high school art sketchbook assignments

100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love

If you’re anything like me, you can never get enough good sketchbook ideas. I’m always looking for ways to engage students so that they truly  want  to work in their sketchbooks. Whether you use sketchbooks for project planning, skill development, brainstorming, or something else, you’ll find ideas here that will work for you. My sketchbook assignments and prompts take an “all of the above” approach, making the following list well-rounded.

Want an eBook with all these prompts? Click 100 Sketchbook Prompts eBook to find it!  

The list covers many bases and is organized by category. There are prompts about animals, food, people, and other things that will spark interest among students. This list is geared toward secondary students, but you’ll find a lot here that will work for younger students as well. Take a look and see what will work best for you and your students. Add your own favorite sketchbook assignment in the comments below!

Click here  to download the list!

These prompts are an amazing place to start. However, knowing how to implement the prompts and manage students with sketchbooks is important, too! If you’d like ideas to help your students develop their creativity, drawings skills, and information retention, be sure to check out the following two PRO Packs, which can be found in our PRO Learning .

• Sketchbook Ideas that Really Work  
• Implementing Sketchnotes in the Art Room

100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love

• Draw someone you sit by in an odd pose.
• Draw family members with things that are important to them.
• Draw yourself (or someone else) painting toenails.
• Find a quiet place in a crowd. Draw the crowd.
• Draw a relative by the light cast from a TV/Phone/Computer or other screen.
• Make a portrait of yourself in twenty years. Or in fifty years. Or both.
• Draw a masked man (or woman) that is not a superhero.
• Draw the ugliest baby you can imagine.
• Draw two sports figures–one in a dynamic pose, one in a static pose.
• Draw two self-portraits with odd expressions.
• Draw something or someone you love.
• Draw hair. A lot of it.
• Take a picture of someone near you on a bus or in a car. Draw them.
• Draw an animal eating another animal.
• Draw your art teacher in a fight with an animal.
• Draw an animal playing a musical instrument.
• There is an animal living in one of your appliances. Draw it.
• Draw a dead bird in a beautiful landscape.
• Draw something from a pet’s point of view.
• Draw an animal taking a bath.
• Draw an animal taking a human for a walk.
• Combine 3 existing animals to create a completely new creature.
• Draw a family portrait. Plot twist: It is a family of insects or animals.
• Draw the most terrifying animal you can imagine. Or the most adorable.
• Draw a pile of dishes before they get washed.
• Tighten a C-Clamp on a banana. Draw it.
• Draw a slice of the best pizza you have ever seen.
• Draw junk food and the wrapper.
• Draw your favorite food.
• Create your own restaurant. Draw the restaurant, your executive chef, and a 12-item menu.
• Draw the ingredients or process of your favorite recipe.
• Draw salt and pepper shakers.
• Draw fresh fruit or vegetables, or something fresh from the oven.
• Draw a salad.
• Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator.
• Draw a piece of fruit every day until it becomes rotten.
• Draw everything on a restaurant table.
• Draw what is in the rearview mirror of the car.
• Draw moving water. Draw still water.
• Draw an object floating.
• Make a drawing of all of your drawing materials.
• Find a trash can. Draw its contents.
• Draw tools that belong to a certain profession.
• Draw three objects and their environments. One of the three should be in motion.
• Draw the interior of a mechanical object. Zoom in, focus on details and shading.
• Create three drawings of messes you have made.
• Draw five objects with interesting textures: wood grain, floors, tiles, walls, fabric, etc.
• Draw a collection of purses, wallets, or bags.
• Draw your favorite well-loved object or childhood toy.
• Draw a watch or another piece of jewelry.
• Draw something hideous that you keep for sentimental reasons.
• Draw something with a mirror image.

Technical Skill/Skill Development

• Draw all the contents of your junk drawer with one continuous line.
• Make a detailed drawing of a rock.
• Draw a dark object in a light environment.
• Draw a light object in a dark environment.
• Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of grass.
• Draw a transparent object.
• Draw a translucent object.
• Do several studies of eyes, noses, and mouths in a variety of poses.
• Draw an interesting object from three different angles.
• Value Studies–Draw three eggs and part of the carton with a strong light source.
• Draw three metallic objects that reflect light. Focus on highlights and reflections.
• Refraction–Create two drawings of separate objects partially submerged in water.
• Make three drawings (your choice of subject) using materials with which you are not familiar.
• Draw a piece of patterned fabric with folds.
• Draw a bridge and all of its details.

Creativity/Originality

• Draw yourself as an original superhero.
• Make a drawing that looks sticky.
• Draw a mysterious doorway or staircase.
• Draw an empty room. Make it interesting.
• Draw a flower. Make it dangerous.
• Draw an object melting.
• Draw an imaginary place, adding all kinds of details.
• Draw a gumball machine that dispenses anything but gumballs.
• Danger! Draw yourself in a dangerous situation.
• You are on the back of the bus. Figure out who is with you, where you are going, and why. Illustrate and explain.
• Draw what’s under your bed (real or imagined).
• Draw the most incredible game of hide-and-seek you can imagine.
• Create a new sport. You can improve an existing sport, combine two existing sports, or come up with something completely new.

Open-Ended Themes

• Make a drawing that is totally truthful.
• Make a drawing that lies all over the place.
• Make a drawing that is completely and utterly impossible.
• Story Illustration: Fix a story that you don’t like, or reflect/improve upon one you do.
• Let someone else choose your subject and tell you what to draw.
• Draw your greatest fear.
• Use song lyrics, quotes, or poetry to inspire a drawing.
• Find the three most useless objects you can and draw them.
• Draw an interesting form of transportation.
• Draw something for which you are thankful.
• Go somewhere new and draw what you see.
• Draw something that can’t be turned off.
• Draw something soothing.
• Draw something you think sounds or smells incredible.
• Draw something that needs fixing.
• Draw something you’ve always wanted.
• Draw something out of place.
• Draw something that should have been invented by now.
• Draw something you keep putting off, or something that causes you to procrastinate.

