fun thing, a reward. How could I dare draw when there are dishes to wash first? I feel guilty when I SHOULD be doing something productive Worried about what "other people" would say

[@esther-j]

Thank you so much for the ideas, inspiration, and relieving the pressure of perfection. Also, for showing how drawing can become a part of my everyday, average life. It is so helpful.

[@garywetzel8240]

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.

[@jjgregory9354]

This is such a good idea for you, it will take some work but if you fall in love with the process the results will take care of themselves. We will be cheering you on.

[@SuperJhaynes]

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

[@ArpitaBhawal]

I found your videos last night when I was wondering what to do about my art practice. I started doing art again in 2018 to deal with my anxiety and care giver fatigue. That was nearly after a break of 25 years from the time I was immersed in it. Thanks for the encouragement. I find everyday things so boring to draw. 😅 So I end up drawing stuff that are generally from photos and images. But I have lost the drawing "everything" skill which I had. Maybe I am going to give it a shot again. ❤ Thank you for sharing your works.

[@jeanneratzlaff2640]

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.

[@kathleenhensley5951]

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.

[@jenniemcdonald3480]

Great advice. Thank you for giving me the freedom to draw whatever I want and NOT caring if it's a masterpiece or not. I think I was too caught up in the idea of having to have something worth sketching and not realizing that I can just sketch anything. Loved the tour of your sketchbooks as well. Just wonderful.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Wonderful!

[@poetofsounds]

One of the best videos I've ever seen

[@elizabeththompson6345]

This really hit me hard: draw everything! So I did, last night I draw some of the stuff on my worktop, drew me watercolor swatch card, who knows what I will do today? My new favorite coffee mug, my old favorite coffee mug, my breakfast, the sleepy dog at my feet, the snow out my window? I retired about 6 months ago and decided I need to keep busy. Digging through the KZbin plethora and found your platform. JJ and you make it fun! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@jjgregory9354]

💖

[@melindareynolds7867]

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

[@DollfieMew]

I drew a bunch of bird beaks from my head and now I'm going to look up those birds and draw thier beaks with a reference to see the difference. I love that you drew your shirts, I did that too!

[@ShivaJalali1149]

Thank you dear Danny 🙂🙏🏻👍🏻🍃🌸

[@lenepedersen5506]

I also use ideas from tv or radio. The other day I heard a programme about orcas. So I drew orcas. I also use the idea Jan Johannson (jazz) said: sometimes it has to be ugly. He didn't just compose nice easy listening music but also music that tears your mind into 1000 pieces 😊

[@dinadomingues6197]

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

[@SketchBookSkool]

How wonderful. Im so glad I could be part of your journey.

[@SaBluebird]

Thanks really

[@Alexandra-zu8qw]

This is so funny! First thing I did, watching your first video, was drawing you, on my phone, on my bedsheets, where I was watching XD!

[@SilvanaDiBella-h4c]

Incredibile! Posso farlo davvero! Grazie😊

[@jeanneratzlaff2640]

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! :-)

[@SketchBookSkool]

Go for it!

[@21ruevictorhugo]

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.

[@JF-kv1gm]

Just do what enables you to draw. Drawing from real life isn't always possible so take a snap. You can always limit yourself to , say, 5 or 10 minutes to avoid perfectionism.

[@talerzyk2827]

​@@JF-kv1gmwhat I do, I look for a random object at home or on Pinterest, set my phone's automatic screen turn off to 10 minutes and draw with that simple timer

[@recoveringsoul755]

I was wondering the same thing about the refrigerator image. There isn't very much in mine

[@SketchBookSkool]

I did draw directly from the fridge but pretty quickly. The fridge kept beeping at me but the contents survived!

[@carolinependleton8445]

Your art is so inspiring,thankyou for sharing your fabulous sketchbooks.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thank you so much 😀

[@oneatatime8677]

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.

[@jjgregory9354]

Awesome, keep going!

[@katsmith8263]

That's why drawing challenges are great, they just tell you what to draw 😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@p5rsona]

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

[@Jerry_064]

Your channel is very inspiring! Thanks for making videos!

[@dominiqueguillon6538]

Dear sir, I'm a French lady and I love your enthousism and benevolance. I would like to ask a question : How do you choose your priorities? How do you define the time of the day to draw? And not find yourself guilty of doing it... Thank you in advance.

[@susanp6857]

Genius! Thank you!

[@laurak5196]

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.

[@SketchBookSkool]

It's not talent. It's practice. Start drawing anything. Good or bad isn't the point. Just do it.

