92 Summer Drawing Prompts for Creative Exploration

Summer is full of color, movement, and little moments that stick with you. Long days, bright skies, and time outside can spark all kinds of creative ideas—if you know where to start.

This list gives you 92 drawing prompts, one for every day of the season. You’ll find nature scenes, beach days, strange dreams, people watching, quiet details, and summer traditions—all packed with sketchbook potential. Use them for daily drawing, quick warm-ups, or just when you feel like making something and need a nudge.

Looking for ideas made just for kids? We’ve got a separate summer drawing prompt list for younger artists.

Want something totally random? Try the drawing prompt generator anytime.

92 summer drawing prompts

This drawing prompt list mixes objects, places, people, moments, and a few surprises. Some prompts are simple, others invite a full story. Pick one each day or skip around—there’s no wrong way to use them.

  1. Melted popsicle on warm pavement
  2. Hammock stretched between two trees
  3. Cloud shaped like an animal
  4. Sunset reflecting in a lake
  5. Sandcastle with tiny flags
  6. Friends jumping into the water
  7. Watermelon slices on a picnic blanket
  8. Beach umbrella turning in the wind
  9. Flip-flops abandoned in the grass
  10. Campfire glowing after dark
  11. Fireworks bursting over a small town
  12. Sunglasses left on a café table
  13. Dragonfly hovering above tall grass
  14. Road trip through sunflower fields
  15. Pool float drifting in the deep end
  16. Cold lemonade with condensation
  17. Ice cream cone starting to tip over
  18. Waves crashing into big rocks
  19. Cracked sidewalk under midday sun
  20. Beach towel flapping in the breeze
  21. Open book beside a garden chair
  22. Swimsuit drying on a clothesline
  23. Old bicycle leaning against a fence
  24. Trail disappearing into a green forest
  25. Jar of seashells on a windowsill
  26. Breeze pushing open a screen door
  27. Starlit sky above a quiet tent
  28. Sunglasses reflecting fireworks
  29. Picnic basket stuffed with summer snacks
  30. Bare feet walking through wet grass
  31. Paddle boat drifting through morning mist
  32. Flower crown forgotten on a bench
  33. Fireflies blinking above tall weeds
  34. Garden hose curled like a snake
  35. Tent glowing from inside at twilight
  36. Dog chasing a sprinkler in the yard
  37. Sidewalk chalk drawing coming to life
  38. Sunglasses hiding glowing eyes
  39. Street vendor selling cold fruit
  40. Canoe gliding down a narrow river
  41. Sparrow nesting in a mailbox
  42. Pair of shoes left by the lake
  43. Surfboard stuck upright in the sand
  44. Skating rink melted into a summer plaza
  45. Treehouse with a string of lights
  46. Summer thunderstorm rolling in
  47. Window fan blowing drawings across a room
  48. Fire escape garden overflowing with plants
  49. Butterfly wings catching sunlight
  50. Hidden path through overgrown grass
  51. Ice cubes shaped like stars
  52. Floating cooler in a swimming pool
  53. Journal filled with pressed flowers
  54. Rooftop picnic with a city view
  55. Houseplant moved outside for summer
  56. Cabin porch lit by a lantern
  57. Kite tangled in power lines
  58. Radio playing music on a dock
  59. Mystery item found in beach sand
  60. Clouds shaped like symbols or letters
  61. Summer market filled with fruits and flowers
  62. Cat stretched out on a sunny windowsill
  63. Cliffside trail overlooking the ocean
  64. Hammock swinging in a breeze
  65. Tortoise crossing a garden path
  66. Porch light glowing at dusk
  67. Ice cubes melting in a glass of lemonade
  68. Floating dock on a quiet lake
  69. Painted nails catching sunlight
  70. Fireflies circling a backyard swing
  71. Canoe trip down a narrow river
  72. Picnic blanket covered in snack wrappers
  73. Wind chimes moving slowly in the heat
  74. Dog shaking off water near a kiddie pool
  75. Beach at low tide with tidepools
  76. Street musician playing in the shade
  77. Ice cream truck turning the corner
  78. Backpack filled with summer finds
  79. Artist painting outdoors under a tree
  80. Hot air balloon rising behind hills
  81. Cold soda can left on a railing
  82. Couple watching a sunset from a rooftop
  83. Rainclouds building over a dry field
  84. Flip-flops stuck in muddy sand
  85. String of lanterns hanging between trees
  86. Grasshopper resting on a garden boot
  87. Tent set up in a windy meadow
  88. Cooling off with a bucket of water
  89. Raccoon peeking from under a deck
  90. Laundry drying in the open air
  91. Tiny roadside flower stand
  92. Dream about summer turning strange

Try drawing from memory, imagination, or real life. You can combine prompts, change the setting, or switch up the mood. Summer is full of possibilities—so is your sketchbook.

You don’t need a perfect setup or long stretch of free time to draw—just a little curiosity and something that catches your eye. These prompts are here to help you notice more, imagine more, and create more during the summer months.

You can follow the list day by day, jump around, or use it as a starting point when you're stuck. Try switching up your tools, your perspective, or even your mood. Summer is full of surprises—your sketchbook can be too.

Looking for a prompt on the spot? Visit our drawing prompt generator anytime.

Which summer moment are you about to draw?