Does this list inspire you to take some sketchbook assignments head on in your art room? Or maybe the opposite is true and you are finding that you feel underprepared to teach drawing skills. Maybe you fall somewhere in between and you just need a little more inspiration to tweak your drawing curriculum. These are all great reasons to take a peek at our course, Studio: Drawing . The class is jam-packed with hands-on learning experiences, advanced technique tutorials, and opportunities to share and learn with art teachers just like you.

What are your favorite sketchbook prompts to use? How do you use sketchbooks in your classroom?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Timothy Bogatz

Tim Bogatz is AOEU’s Content & PD Event Manager and a former AOEU Writer and high school art educator. He focuses on creativity development, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking skills in the art room.

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Sketchbook Ideas

Sketchbook assignment ideas.

Current HS Sketchbook Assignment Handout :  

Sb assigns-adv hs art q3 2018-19, sb assigns-adv hs art q2 2018-19a.

SB ASSIGNS-ADV HS ART Q1 2018-19

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Requirements for my HS Art Sketchbook Assignments:

You must complete a minimum of 4- 5 assignments listed below in each 9-week period.

• Drawings should fill the ENTIRE sketchbook page (points will be deducted for small drawings.)
• Include DETAILS (include textures & value, unless otherwise specified.)
• Spend a minimum of 45 minutes on each assignment.
• Each sketchbook counts as a QUIZ grade!
• Sketchbooks handed in late will be accepted but 30 points removed for lateness, 2 days late will receive a “0”.
• DRAWINGS NEEDS TO BE FROM DIRECT OBSERVATION ie: you LOOKING at the objects ! That means NOT from memory, photos, or imagination. (except where otherwise noted). Pay close attention to proportions (size relationships)

YOU MUST LABEL EACH PICTURE at the top with the appropriate title (ex: SB #1: Black & White Design )

Size                 0-5

Effort             0-10

Creativity       0-8

Title               0- 2

                     25 pts.

Sketchbook Assignments:

Below are just some of the sketchbook assignments we have done throughout the years. Not listed are the essential contour line & gesture drawings that are required throughout the year.

SB #2: Juxtaposition Drawing: Create a new object by combining 2 unrelated objects-one needs to be from nature, the other needs to be mechanical. Render with full shading. Medium: colored pencil

SB #3: Contour line: Look in your backpack or purse, pull out 5 things you use on a regular basis (phone can not be one!) arrange them in an interesting way, then draw a contour line drawing (outline only) of the composition. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #4: Scissor Metamorphosis : Use a pair of scissors as a beginning point, creatively transform the scissors into something else- a monster, a robot, a machine, a vehicle, an animal. Change its scale & it purpose. Render with full shading . Medium: colored pencils

SB #5: Student Choice: Choose your own subject and complete a drawing using skills & techniques learned in class. Medium: Your Choice

SB #6: Preposterous Cross-links: Choose any 2 words below to combine together in one image:

Turtle      Octopus      Snake        Bird       Bee          Rat    Fish      Cat

Pencil      Saw            Hammer    Pliers     Scissors  Tire    Clock   Drum

Medium: colored pencil

SB #7: Futuristic Mutation : Take an everyday object and use your imagination to redesign it with a futuristic look. Medium: colored pencils

SB #9: Shoe: Draw one of your shoes from your closet. Or a shoe that you think is very interesting (ballet, boot, etc.) ADD FULL SHADING Medium: colored pencil

SB #10: Wheels : Draw something with wheels (Real or imaginary). Medium: your choice

SB #11: 2D & 3D Arrows : Create a full page composition using a combination of 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional arrows. Use overlapping to break up the spaces into interesting positive and negative shapes. Medium: Outline with sharpie and fill the shapes with markers

SB #12: Non-objective: Create a non-objective drawing using lines, shapes (geometric) & color-use a color scheme ! Look at artwork by Wassily Kandinsky for inspiration. Medium: Markers or colored pencils

SB #13: Pet Portrait : Draw a picture of your pet or the pet you would LOVE to have. Medium: Colored Pencils

SB #15: Hand Value Study:  Draw your hand in 2 different appropriate positions (both on the same page). Render with full shading. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #16: Eye Study:   Find 4 different eyes in magazines. Cut them out & glue them to your sketchbook page. Draw the eyes underneath the picture & render with a FULL range of shading. Medium: pencils or colored pencils

SB #17: Color Scheme: Choose your own subject, create an obvious focal point and complete the drawing by coloring it in a color scheme of your choice. Label what color scheme you used next to the title. Medium: Colored Pencils, Paint, or Markers

SB #18: Realistic VS Abstract: Choose one object to draw (an interesting one! NOT simple!) Divide you sketchbook page in half with a pencil line. Label at the top of one side “Realistic” & on the other side label “Abstract.” Under the Realistic side, use a pencil to draw the object as realistically as you possibly can. On the Abstract side, distort your object so that it is still somewhat recognizable-use abstracted colors to color it. Medium: Colored Pencils

SB #19: Crushed Soda Can: Draw a crushed soda can, include details like the logo. Render with full shading. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #20: Worm’s Eye Point of View: Draw your choice of subject matter from a worm’s eye point of view. From below looking up at the subject. Add shading to indicate highlights & shadows. Medium: drawing pencil

