Nature Drawing Prompts: a Guide to Creative Sketching in the Outdoors

Nature drawing invites us to slow down, look closely, and let the world outside become a source of inspiration. Landscapes, wildlife, change of seasons–every sketch you create in nature builds a unique story on the page. Here, you’ll find a range of nature-inspired drawing prompts—some simple, some more imaginative—to spark your creativity and fill your journal with meaningful moments.

And if you’re interested in nature journaling, we’ll also share a few tips to help you make the most of sketching in the wild.

1. Landscape drawing prompts
2. Animal drawing prompts
3. Bird drawing prompts
4. Fungi and plant drawing prompts
5. Seasonal drawing prompts

1. Landscape drawing prompts

Landscapes are full of stories waiting to be told. Try these prompts to capture the essence of different outdoor scenes, from the peaceful to the dramatic.

Start small: simple landscapes

• Horizon line studies: begin by sketching just the horizon line, experimenting with gentle hills, steep mountains, or flat plains. This can give a sense of depth and is a great foundation for more detailed landscapes.
• Sunrise & sunset: capture the sky in two stages—one with the sun low in the sky and one as it sets. Pay attention to how the colors blend and change, bringing in a softness that’s unique to each time of day.

Go deeper: add detail and mood

• Forests and trees: sketch a scene of dense forest or a lone tree against an open sky. Experiment with tree shapes, bark textures, or even a forest canopy from below. Focus on details like twisting branches or rough bark for extra depth.
• Reflections on water: find a lake, pond, or even a puddle and sketch how the landscape reflects on the surface. Water reflections can add an extra layer of magic and complexity to a simple scene.

Let imagination run wild

• Seasons in one scene: divide your page into four sections and illustrate how one landscape changes with each season. What shifts do you notice in the colors, plants, and even the “mood” of the place?
• Dreamlike landscapes: add a touch of whimsy—like floating mountains, glowing rivers, or trees that seem to dance. Allow yourself to play with colors and shapes to capture a more imaginative side of nature.

For more ideas, try our landscape and scene prompt generator.

2. Animal drawing prompts

Animals, whether in the wild or in your own backyard, can make for fascinating sketch subjects. Their movements and behaviors tell incredible stories, and sketching them can be a rewarding way to capture their energy and personality.

Start small: simple animal shapes

• Silhouettes: start by capturing just the outlines of animals you observe, focusing on their unique shapes and poses. This works well with birds in flight or animals at a distance.
• Movement sketches: observe an animal for a few minutes, and try to quickly capture different movements or poses. Don’t worry about details—focus on the overall gesture and feel.

Add details: fur, feathers, and expressions

• Textures: focus on one area—like the patterns of fur on a fox or the feather details on a bird. Notice how texture adds to the feel of the animal, and practice capturing these details in short studies.
• Expressions: try to capture the eyes and face of an animal. Notice if they look curious, watchful, or relaxed, and see if you can convey their personality in your sketch.

Let imagination run wild

• Hybrid creatures: create a sketch that combines features from different animals you’ve observed. Imagine a bird with fox ears or a fish with butterfly wings—let your imagination take flight.
• Animal stories: draw two or three animals in a setting, interacting in ways that tell a story. They could be playing, resting, or even sneaking glances at each other. This can add a narrative quality to your sketch.

For a fresh set of ideas, try our animal prompt generator.

3. Bird drawing prompts

Birds can be both challenging and inspiring to draw, with their graceful shapes and lively movements. Here are some prompts to help you capture the beauty of birds in various ways.

Start small: bird basics

• Basic shapes and poses: start by sketching birds in simple shapes—circles for heads, ovals for bodies, and lines for legs and beaks. This helps you capture their posture and stance quickly.
• Wing studies: focus on just the wings. Notice the patterns of feathers and how wings change when folded or open.

Add details: plumage and personality

• Feather patterns: study the feathers of a bird up close, capturing the direction and layers. Try to depict the lightness or density of the plumage in your drawing.
• Beaks and talons: zoom in on the beak or talons, noting their sharpness, curve, or unique details. Each bird’s beak and claws tell a story about how they hunt, eat, and move.

Let imagination run wild

• Bird migration map: illustrate a “migration” of imagined birds across a map, drawing out their path with little bird icons, wing flaps, or tiny nests along the way.
• Fantasy birds: sketch a bird from your imagination—play with feather patterns, fantastical colors, or even additional wings or tails. Imagine a bird that would fit into a dream world.