[@laurak5196]

@@SketchBookSkool I hear you - I’m good at faces and birds, animals, etc. (Which I never thought I could draw, or any other subject, for that matter) But when I’ve tried to draw buildings……or simplify an urban scene, I may as well have no miles on my pencils. Without a clear understanding of perspective, and simplification, etc., it seems to me that urban scenes are a big ask of a beginner. Maybe it’s just me 🤷‍♀️

[@katsmith8263]

Usually it's apples

[@monpetson]

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

[@SketchBookSkool]

You can do it!

[@jeanettemarmor9982]

This is the first video that I love so much and makes sense ‼️‼️‼️‼️ I’m going to buy a sketch pad. Which materials should I get? To have in a travel pouch ? I can’t take everything 😂

[@laurawray6303]

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

[@ABB14-11]

So incredibly inspiring ❤ Thank you 🙏🏽

[@MuchasTeacup]

inspiring as always, thy!

[@UJB123]

Most excellent!

[@CamperGirl03]

Fascinating!!

[@Piwonia67]

Thank you for your videos, they help me so much.

[@liztheArtmagpie]

This was great, thank you. :)

[@Poohze01]

I love your encouragement! Thank You!

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thanks for watching!

[@mardezlant]

I like the way you think. Good video.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thanks for watching

[@caro1591]

Haha I was drawing your face while watching this!

[@arturogonzalesdelvallegalv7131]

The 1st bike 🎉

[@trevorcoultart]

Inspirational. Been really enjoying your stuff. One question - do you always sketch from 'life' or is it sometimes from photographs? (If I'm sketching my food I want to eat/drink it while it's still hot! So I'll photograph it and draw from the photograph. Also rarely feel brave enough to sketch out in public so again work from photographs.)

[@trevorcoultart]

(Update - just as I was finishing the above I got to the part where you discuss drawing faces from photographs, so I know you do that sometimes!)

[@isabelmartin40]

Thank U!!😍 Amazing!

[@SketchBookSkool]

You're welcome 😊

[@renefoged3657]

great video :-))

[@jellyfish1969]

Draw what you like looking at, because in drawing it, you'll be looking at it a lot.

[@miafern294]

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.

[@deepthi6249]

I need a tip of how to take your sketchbook with you everywhere for the first time ? And not feeling hesitation to take a sketchbook with you

[@theresapalmer7892]

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

[@sandragustafsson3125]

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?

[@SketchBookSkool]

Great idea. I shall.

[@sandragustafsson3125]

@@SketchBookSkoolFantastic! Thank you! =D

[@stardoogalaxie9314]

I wonder how do you keep yourself from being overwhelmed by detail when looking at a subject? I also wonder how do you manage to stare long enough at a person to draw them?

[@begundaltua]

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?

[@ericklassen742]

Hi Danny, I've been a sub for quite a long time. Two tings (at least) have happened in that time. 1. KZbin is flooding us with ads. 2. Your voice seems to be getting softer. Perfect Storm = These issues present a problem. I'm having a hard time hearing your whispers, so I increase the audio volume on KZbin. Then, the assholes (that's French for nice people) at KZbin interrupt with random ads BUT at increased audio level. Now the neighbour in my condo is pissed with me because I watch KZbin late at night sometimes the loud ads disturb him. Long story, short = If you increased the audio level when you make your clips, it would be the same as everyone else on YT and I wouldn't have to crank up the volume just for your vids. Thanks for listening.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@curlew-3592]

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

[@jjgregory9354]

We named her after Twiglets the snack which are so hard to find in America - we LOVE them, and her!

[@astridarroyave]

❤

[@evelyne7071]

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

[@anishawoods8443]

Except for art classes, my sketch books are filled with doodles. I have to learn patience because drawing is demanding in that way. For instance, one class I had to draw something and color whatever it was. I drew my crumpled moccasin slipper and my mother (loved her very much all her life) said to me: You draw the weirdest things…

[@lagian7763]

So it wouldn't be completely fatal to draw from photographs as well from time to time...? I just startet drawing and I don't feel confident enough to draw in public yet...

[@SketchBookSkool]

Of course not. I often draw from photos when I want to explore different subjects. The main things I just to draw.

[@hanichay1163]

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

[@jjgregory9354]

Terrific! Danny often takes a page of his sketchbook and draws 9 little squares and fills them in over a watch session with small off the cuff frames from TV. Try it, you might like it too. It totally takes any pressure off. And, the end result is a very groovy looking page in your book.

[@daedaluswriting9350]

I attempted to draw you 0:16

[@inforestsweheal]

I think cats are interesting.

[@Splat654]

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

[@jjgregory9354]

Danny has about 6 framed drawings in his studio ( many more images tacked up on the walls with pins and tape that rotate) but one of the framed is a simple drawing of his own foot. True story.

[@hotpieceoftoast6909]

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

[@jjgregory9354]

People and cars make repetitive motions so study a while and then you can make interpretations if the original subject exits scene!

[@hotpieceoftoast6909]

Thanks for the tip