Sketching Improves Your Skills

SB #21: Bird’s Eye Point of View: Draw your choice of subject matter from a bird’s eye point of view. From above looking down at the subject. Add shading to indicate highlights & shadows. Medium: drawing pencil

SB# 22: Paper Airplane:     Fold a paper airplane, place it in front of you & draw from direct observation as accurately as you can. ADD FULL SHADING Medium: drawing pencil

SB #23 : Creative Hand Drawing:   Trace you hand -yes I said Trace your hand on your page (tracing is usually forbidden). Use your imagination to turn you hand into something totally different. Add details-make it creative and interesting!    Medium: colored pencil

SB #24 : Cloth Drawing :    Draw the cloth that is hanging on the art room wall. ADD FULL SHADING Medium: Drawing pencil or Charcoal pencil (spray when finished)

SB #25: Interactive Drawing & Photo :  Fine a photo either of yourself or someone else (can be from a magazine). Cut the person out & brainstorm how you can create a drawing that combines the two so that they interact with each other. ADD FULL SHADING Medium: drawing pencils

SB #26: Flat to 3D- Come Alive: Look at the two examples below of a flat drawing-mostly lines/no shading that slowly transforms to become 3D with full shading. See MC Escher’s Drawing Hands for an example. Design your own drawing that morphs from flat to 3D. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #27: Visual Puns : Illustrate 2  visual puns (a visual rendering of a two-word noun phrase that illustrates the combination of the nouns with their literal meaning). Look at artist Don Stewart’s artwork  https://dsart.com/ Examples: hot dog, cat fish, hair brush, two face, fish face, bone head, Angel fish, Bat man, iron man, flower bed, Bed Bug, Boxing Match, Car pool, Card Shark, deviled Eggs, Fire Drill, Fish Tank, Football, Fruit Flies, Hammerhead, Handbag, Home Run, horse Fly, Jail Bird, Lightening Bug, Photo Bug, Strong Box, Submarine Sandwich, Swordfish, Watch Dog, Bird Brain, French Fries Medium: colored pencil

SB #28: Procreate Or Sketchbook App Drawing:  Use your iPad to create an ORIGINAL drawing of subject matter of your choice.  Medium: ipad

S B #29: Botanical Study:  Find a flower or plant from nature. Study it carefully before drawing. Draw the whole plant on 2/3rds of the page. Select 3 areas to “magnify” & draw smaller, partial up-close drawings of those 3 areas including all the details. ADD FULL SHADING Medium: watercolor, watercolor pencil, or drawing pencils

SB #31: Mixed Media Experiments: Have fun experimenting with mixed media techniques. Do the experimenting on other paper, then cut out the different experiments & glue them in your sketchbook. Label each experiment with a brief description of how you created it. Try at least 6 of these different experiments. Use up a minimum of 2 pages in your sketchbook. Medium:  various art supplies

SB #32: Collaged Music Sheet Drawing:  Glue a music sheet onto a page in your sketchbook-Let it dry completely (do at least one day in advance). Choose an image or two to draw with India ink & draw it directly onto the music sheet. Add color with watercolors or colored pencils. Medium: collage, ink, watercolors or colored pencils

Sketching Challenges Your Design Concepts

SB# 34: Line Inventory:   Draw two rows of four squares; one row of four vertical rectangles; and one row of four circles. When you have drawn your blank template, place four different kinds of lines in the first row of squares. Refer to the example below, but do not copy — come up with your own kinds of lines. Then, invent a series of variations on each line in the remaining columns. Medium: ink or sharpie

SB #35: Tool Metamorphosis: See Idea from Stan Winston School Choose a tool (hammer, ax, wrench, pliers, drill) as a beginning point, creatively transform the head of the tool into something else – a monster, a robot, a machine, a vehicle, and instruments, an animal, etc. Change its scale & it purpose. Render with full shading . Medium: colored pencils

SB #36 Balance Sketchbook Assignment: Draw 3 squares or circles. Use shape templates & rulers to create non-objective design examples of each type of balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, & radial). See Types of Balance Lesson. Use Shape templates to create designs that illustrate each type of balance. Fit ALL designs on one page. Label & color them with colored pencils or markers.  Medium: colored pencils or markers

SB #37 Adult Portrait: Find a frontal view of an adult male or female. Cut it out or print it out. Open your sketchbook so it is showing 2 pages (a spread), glue onto the left side your sketchbook. On the right side use what we learned about adult human facial proportions to draw the portrait from the picture. Use light shading to indicate major values (highlights & shadows) or to lightly shade the nose. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #38 Refraction Drawing: Refraction is the visual distortion that happens when an object is viewed through a glass container filled with water (or some liquid). Find an interesting glass container (drinking glass, vase, jar, etc) and place a spoon or fork inside. Fill the container only half-way with water and place it on a light colored surface.  Carefully observe the distortion. Use observational drawing skills to draw the glass, spoon, water & any lights/ shadows you see on the table surface. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #39 Illuminated Letter :   Choose a letter to draw. Go on a computer & play with the letter in different fonts- choose one & print it out. Look up examples of illuminated letters for inspiration. Draw the letter large in your sketchbook in pencil. Add decoration to the letter, possibly even a border Medium: colored pencils, sharpies & markers

Sketching is an integral part of the creative process

SB #40 Fantasy Landscape: Use your imagination to draw a fantasy landscape. It can be anytime period on earth, in space or some other world. What type of plants, flowers, and trees would you see? What does the typography look like? can you see other worlds from the planet you are on? Are there buildings? What is gravity like in the land you are drawing? Medium: colored pencils

