100+ Cool Things to Draw with Colored Pencils

Are you looking for some creative inspiration for your next colored pencil drawing project?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, sometimes it can be challenging to come up with fresh ideas for your artwork.

That's why I've put together a list of 100+ drawing ideas to help jumpstart your creativity! So grab your colored pencils and let's get drawing!

What Cool Things Can You Draw with Colored Pencils?

1. Draw a Landscape

Mountain landscape

Draw a landscape with majestic mountains in the background, trees in the foreground, and a river or lake flowing through the valley.

Desert landscape

Create a landscape with a vast, arid desert filled with sand dunes, cacti, and rock formations.

Beach scene

Draw a sandy beach with palm trees swaying in the breeze, waves crashing on the shore, and seagulls soaring overhead.

Forest landscape

Create a peaceful forest scene with towering trees, a trickling stream, and woodland creatures like deer or rabbits.

Winter Wonderland

Draw a snowy landscape with a frozen river or lake, snow-covered trees, and snowflakes falling from the sky.

Coastal view

Draw a landscape of a rocky coastline with waves crashing against the cliffs, seabirds perched on the rocks, and a lighthouse in the distance.

Rural landscape

Create a landscape of a peaceful countryside with green fields, grazing livestock, and a barn or farmhouse in the distance.

Sunset or sunrise

Draw a stunning landscape with a vibrant orange and pink sky, reflecting on a calm lake or beach.

City skyline

Create a landscape of a city skyline at night, with brightly lit buildings and streetlights casting a warm glow on the surrounding area.

Tropical island

Draw a tropical island with palm trees, sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and colorful fish swimming in the reef.

2. Draw an Animal

Lion

Draw a majestic lion with a powerful mane, sharp teeth, and fierce eyes.

Elephant

Create a gentle and peaceful elephant with large floppy ears and a long trunk.

Dolphin

Draw a playful dolphin jumping out of the water with a bright smile on its face.

Panda

Create a cute and cuddly panda with black and white fur and a playful expression.

Horse

Draw a beautiful horse galloping through a field with its mane and tail flowing in the wind.

Butterfly

Create a colorful butterfly with intricate patterns on its wings, fluttering from flower to flower.

Penguin

Draw an adorable penguin waddling on its tummy across a snowy landscape.

Tiger

Create a fierce tiger with bold stripes, sharp claws, and a piercing stare.

Octopus

Draw an intelligent and curious octopus with eight tentacles and large, expressive eyes.

Giraffe

Create a tall and elegant giraffe with a long neck and spots on its coat, reaching up to eat leaves from a tree.

3. Draw a Portrait

Self-portrait

Draw a portrait of yourself, capturing your unique features and personality.

Celebrity

Create a portrait of your favorite celebrity, musician, or actor, capturing their likeness and personality.

Family member

Draw a portrait of a loved one such as a parent, grandparent, or sibling.

Historical figure

Create a portrait of a historical figure that inspires you, such as Abraham Lincoln, Marie Curie, or Martin Luther King Jr.

Fictional character

Draw a portrait of a beloved fictional character, such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, or Batman.

Pet portrait

Create a portrait of your furry friend, capturing their unique features and personality.

Athlete

Draw a portrait of your favorite athlete, such as LeBron James, Serena Williams, or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Musician

Create a portrait of your favorite musicians, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, or Freddie Mercury.

Friend

Draw a portrait of a close friend or significant other, capturing their likeness and personality.

Elderly person

Create a portrait of an elderly person, capturing the lines and character in their face, and telling their story.

4. Draw a Still-Life

Fruit bowl

Draw a still life of a bowl of fruit, such as apples, oranges, and bananas, arranged in an interesting composition.

Flowers

Create a still life of a vase of flowers, such as roses, sunflowers, or daisies, arranged in an interesting way.

Tea set

Draw a still life of a tea set, including a teapot, teacups, saucers, and a plate of biscuits.

Musical instruments

Create a still life of musical instruments, such as a guitar, violin, or piano, arranged interestingly.

Books and glasses

Draw a still life of a pair of glasses, a stack of books, and a pen, arranged in an interesting composition.

Antique items

Create a still life of antique items such as an old camera, typewriter, or pocket watch, arranged in an interesting composition.

Vegetables

Draw a still life of vegetables, such as peppers, carrots, and broccoli, arranged in an interesting way.

Bottles and glasses

Create a still life of bottles and glasses, such as wine bottles, champagne glasses, and a corkscrew.

Toys

Draw a still life of children's toys, such as stuffed animals, blocks, or action figures, arranged in an interesting way.

Kitchen utensils

Create a still life of kitchen utensils, such as spatulas, ladles, and mixing bowls, arranged in an interesting composition.

5. Draw a Mandala

Sunflower Mandala

Create a mandala with sunflower petals and a circular center, using bright and bold colors to represent the sun.

Lotus Mandala

Draw a mandala with the intricate petals of a lotus flower, using a variety of colors to create a sense of depth and detail.