4. Fungi and plant drawing prompts

Fungi and plants can add incredible variety and detail to your nature sketches. The diversity of shapes, colors, and textures in this category can make it endlessly fun to explore.

Start small: basic elements and shapes

• Mushroom studies: find mushrooms or fungi and capture their shapes and textures. Try to show how they interact with their surroundings, nestled in moss or growing on tree bark.
• Leaf patterns: choose a few leaves with different patterns and textures, and sketch them in detail. Notice the veins, edges, and variations in shape.

Go deeper: close-ups and textures

• Plant and fungi textures: focus on the details of bark, roots, or moss on trees. Try to capture the intricate textures to bring more dimension to your sketch.
• Fungi in habitat: observe how fungi appear in their natural settings, like under trees or in shaded forest areas. Capture not just the fungi, but a bit of the surroundings to give your sketch context.

Let imagination run wild

• Fantasy plants: create your own imaginary plants, inspired by real textures and forms. Imagine what kinds of plants might grow in a magical forest or on an alien planet.
• Mystical fungi: imagine fungi with glowing spots or tall, unusual shapes. Add a whimsical twist to create an enchanted forest scene.

5. Seasonal drawing prompts

Capturing the changes in nature across seasons is a rich practice in observing and appreciating the natural world. Each season has its own unique colors, textures, and moods to explore.

Start small: seasonal colors and elements

• Seasonal colors: use a color palette that reflects each season. For spring, greens and pastels; for autumn, warm reds and golds. Try capturing these colors in leaves, skies, or flowers.
• Falling leaves and blossoms: in autumn, draw leaves in various stages of falling. In spring, capture the fresh blooms of flowers just opening up.

Go deeper: detailed seasonal observations

• Close-ups of seasonal plants: for each season, choose a characteristic plant—like holly in winter or wildflowers in spring—and sketch close-up views, noticing textures and patterns.
• Seasonal light and shadow: notice how the light changes across seasons and try to reflect it in your sketch. For instance, winter light tends to be cooler and low, while summer has brighter, warmer light.

Let imagination run wild

• A year in one page: draw a tree or plant in the center of a page, capturing each season on different branches. Winter could have bare branches, spring buds, summer leaves, and autumn colors.
• Seasonal spirits: imagine the seasons as characters. What would spring look like if it were a figure? How would you draw winter as a spirit? This can be a fun way to personify nature and its changes.

A wonderful way to follow along the change of seasons is by taking note of holidays. Use holiday drawing prompts or seasonal art challenges, such as December Doodles, to play around with the unique spirit of seasonal art. 

Tips for nature journaling and drawing outdoors

Nature journaling and drawing outdoors can be as meditative as it is creative. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time sketching in the wild:

• Carry a compact kit: bring only what you need—a sketchbook, a few pencils, an eraser, and maybe some colored pencils or watercolors if you enjoy adding color. A compact setup helps you move easily and sketch freely. Many find that carrying a small journal along with a pencil allows them to jot down quick notes and sketches with ease. You’ll be surprised how much more you’ll remember of a walk if you take a moment to sketch or note something along the way.
• Start small: instead of focusing on the “perfect” sketch, try quick studies to capture what catches your eye. Small sketches and studies allow you to get comfortable observing and drawing without pressure.
• Stay present: let yourself tune in to the sights, sounds, and textures around you. Journaling can be about more than just drawing; jot down notes on what you hear, the way the air feels, or the colors that stand out. It can make your sketches feel alive and full of memory.
• Experiment with different perspectives: try drawing from different angles—look down from a hill, sit on the ground to sketch a flower up close, or capture the sky from under a tree. Shifting perspective can refresh your view and lead to new discoveries in your art.
• Embrace imperfection: nature is full of beautiful imperfections, and so are sketches. Let go of “perfect” proportions or details and let your lines reflect the moment. The goal isn’t to create a flawless piece; it’s to enjoy the process and the time spent outdoors.
• Use photos: remember, whenever you don’t have the time for a trip to the lake or the weather doesn’t allow for it, you can always pull up beautiful sceneries on the Internet or from your own photo collection!

Nature drawing and journaling bring us closer to the world around us, one sketch at a time. Whether you’re drawing a sweeping mountain scene or a single bird in flight, each page in your journal becomes a small celebration of nature’s beauty.

So grab your sketchbook, step outside, and let the world inspire you.