SB #42 Color Mood- Know about colors and their effect. Certain colors inspire certain emotions; learn to use them! Choose a color to explore, compose a realistic, abstract or non-objective drawing based on the emotion produced by a single color. Use the tints and shades of a color to add different values to the drawing.  Medium: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, or markers

• Black – authority, discipline, strength and promoting independence.
• Blue – cool, calming, relaxing, and promotes feelings of tranquility and peace.
• Green – balance, refreshing, normalizing, and promotes emotional growth.
• Orange – cheerful, commanding, and stimulates goodwill, conversation and appetites.
• Pink – calming, accepting, and encourages affection and socialization.
• Purple – comforting, spiritual, and generates mystery and a good sense of intuition.
• Red – empowerment, stimulation, drama, competition and passion.
• White – purification, energy, unity, and gives vigor to other colors it is used in combination with.
• Yellow – cheerful, expanding, and increases energy.

SB #43 Cast Shadows: Choose an object that has a lot of broken negative space (like a bike wheel). Using either natural light (Sun) or a lamp, position the light on the object so it creates a long and interesting cast shadow ( see bike example ). Compose a drawing that shows only a portion of the object & MOSTLY the cast shadow . Add value to the SHADOW, the rest can be contour line only. Medium: drawing pencils

How to Draw Steampunk Books:

SB #45 Broken Object Drawing : **ASK parents for an object that is not valuable. Break the object a little and then draw it showing all the broken fragments, tears, and loose debris. ***If you break something glass or metal, please wear protective gear (gloves and goggles) See Example by Armin Mersmann Medium: drawing pencils or colored pencils

SB #46 Travel Drawing : Draw a place you want to visit. Find a reference picture and create your drawing from that. Idea is from Art is Medicine Medium: colored pencils, drawing pencils, or watercolor pencils

SB #48 Merging Animals:  Combine 2 real animals to become a fantasy creature. Use characteristics of both and colors of both in the new design Medium: colored pencils

SB #49 Animal Eyes: Choose an eye to draw from these 4 types of creatures: Animal (land or sea), Bird, Reptile, and Insect. Draw 2 per page so they take up approximately ½ the page. Render with full shading.  Medium: colored pencils or Pen & Watercolor

Sketching brings new ideas & techniques to the surface

SB #50 Small to LARGE Enlargement Drawing : Choose 1-2 small objects to draw (less than 2”). Draw 3 preliminary sketches focusing on an interesting composition that enlarges the object (s) so much that it goes off the page on at least 3 sides of the paper. Medium: drawing pencils

SB #51 Magnification Drawing: Using a magnifying glass, look at an object or insect very closely. Draw the details of what you see. See The Helpful Art Teacher: Drawing Magnified Leaves Medium: colored pencils

SB #52 Sculpted Paper Strips Drawing : Credit- A Faithful Attempt-Curled Paper Drawings Give each student 2 strips of paper (½x11” & 1×11). Have students twist/bend/manipulate them into some type of curl or even add zig-zags. Tape them onto a sheet of paper so they are spread apart. Draw lightly with a HB pencil until they get the proportion just right. Use Drawing pencils 4B to add shading. Medium: Drawing Pencils

SB #55 New & Old: Find 2 objects to draw something new and something old or vintage. It would be most interesting to find an old and new example of one type of object (like phones, computers, mixers, anything that can show the progression of technology) Place them side by side or slightly overlapping each other and then draw them with full shading . Do research on the internet if needed Medium : drawing pencils

SB #56 Grid Journal: Read MilliAnde’s What is Grid Journaling  article, watch her video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmlEY5TK1zo , and view her examples. Choose a piece of architecture to explore (best to be physically present, but if you cannot then find several reference pictures to work from). In NONE of the grids will you draw the whole structure, you will focus on smaller sections.  Following her instructions draw your first box and one detail from the architecture. Next choose another detail to draw, make sure to draw the box to fit the detail. All the boxes should be different sizes. Continue to draw until you have between 7-10 boxes on one page.  Medium : Pen & Ink

Sketching Develops Communication Skills

SB #58: Skeleton of Animal Study: Choose an animal (living or extinct) to draw its skeletal structure. First, draw a contour line -outline ONLY- of the animal (FULL body). Second, draw the skeletal structure inside the outline. Third, use a sharpie to fill in the negative space behind the skeleton. Medium: Drawing pencil & Sharpie

 SB #61: Realistic & Geometric: Choose an animal to draw a head portrait of. Draw a line down the center of the face vertically. On the left hand side draw the animal realistically with color and shading and go over major lines with sharpie. On the right hand side draw the animal as if it were make up of simple triangles, circles and squares (simple geometric shapes) that follow the major contours and textures of the animal. Go over major lines with sharpie and add shading. See examples here &  here .    Medium: Sharpies and Colored Pencils

SB #62 See a Need Fill a Need:  Think of a common problem that humans or animals struggle with. Design a solution to fixing that problem. Write down what the problem is and write out your intentions to fix the problem. Draw the new solution with full coloring. Add descriptions of gadgets to help us understand your ideas. See Invention Idea List below to kick-start your thinking.  Medium: Colored Pencils and Ultra-thin Sharpie

Invention Idea List

• New utensil or tool
• Help someone break a bad habit
• A new way to prevent ___________
• Something to help children who have a certain disability
• Make something safer
• Help find or keep track of _____________
• A better way to ____________
• Recycle ____________ to make or do ____________

 SB #63: Texture Spheres: Draw 6 spheres (2-3″). Apply 6 different textures to the different spheres: fur, fish or dragon scales, craters, basket weaving, spikes, lumpy, bricks or stones .  Make sure your textures follow the contour of the sphere! Watch Video: Pen & Ink Drawing Tutorials | How to create realistic textures (Part 3) Medium: P en and Ink or sharpies 

