100 Drawing Ideas for a Creative Summer

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Ready to nurture your inner artist this summer? Nature is in full effect and there’s so much to be inspired by. Growing up on the coast of Virginia allowed me to appreciate summer at a young age. We would spend all day at the beach. It’s the one place I knew I belonged.

I came up with a list of 100 drawing prompts to help inspire you to add something extra to your creative process.

Use this list for sketchbook cover ideas that will make your art journal come to life. Feel free to experiment with mixed media art, where you can layer and play.

Focus on your art goals in simple ways this summer. Switch it up with a mixed-media sketchbook or art journal. Join me as I fill up my sketchbook. I hope you’ll be inspired along the way.

Get 100 Sketchbook Prompts as a checklist. Download it free!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Summer hobbies:

Draw and write about your favorite summer hobby. Add these illustrations to your sketchbook.

  • camping tent

  • pool floats

  • old bike

  • metal detector

  • frisbee

  • fishing pole

  • bbq grill

  • tennis racquet

  • basketball

  • gardening tools

Family time adventures:

Road trip, dinner night, or zoo visit recently? Don’t forget to record it in your sketchbook.

  • zoo animals

  • balloons

  • pizza

  • cruise ship

  • table seating

  • pets

  • tree house

Coastal inspo:

I hope I get a chance to hit the beach this summer. I grew up on the east coast and miss it so much.

  • waves

  • pebbles

  • shells

  • lighthouse

  • seagulls

  • beach umbrella

  • crabs

  • seaweed

  • jellyfish

  • sailboat

  • surfboard

Hot summer nights:

Did you see a late-night movie, concert, or event? Use this list to help you sketch a new page in your journal.

  • lanterns

  • circus tent

  • ticket booth

  • bumper cars

  • cotton candy

  • popcorn

  • roller coaster

  • Ferris wheel

  • fireworks

Vacation essentials:

What are your top 10 fav items to travel with? Keep it simple with items you love.

  • suitcase

  • beach towel

  • palm trees

  • sand castles

  • backpack

  • passport

  • camera

  • flip flops

  • hiking boots

  • postcard

Summer collectables:

Growing up, I collected seashells and rocks from the beach. Fill a page with shells, sunglasses, or swimsuits.

  • movie ticket stubs

  • postage stamps

  • sea glass

  • pressed flowers

  • comic books

  • summer veggies

  • carnival foods

  • antique coins

  • old keys

  • wax seals

  • bottles

Hiking the trails:

My mom and I love to hike but during the summer we usually go early in the morning cause the Texas heat don’t play.

  • trail map

  • compass

  • binoculars

  • camp stove

  • trail signs

  • mountains

  • wildflowers

  • trees

  • sunset

Wildlife wonders:

Connect with nature and add a few wildlife studies to your sketchbook.

  • butterfly

  • dragonfly

  • sea turtle

  • toucan

  • giraffe

  • zebra

  • monkey

  • elephant

  • deer

  • fox

  • bear

  • wolf

Farmers market:

Is there a local farmers market you like to visit? Include your fav fruits, flowers, or finds from your visit.

  • jars of honey

  • market booth

  • food trucks

  • live music stage

  • cheese wheel

  • baskets

  • farm animals

  • fresh bread

  • handmade soap

  • woven baskets

  • funnel cake

Mermaids vibes:

Embrace the waves, find your inner mermaid.

  • underwater castle

  • shipwreck

  • treasure chest

  • coral reef

  • mermaid crown

  • shell bikini top

  • mermaid tail

  • mermaid scales

  • mermaid mirror

  • mermaid comb

  • pearls

Want this as a checklist? Download it free!

I’ve created a checklist of these prompts, click below to download.

download free checklist

Thank you for joining me! ❤︎