Sketching random doodles for years shows that starting with basic shapes is where the magic happens! You don’t need fancy art supplies or years of training to create these basic doodle ideas that’ll make you smile.
Whether your drawing a wonky circle that becomes a cheerful sun or scribbling lines that somehow turn into the perfect flower, these simple ideas will surprise you with how satisfying they are.
There’s one particular technique that changes everything.
Essential Drawing Supplies for Quick and Easy Doodles
One of the best things about doodling is that you don’t need fancy art supplies to get started.
You probably have everything you need lying around your house right now!
Grab any pen, pencil or marker and you’re ready to create basic doodles.
Here’s what I use:
- Paper, sketchbook or draw it in your bullet journal
- Pencil or mechanical pencil with a good eraser
- Or drawing pen (this is our favorite)
- Colored pencils or markers if you feel like adding color
- Optional: white gel pen for highlights or cute lil details
These easy doodles for beginners and beginner drawing ideas work perfectly with simple supplies.
Basic Doodle Ideas Anyone Can Try
I’m gonna share some super simple doodle ideas that’ll make you feel like an artist, even if you think you can’t draw a straight line to save your life!
These basic sketches are perfect for beginners because they’re forgiving, fun and require zero fancy skills. Just your pen and a little creativity.
The images in this post were created with the help of AI. I personally prompted and edited each image to make sure they look great for you. Think of them as fun digital creations designed to inspire and help you create your own unique projects!
Let’s start with these foolproof doodles that anyone can master.
Simple flower
Flowers are a natural playground for creativity, and they’re way more forgiving than you’d expect!
Start with a simple circle center, then add five or six petals around it.
Each petal can be wonky and unique… that’s what makes them charming and totally yours!
Related: Spring Flower Drawing Ideas
Sunshine
Once you’ve got flowers down pat, sunshine doodles practically draw themselves and bring instant happiness to any page!
Start with a simple circle, then add rays shooting outward in all directions.
Don’t worry about making them perfectly even… wonky rays actually look more cheerful!
Add a smiley face inside and you’re done.
Cup of coffee
Nothing beats a cozy coffee cup doodle when you’re looking for something that’s both simple and satisfying to draw!
Start with a basic mug shape, add some steam swirls rising up, and maybe throw in a cute smiley face.
You can even add little hearts in the steam… because who doesn’t love their morning caffeine fix!
Paper airplane
Paper airplanes are literally one of the most nostalgic doodles you can create, and they’re surprisingly fun to sketch!
Drawing these offers so many different angles you can try.
Start with a simple triangle shape, add some fold lines, and boom: you’ve got yourself a classic paper plane that’ll take you back to childhood instantly!
Crescent moon
While you’re gazing up at the night sky, there’s something absolutely magical about sketching a crescent moon that instantly adds dreamy vibes to any page!
The process is wonderfully simple: just draw a backwards “C” shape and you’re done.
Add some cute stars around it, maybe a sleepy face and you’ve got yourself an enchanting little doodle masterpiece!
Cactus in a pot
Since cacti are basically the perfect pet for anyone who’s ever killed a houseplant, drawing one is gonna be your new favorite go-to doodle!
I start with a simple oval pot, then add a rounded or tall cactus shape.
Throw in some spikes with tiny lines, maybe a flower on top, and you’re done!
House
Drawing a house might sound super basic, but it’s one of those doodles that never gets old and you can totally make it your own!
Start with a simple square, add a triangle roof, then go wild with windows, doors and chimneys.
Maybe throw in some flowers or a picket fence for extra charm!
Tiny tree
Trees might seem intimidating to draw, but tiny doodle trees are actually one of the most forgiving subjects you’ll ever tackle!
Start with a simple trunk line, then add a cloud-like shape on top for leaves.
Don’t worry about making it perfect. Wonky trees have more character anyways!
Fish
Two simple curves are all you need to create the most adorable fish doodles that’ll make you wonder why you ever thought drawing was hard!
Start with a sideways oval for the body, then add a triangle tail.
Leaf shape
Nature’s perfect template comes to your rescue when you’re staring at a blank page wondering what to draw next!
Leaves are basically foolproof since there’s no “wrong” way to draw them.
Start with simple ovals, add a center line, then branch out with smaller veins.
Mix different sizes and you’re creating a whole forest!
Ice cream in cone
When you’re ready to move from outdoor sketches to something that’ll make your stomach rumble, ice cream cones are your perfect next doodle!
Start with a triangle for the cone, add some crosshatch lines to make it look waffle-y, then stack circular scoops on top.
Don’t forget the cherry. It’s like the crown jewel!
Ball with stripes
Since you’ve mastered that delicious ice cream cone, let’s bounce into something equally fun but way less messy: a striped ball!
Start with a perfect circle, then add horizontal stripes across it.
Make some stripes thicker than others because who says balls gotta be perfectly uniform?
Add a little shadow underneath and you’ve got yourself a playful sphere!
Cartoon eyes
Two simple circles can instantly bring any doodle to life, and cartoon eyes are probably the easiest way to add personality to literally anything you draw!
Experimenting with different sizes and expressions opens up endless possibilities.
Light bulb
Nothing screams “brilliant idea” quite like a classic light bulb doodle, and honestly, it’s way easier to draw than you’d think!
Start with a simple oval, add a rectangle base with tiny screw lines, then throw in some radiating lines around it.
Star
Stars might just be the ultimate confidence booster in the doodling world because let’s be real, who hasn’t drawn at least a hundred of these during boring classes?
Stars are forgiving. Wonky points actually make them look more charming!
Mushroom
Moving from celestial shapes to something a bit more grounded, mushrooms are basically nature’s little umbrellas and they’re surprisingly fun to sketch!
Drawing them is enjoyable because there’s no wrong way. They come in so many weird shapes!
Start with a simple dome on a stem, then get creative with spots or funky caps!
Little ghost
Whether you’re feeling spooky or just want something adorable to sketch, little ghosts are absolutely perfect for beginners!
Simple shapes work best: draw a rounded blob with a wavy bottom, add two black dots for eyes, and you’re done!
You can make them silly, surprised or even wearing tiny hats for extra cuteness.
Smiley heart
From adorable ghosts to something that’ll make your heart skip a beat, smiley hearts are probably one of the easiest and most cheerful doodles you can master in about five seconds flat!
Draw a heart shape, add two dots for eyes and a curved line for its smile.
Done!
Puffy cloud
Clouds floating lazily across the sky have this magical way of making us feel peaceful, and guess what?
They’re incredibly easy to doodle!
Drawing puffy clouds is simple because there’s literally no wrong way to do it.
Just draw bumpy, rounded shapes connected together, and voila… you’ve got yourself a perfect cloud that’ll make you smile every time!
Apple
Since apples are practically everywhere and we see them all the time, they make perfect doodle subjects that’ll have you sketching like a pro in seconds!
Starting with a simple circle works well, then adding that classic apple indent at the top.
Don’t forget the little stem and maybe a leaf for extra charm!
Smiling face
The classic smiley face remains every beginner’s best friend when you’re just starting your doodling journey, and it can instantly brighten your mood and anyone else’s who sees it.
Tips for Building Your Doodle Skills Daily
When you’re just starting out with doodling, consistency beats perfection every single time.
Set aside just five minutes daily for quick sketches using these basic doodle ideas.
Keep a pocket notebook handy and doodle during coffee breaks or while waiting.
Practice basic shapes first, then gradually add details. Enjoy doodling!
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