SB #64: Unique Door Handles:  Find a reference photo of a unique door handle. Draw the door handle large on your page including part of the door in pencil, then use watercolor pencils to paint it. Add DETAILS and shading!  Medium: Watercolor Pencils

SB #65: Story Dice Cubes Drawing: Use Rory’s Story Cubes to roll 3-4 images. Develop a story or scene with these images and illustrate it in your sketchbook. Medium: Colored Pencils and Ultra-thin Sharpie

SB #69 Personification Drawing: According to Dictionary.com Personification is “the attribution of a human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.” Choose a man-made object to draw (stapler, hair dryer, etc) then draw the object, but personify it by giving it a face and other human characteristics. Medium: Sharpie and Colored Pencils

SB #70 Splatter Creature: Splatter some liquid watercolor on your page, blow it around with a straw. Let it dry. Now turn it into a creative creature (obviously fantasy). ADD LOTS OF DETAILS! Medium: Liquid Watercolors, Sharpie and markers

SB #71 Word Illustration: Choose a word (like Autumn, Flower, Candy, Science, etc) and create a FONT in which the letters are illustrations of the word you chose. See https://www.edinaschools.org/Page/4373 for examples of Mr.Henricksen’s 6th grade Word Art Project. EACH letter should be a different illustration of the word (ex: autumn: A-shape of candy corn, u-basket of apples, t-scarecrow, etc.) Medium: Sharpie and Colored Pencils

Sketching Builds Hand-eye Coordination and Develops Fine Motor Skills 

SB #72 Ball Point Pen Drawing: Choose a subject to draw. Render it with shading using only a ballpoint pen. Medium: Black or blue ballpoint pen

SB #73 Board Game Observational Drawing: Set up a board game with some of the game pieces on it. Choose a small section of the board to draw from. Render with shading. See Full Project from Nicole Brisco https://www.incredibleart.org/files/Nicole.htm#Mixed Medium: Drawing Pencils

SB #74 Organic Design Building: Design a building derived from an organic form (form found in nature). Draw the basic organic form and alter it into a building. Add details to the building that are influenced by the shapes, colors and textures of the organic form. See Example at https://www.studentartguide.com/lessons/art-lessons-for-substitute-teachers Medium: Colored Pencils

SB #75 Board Game Observational Drawing: Set up a board game with some of the game pieces on it. Choose a small section of the board to compose your drawing. Render with shading. Medium: Drawing Pencils

SB #76 Design Your Dream Swimming Pool: Design your dream swimming pool. What kinds of special features will it have-slides, bridges, pirate ships, fountains, etc. You can either draw from a bird’s eye view (directly above) or from a frontal view. Medium: Colored Pencils

SB #77  Candy Drawing:  Choose 3 different pieces of candy  (lollipop, ring-pop, gummy bear, peppermint, tootsie roll, candy cane, etc.). Arrange them so the partially overlap each other in an interesting way. Keep the candy in its wrapper (except for lollipops & ring pops). Take a picture of your composition from the viewpoint where you will be drawing from (so you can finish it later if needed). Draw in pencil as accurately as you can while looking at the candy directly. ( Look twice, Draw once ). Once drawn, render with shading in colored pencils. Medium: Drawing & Colored Pencils

SB #78  Thankful :  Think of something or someone you are thankful for. Draw it or them with SHADING! Medium: Drawing Pencils

SB #80 8 Ways of Seeing Part 1: (This assignment will be finished in 2 Parts) Website: https://medium.com/@katerutter/sketch-things-better-with-the-7-ways-of-seeing-6f9a24e5b9dd (my class’s assignment was slightly altered from the article)

Use a full spread (2 facing pages) & divide your sketchbook page into 8 sections- 4 on each page. Choose 1 object to draw & find a reference picture of it (Save to Photos). At the top of each section, write these titles: Symbolic, Gesture, Blind Contour, Simple Shapes, Contrast, Negative Space, Guided Contour, and Cartoon. Medium: 2B Pencil

1: Symbolic: Without looking at the object, draw a simple version of it. Sketch the “idea” of the object, not the specific thing. (think of logo symbols and how simple they are) 2: Gesture: Look at the object and make a very quick sketch of it, using only a few lines. Try to capture the “energy” and “rhythm” of the subject. Work super-fast! 3: Blind Contour: Without looking at your pen or your paper, use your eyes to “trace” the edges of the object, while, at the same time, using your pen to draw the outline in a steady, continuous line. Don’t look at your paper, and don’t pick up your pen! Go slow. 4: Simple Shapes: Stare at the object and break it down into basic shapes in your head. Aim for 3–4 shapes…no more than 6! Draw the shapes on your paper.

8 Ways of Seeing Part 2:  Using the same object from SB#5, create these drawings: 5: Contrast: Stare at the object and identify the shadows and darkest parts. Draw ONLY the darkest parts. Don’t draw outlines or lines unless they are the darkest parts. 6: Negative Space: Draw the space AROUND the object. Try to get as much detail in the shape as possible. When you’re done, draw a box around the shape and quickly fill it in. 7: Guided Contour: Look intently at the object and use your eyes to “trace” the edges of the object, while simultaneously using your pen to draw the outlines and shapes. Glance back and forth between the object and your paper. Try to get as much accurate detail as possible while still working at a quick pace. 8: Cartoon: Turn the object into a cartoon. Use abstraction methods: simplify edges, twist, stretch, pull, distort color, resize, exaggerate.

