Coming up with sketching ideas can be one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to sketching: simply deciding what to draw. The pressure to create something “perfect” or impressive often holds us back from picking up the pencil in the first place.
But the truth is, the key to successful sketching lies in finding subjects that genuinely catch your eye—whether that’s a sweeping vista, the beauty in everyday mundanity, a striking piece of architecture, or even the rhythms of transport around you.
To help you get started, I’ve put together a few go-to sketching ideas that have worked for me time and again. And if you’re dreaming of expanding your creative horizons, there’s no better place to explore these ideas than on an art holiday in Andalucía, where every corner offers fresh inspiration for your sketchbook.
Join us this October for our Art Holiday to Andalucía, where endless inspiration awaits to fuel your creativity and fill your sketchbook with unforgettable moments.
Looking For Sketching Ideas
When you’re heading out sketching, sometimes the pressure of what to actually draw can be a barrier to getting started. I’ve picked out a few of my go-to subjects to give you some ideas, but remember the key to successful sketching is in finding something that you personally find interesting.
Vistas
I love a good rooftop and find there is no better place to start drawing than up high, with a view of a city. You can zoom in on details or, if desired, explore the entire vista. Urban sketchers relish the opportunity to draw above ground level, and the elevated position offers the artist unparalleled freedom and a new perspective.
In Andalucía, rooftops in Málaga offer sunlit views over the Mediterranean and the iconic Alcazaba fortress—an ideal spot to capture light, shadow, and sweeping cityscapes.
Mundanity
Often a scene that you wouldn’t ordinarily look at twice will be amazing in sketch form—ideas like people sitting outside a small café in the sun drinking coffee, students doing their washing in a laundromat, or a dog resting under a table. All of these scenes might look quite uninteresting as photographs, but drawing can bring a level of artistic gravitas to everyday views.
Sketching opportunities are everywhere, especially where you don’t expect them! The bustling markets of Córdoba or the quiet lanes of Alhaurín el Grande provide rich, everyday moments perfect for sketching.
Travelling
Travel and sketching go hand in hand. Buses, trains, planes, and cars are all great sketching subjects. Everything you pass on the way from A to B offers new opportunities for the urban sketcher, and then when you arrive, there will be a plethora of new people, architecture, streets, and nature to explore.
Whether you’re traveling across Andalucía or on your daily commute, always remember to pack your drawing kit! On our art holiday, there are scenic drives to mountain villages like Mijas, where you can capture stunning views and quaint streets.
Architectural Mayhem
Old, new, classical, brutalist—the more varied the architectural styles in a sketch, the better. A scene where the architecture tells the story of the city will always be interesting and challenging.
In London, you might combine Sir Christopher Wren’s historic buildings with Norman Foster’s modern towers. In Andalucía, the rich history is just as compelling—from the Moorish arches of the Mezquita-Catedral in Córdoba to the whitewashed charm of Mijas and the Art Deco buildings in Málaga.
Inspiration from Andalucía
If you’re looking for fresh sketching ideas, there’s nowhere quite like Andalucía to fill your sketchbook with inspiration. Our art holiday in Spain is designed for anyone who loves drawing—whether you’re after urban sketching ideas, want to capture quiet travel sketchbook moments, or simply enjoy exploring new places with a pen in hand.
From the sunlit rooftops of Málaga to the whitewashed streets of Mijas, the historic courtyards of Córdoba, and the peaceful lanes of Alhaurín el Grande, this trip is packed with easy travel sketching ideas for artists of all levels. You’ll have time to pause, observe, and sketch the architecture, nature, and everyday life that make this region so captivating—perfect for filling your sketchbook with inspiration.
5 Minute Thumbnail Sketches Exercises
If you haven’t sketched for a while, doing a few quick sketches is a great way to loosen up and build your confidence. These exercises focus on working quickly and challenging yourself to use different media. The goal is to capture the essence of your subject swiftly—without worrying about perfect accuracy.
Try using the opposite of what you’d normally choose to sketch a subject. For example, if the scene is delicate and complex, try using a fat pen or a large chunk of charcoal instead of fine liners. Select three or four different types of media—pen, pencil, charcoal, brush pen, for example—and work in a sketchbook no larger than A4 to keep your focus sharp and your speed up.
Find a location with multiple angles and views. Vary the scenes in your sketches—a close-up of a plant or tree in one, and a specific architectural feature in another. Allow yourself five minutes per sketch to capture each view.
Exercise 1
- Choose your first medium, set a timer for five minutes, and start making marks immediately, beginning with the key structural shapes.
- Focus on small areas within the larger scene and fill these in quickly. Use natural lines—like those of buildings or lampposts—to frame your wider composition.
- Keep your eyes on the subject for most of your sketching time. The more you look, the better your sketches will be. After getting the basic shapes down, add details to build up your drawing.
- Just before time runs out, add any final touches—tone, shadows, or perhaps a figure to bring life. Try to include as many details as possible but don’t labour your marks—keep your movements quick and relaxed.
- When the timer sounds, turn the page, reset it, and repeat with a different subject and medium. Do this three or four times and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your sketchbook fills up and how each medium makes you approach the subject differently.
Exercise 2
Repeat the process with a different medium, such as a brush pen.
Travel with us to Andalucía this October
Whether you’re inspired by the vibrant markets, sun-soaked plazas or historic architecture of Andalucía, these quick sketch exercises are perfect practice to loosen up your hand and your creative eye. And if you’d like to explore all this with like-minded creatives, join us on our art holiday in Andalucía this October—where every moment is an invitation to draw, discover, and delight in creativity.
Whether you’re inspired by the vibrant markets, sun-soaked plazas, or historic architecture of Andalucía, these quick sketch exercises are perfect practice to loosen up your hand and your creative eye. And if you’d like to explore all this with like-minded creatives, join us on our art holiday in Andalucía this October—where every moment is an invitation to draw, discover, and delight in creativity. Looking forward to it.
Warmest wishes,
Phil Dean