SB #81 Anthropomorphic: Anthropomorphic , derived from the Greek word anthrōposi , which means “human being”. It means suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things. Toys can move, think and can talk; candlesticks and teapots can sing and dance. Choose an object or animal to transform anthropomorphically. Medium: Colored Pencil

HOW to Draw Anthropomorphic Animals and Objects:

• Make them bipedal (walking on two legs)
• Give them clothing and human accessories (make-up, glasses, hats, etc)
• Create animated facial expressions
• Change their proportions to more human-like body proportions
• Show them holding objects and otherwise change their physical abilities to include human abilities
• Show them doing human tasks (painting, driving a car, etc)

This Website has good ideas of how to create anthropomorphic characters: https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-draw-furries-aka-anthropomorphic-characters–cms-30243

SB #82 Texture Rubbings: Explore physical texture through texture rubbings. Divide your sketchbook page into 10 boxes. Find 10 actual textures from your surroundings. Create rubbings from the textures in your sketchbook by placing the object under your page and rubbing a crayon (on its side) over the object. Label the box with the object. Medium: Crayons & Watercolors

SB #83 16 Circle Challenge: (Modified 30 Circle Challenge ) Use a circle template to draw 16 circles on your page in pencil. Turn each of the circles into unique recognizable objects. You can draw inside and outside the circles. Medium: Drawing Pencils

Additional Sketchbook Resource s:

Student Art Guide: Tips for Producing an Amazing GCSE or A Level Art Sketchbook

Deep Space Sparkle- The Sketchbook Project (k-5th grades)

Other HS Art Project Ideas

• Beyond the Border Pen & Watercolor HS Project
• Mixed Media Drawing Collage
• Motorcycle Mixed-Media Art Lesson High School
• Ceramics Roll-A-Beast Animal Sculptures

Have you done any unique sketchbook assignments with your students? If so, I would love to hear about them! //

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Just found your blog while doing some research on sketchbook assignments. This is a life saver! I am going to assign 10 for now to see how it goes with my students. Thank you for sharing!

Great Cynthia! These are good assignments for developing creativity & imagination. I have used all of these in my classroom & seen success with them! Let me know if you have any suggestions. Michelle

This is amazing! I always struggle with inspiring myself on what to draw, and this is perfect! Something new for every day 🙂

Thank you for the ideas! I am just starting out and find these very helpful. Are these assignments done at home or in class? What type of sketch books do you require? Spiral, bound, hand made?

Hi! These assignments are homework-outside of class (unless they finish a project, then they can work on the sketchbook assignment). I require a 70+ page spiral bound sketchbook (I like the single loop & if it has a folder that’s awesome!). I also prefer a heavier weight (80-90#). I will add a link to the top of this page with what I prefer.

Blessings on your school year!!

These are some great ideas for use as home work, thank you!

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Step by Step Sketchbook Drawing Prompts

Practicing basic drawing techniques can help artists of all ages build confidence and sharpen their technical skills.

I love having my students keep a sketchbook. It’s a great opportunity for students to practice foundational skills, brainstorm artwork ideas, and write and reflect about their own artwork and the artwork of others.

It’s a great place to hit all of the standards of teaching that are NOT about producing finished artworks! I think creativity and self-expression are the pillars of a quality art education, but sometimes it’s time to focus on those drawing basics!

Here is a list of my go-to drawing sketchbook assignments. These are step by step video guided tutorials that are classroom ready or can be done at home! I love doing these in the classroom, but they are perfect for distance learning in our new reality of Covid-19.If you’re not an art teacher or in an art class, draw along with me in your sketchbook to grow your artistic skills.

How to Shade Water Droplets

Facial Proportions for Beginners

Two Point Perspective

One Point Perspective 3-D Letters

Value Scale Zentangle

Contour Drawing

How to Draw an Eye

Value Scale & Sphere Shading

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HI! My name is Sierra Machado and I am an art educator in Oklahoma. This is a creative space dedicated to the craft of teaching and art making. My goal is to inspire young artists, encourage and support fellow art educators and to push myself to create more art. View all posts by Sierra Machado

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10 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love!

Wooo! You decided to (or at least thinking about) start bringing in student sketchbooks in your art class! In my previous blog post, I talked about the many benefits I have found from having students work in sketchbooks every single day. These range from enhancing creativity, improving drawing skills to building classroom communities. I genuinely cannot say enough positive things about the possibilities they can create. But the burning question is always: What the HECK do we draw in them? The short answer is- a variety of different things. With prompts I try to find ideas that are simple enough for a beginning artist to complete, but broad enough that an advanced student can expand upon and add lots of details. I also try to give prompts that require them to put their own interests into to allow me to learn more about them. I also open up my supply cabinets and let them experiment with whatever medium they choose- charcoal, watercolor paint, markers, color pencils, gel pens, etc. I have found by giving them a range of options and choices they feel more inspired to actually *do* the assignments. I also try to find time during the week to do the prompt with them during class. This is just a fun thing to do. It gives me an opportunity to make art with them and they see me modeling what I want them to do. With that being said- here are some of my all time favorite prompts I have done with my students throughout the years. These are all images of my students’ artwork! Feel free to check out the packet of these prompts and others in my TPT shop if you are interested in trying them out with your students!

Circle Challenge

“Fill a page in your sketchbook up with circles and decorate each of them however you want. No less than 45 circles.” Why it’s great: This is a great prompt that pushes their creative skills. What are all the different ways you can take a circle and turn it into something else? How many things can make up a circle? (Donuts, fruit, planets, pizza, peace signs, emojis, more..) It’s also a great exercise to create variety in artwork.

Design a skateboard.

Why it’s great: This is the first prompt I give every year. It’s simple and easy for the students to come up with different ideas. Who doesn’t love a good skateboard design??

Watercolor Doodle Strokes

My students love working with watercolor paint. And the ones that are a bit iffy with it, this is a great way for them to get their feet wet in it (no pun intended). Why it’s great: There’s very minimal drawing needed for this one! They pick a color scheme, fill their pages up with watercolor strokes and fill them in with fun doodles. The doodles can be simply line designs or patterns- or they can be detailed little drawings that advanced students will enjoy doing.

Arrows Challenge

Similar to the circle challenge except it’s “fill up a page with different arrows”. Once they have them all sketched out, they pick a fun color scheme. Why it’s great: One of the biggest challenges with my students and their sketchbooks is making sure they utilize ALL their page space. This prompt is a great way to practice overlapping, variety and space usage.

Song Illustration

Everybody and I mean eeeeeeeverybody loves music and has that one song that speaks to them on so many levels. I love seeing what my students’ favorite songs and music groups are. Why it’s great: The majority of this prompt can be text from the lyrics with a smaller, simpler drawing to compliment the design. Good for beginner art students but your advanced kids will come up with a plethora of creative ideas!

Draw something inside of a jar/envelope.

These are 2 different prompts with the same idea. It’s basically a “free draw” prompt but in a more enclosed space. Why it’s great: These give the students a lot of freedom to draw whatever they want but they don’t have to worry about filling up the *entire* page.

Favorite Decades

Dedicate a page in your sketchbook to your favorite decade. You can include everything from music, toys, fashion, fads and trends to celebrities and movies/TV shows. Why it’s great: This is another prompt that allows you to see your students’ interests. It always warms my millenial heart when someone does a 90s spread!

Keyhole Bedrooms

For this, I recommend they look up photo references (you can also show them a few from the internet). Pinterest (if it’s not blocked from your school server) tends to have the best pictures of bedrooms. I recommend dorm room photos as well because the furniture tends to be very simple and not elaborate. I tell the kids to not worry about achieving a realistic perspective on this one… just try and design a really cool looking room. Why it’s great: This prompt is challenging for many students! It definitely pushes them but they usually end up really enjoying it in the end. If you want to incorporate writing, have them write a story about their room on the back of their sketchbook page. 

Rubber Duck Challenge

I did not even know this was a thing until I saw it in one of my many art teacher facebook groups. It’s definitely being used by many teachers everywhere and for good reason. Ya’ll. They are HILARIOUS. I was seriously wheezing laughter when I was flipping through grading them. It makes me want to turn it into a full blown project- which I may actually do in the future. Why it’s great: This prompt is so freaking weird. And the kids LOVE. IT. They come up with SO many great ideas and it always ends up being a class favorite.

I hope these prompts give you a good place to start with your students. Feel free once again to check out my prompt packet on TPT if you would like to try them out with your students. Happy Art Making!

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OUR NEW BOOK: Outstanding High School Sketchbooks

Last Updated on August 25, 2023

Our book is now available! Please click the following paid links to view the book at the store closest to your location:

We rely on honest reviews and word of mouth to market our books. If you have the time to leave a review on Amazon, this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

About the book

• Are you producing a sketchbook, visual diary, or art journal as part of your high school art course?
• Looking for sketchbook ideas and inspiration?
• Learn how high-achieving students present, annotate, and layout their sketchbooks, visual diaries, or art journals
• View outstanding examples of IGCSE/GCSE Art sketchbooks, A Level Art sketchbooks, National Senior Certificate sketchbooks, NCEA Design and Visual Communication workbooks, IB Visual Arts Process Portfolio pages, and examples from many other high school art qualifications
• A beautifully illustrated book for high school art students, with large, clear images and annotation

Many students are unsure what is expected within their sketchbook or art journal, or how to present their visual investigations in a compelling and creative way.

Outstanding High School Sketchbooks contains sketchbook pages by high school art students from around the world. Many of these sketchbook pages are from projects that were awarded full marks in qualifications such as IGCSE/GCSE Art, A Level Art, VCE Studio Arts, National Senior Certificate, NCEA Design and Visual Communication, and IB Visual Arts.

The examples illustrate a wide range of approaches to sketchbook content, annotation, and layout. They cover a range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, mixed media, graphic design, sculpture, 3D design, architecture, printmaking, photography, textiles, and fashion. The large-scale images show annotation and fine detail, providing excellent learning opportunities.

Sneak peek!

Outstanding High School Sketchbooks begins with tips and advice for those looking to creating a sketchbook, visual diary, or art journal as part of a high school art class. The introductory text is clear, straightforward, and able to be understood by students. These pages are easily photocopiable for use in a classroom situation, creating student-friendly handouts.

Sample pages:

Following the introductory sections, the book contains full-color spreads of sketchbook pages – providing excellent visual examples for students.

If you would like to see more of the interior, Chris Francis, an art teacher from the UK, has shared a short video clip of the book on ArtPedagogy Instagram .

What art teachers are saying about Outstanding High School Sketchbooks

Feedback from the Student Art Guide Facebook page (quotes sourced here and here ):

Feedback from the High School Art Teacher Facebook group :

What art teachers are saying on Instagram :

About the Author

The Student Art Guide has published free educational content for high school art students and teachers since 2013.

Outstanding High School Sketchbooks is our first print publication – we hope you enjoy it!

Introductory text is written by experienced high school art teacher Amiria Gale, with editing by Jan Eyre, an editor with several years of teaching experience. The book is designed to be understood by high school students, providing a visually rich learning and teaching resource.

Please click the following paid links to view the book at the store closest to your location:

The Student Art Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. We link to products that we recommend, including our own books!

Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.

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Discover Powerful, Creative, and Relevant Art Education Lessons & Resources.

Sketchbooks should be a source of creativity and joy for students. They should engage them on a deep level and provide a space for them to discover who they are , allow them to take risks , experiment with a range of mediums and materials, and explore their identity . It is important to provide your students with engaging sketchbook assignments that they can connect to, and through it, discover their identity and passions in life.

Sketchbooks can make or break your art classroom depending on how you implement them. If you are able to set a time and routine for working on your sketchbook assignments, set up expectations of experimentation and quality by using examples of completed sketchbook prompts , and have a unit plan with an aim of what you will cover, then you should be able to implement your sketchbooks into your classroom in a meaningful way while covering many areas of the curriculum .

A sketchbook is a book that is full of drawing quality, blank paper, that is frequently used by artists as a place to draw or paint their ideas. It helps artists work through the creative process, unresolved issues, or ideas for artworks they have in mind. Sketchbooks comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and some even have specific types of paper depending on what medium the artist primarily uses. Sketchbooks begun as a way or providing a readily supply of paper to artists. It is a great way to keep all your scribbles and ideas organized. Every sketchbook is unique and is used in different ways artist to artist. Some use it for jotting down notes and ideas in word form, others use it to draw still life images through their journeys, and some have small artworks on each page.

Topics covered in Visual Arts Sketchbook: Advanced Contents: -Unit Plan (3 Pages) -Lesson Plan Template for Sketchbook Assignments(Page 1- Big Ideas/Content/Competencies, Page 2- Teacher is/student does) -Sketchbook Rubric -Sketchbook Grading Sheet (4 to a page, cut for grading sketchbooks) -How to Start-Up Sketchbooks -How to Use Interactive Sketchbook Pages

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High School Visual Art Drawing Curriculum: 9 Projects, 27 Activities, + Sketchbook Assignments

$ 52.00

Description

Check out a preview of this drawing curriculum here: Drawing Curriculum Preview

This visual arts drawing curriculum is everything I use to teach a semester of high school art drawing but can be adapted for use in upper middle school art classes.  With this bundle, you won’t have to plan a single day of a semester in your drawing class.

This curriculum includes  9 projects, 27 activities, and 9 sketchbook homework assignments . Each lesson includes a lesson plan, supply list, vocabulary, step-by-step instructions, PowerPoints, rubrics, critique sheets, handouts, and anything else needed to complete the project. This art curriculum functions well as an introduction to drawing (2D Design) or drawing II (2D Design II) level course.

This art drawing curriculum focuses on the basics of drawing techniques but also goes beyond traditional materials such as pencil and charcoal.  In addition to learning about shading, value, and using pencil, charcoal, and ink, students also learn about mixed media, printmaking, bookbinding techniques, and much more.

All in all this curriculum includes:

• Timeline with project overview and pacing
• Supply list with project supply breakdown and a comprehensive list

First day of school handouts

• Tell me about you worksheet

Visual Journal Lesson

• Lesson plan  (with a big idea, objectives, vocabulary, national middle and high school art standards, and step-by-step instructions on implementing the project)
• PowerPoint with examples

Saddle Stitch Sketchbook

• Lesson plan, including big idea, goals, objectives, supply list, and step-by-step instructions.
• Saddle stitch bookbinding how to handout

Sketchbook Assignments

• Assigned every two weeks with the following topics:
• Found objects
• Gesture hands and feet
• Negative space study
• Value study
• Drapery drawing
• Self-portrait
• Hand holding an object
• Morphing objects
• Caricature drawing

Gesture Drawing Project

• A lesson plan (with a big idea, objectives, vocabulary, national middle and high school art standards, and step by step instructions on implementing the project)
• Art history presentation on figures in art
• Art history workbook for notetaking and activities
• 2 project PowerPoint, to introduce gesture drawing and the project
• Sketchbook assignment handout
• In-depth figure proportions handout
• Figure proportions quick guide
• Gesture drawing how to
• Project guide
• Critique sheet

Positive and Negatives Space Collage Project

• 2 project PowerPoint, to introduce positive and negative space and the project
• Shape exploration activity handout
• Object study activity handout
• In-progress Critique worksheet

Value Study Activity

• Value handout
• Value and shading worksheet
• Value scale and labeling worksheet
• PowerPoint with an art history focus on Albrecht Düere and his etchings and the images the students draw for the activity
• Assignment checklist

Variations on a Theme, Series of 3 Project

• 2 PowerPoint presentations for examples and project specifics
• Jim Dine artist research
• Value and verve worksheet
• Strong composition checklist and handout
• Project instructions handout
• Critique activity
• Critique labels

Charcoal Architecture Project

• Art history presentation on architecture in art
• Art history sheet for notetaking
• Artist research sheet
• Project PowerPoint, to introduce the project
• 2 warm-up assignments handout
• Critique label

Inviting Change Printmaking Project

• Printmaking PowerPoint
• Topic research sheet
• Sketchbook handout
• Project handout
• Roll a critique guide
• Three sheets with different ways to participate in roll-a-critique individually, in small groups, or as a whole class

Robert Longo Self Portrait Project

✵Design Your Own Final Project

• A lesson plan (with a big idea, objectives, vocabulary, national middle and high school art standards, and step-by-step instructions on implementing the project)
• PowerPoint to introduce the assignment with project examples

Each of my classes is designed to build on the last. This curriculum builds on the lessons and techniques taught in my  Introduction to Art course  and  Drawing I course . This course functions well as Drawing II in this sequence.

Check out my other products  here .

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