Animal Mandala

Create a mandala with animal motifs such as lions, elephants, or peacocks, using vibrant colors to represent their personalities.

Celtic Mandala

Draw a mandala with a Celtic knot design, using earthy colors like green, brown, and gold to represent the natural world.

Geometric Mandala

Create a mandala with geometric shapes like triangles, circles, and squares, using bright colors to create an optical illusion effect.

Ocean Mandala

Draw a mandala with motifs from the ocean such as waves, seashells, and fish, using cool colors to represent the water and sky.

Tree of Life Mandala

Create a mandala with a tree motif, using shades of green to represent the leaves, and browns and grays to represent the bark.

Native American Mandala

Draw a mandala with motifs from Native American culture, such as feathers, dreamcatchers, and animals, using earthy colors to represent the natural world.

Space Mandala

Create a mandala with space motifs such as stars, planets, and galaxies, using dark blues, purples, and black to represent the vastness of space.

Flower Mandala

Draw a mandala with intricate flower petals, using a variety of colors to create a sense of depth and beauty.

6. Draw a Cartoon/Anime Character

Mickey Mouse

Draw the iconic Disney character, Mickey Mouse, with his big ears, white gloves, and cheerful smile.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Create a portrait of the lovable, yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob SquarePants.

Pikachu

Draw the beloved Pokémon character, Pikachu, with his cute red cheeks and yellow fur.

Bugs Bunny

Create a drawing of the iconic Looney Tunes character, Bugs Bunny, with his long ears and carrot in hand.

Betty Boop

Draw the vintage cartoon character, Betty Boop, with her signature curls, red dress, and sultry expression.

Tom and Jerry

Create a drawing of the classic cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry, in their iconic poses.

Scooby-Doo

Draw the beloved Great Dane and his gang of mystery solvers, in a spooky setting with ghosts and ghouls.

The Simpsons

Create a portrait of the entire Simpson family, with their distinct yellow skin, and iconic clothing.

The Powerpuff Girls

Draw the trio of pint-sized superheroes, the Powerpuff Girls, with their colorful outfits and unique personalities.

Dora the Explorer

Create a portrait of the adventurous young girl, Dora the Explorer, with her trusty backpack and map in hand.

7. Draw a Cityscape

New York City skyline

Create a landscape of the New York City skyline, with the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and One World Trade Center.

Paris

Draw a cityscape of Paris with the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Seine River.

Tokyo

Create a drawing of the Tokyo cityscape, with its skyscrapers, neon lights, and bustling streets.

Venice

Draw the canals and bridges of Venice, with colorful buildings and gondolas gliding through the waterways.

San Francisco

Create a cityscape of San Francisco, with the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and cable cars climbing steep hills.

London

Draw a cityscape of London with Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.

Hong Kong

Create a cityscape of Hong Kong with its impressive skyline, Victoria Harbour, and Kowloon Walled City.

Dubai

Draw a cityscape of Dubai with its iconic skyscrapers, such as the Burj Khalifa, and the artificial Palm Islands.

Shanghai

Create a drawing of the Shanghai cityscape, with the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, and the bustling Bund district.

Barcelona

Draw a cityscape of Barcelona with the iconic Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and La Rambla Street.

8. Draw a Fantasy Creature

Dragon

Draw a majestic dragon with scales, wings, and a long tail, using bold colors to represent its fire-breathing abilities.

Unicorn

Create a mythical unicorn with a spiral horn and a flowing mane, using pastel colors to represent its magical aura.

Mermaid

Draw a beautiful mermaid with a fishtail and long flowing hair, using shades of blue and green to represent the ocean.

Phoenix

Create a fiery phoenix with wings of flames, using red, orange, and yellow to represent its rebirth from the ashes.

Centaur

Draw a half-human, half-horse creature with muscular legs and a bow and arrow, using earthy colors to represent the forest.

Minotaur

Create a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a human, using dark colors to represent its menacing nature.

Pegasus

Draw a winged horse with a flowing mane and wings, using white and pastel colors to represent its purity.

Gryphon

Create a mythical creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion, using earthy and metallic colors to represent its strength and power.

Fairy

Draw a beautiful fairy with gossamer wings and a delicate dress, using soft and pastel colors to represent its ethereal nature.

Chimera

Create a creature with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, using dark colors to represent its ferocity.

9. Draw a Sports Scene

Football game

Draw a scene of a football game with players on the field, fans in the stands, and a scoreboard in the background.

Basketball court

Create a drawing of a basketball court with players dribbling and shooting, and a scoreboard or shot clock visible in the background.

Soccer match

Draw a scene of a soccer match with players on the field, fans cheering in the stands, and the stadium in the background.

Swimming race

Create a drawing of a swimming race with swimmers diving into the pool, splashing water, and the finish line visible in the background.

Tennis match

Draw a scene of a tennis match with players on the court, the umpire chair, and the net visible in the background.

Gymnastics competition

Create a drawing of a gymnastics competition with athletes performing on various apparatus, judges scoring, and the audience watching in awe.

Ice hockey game

Draw a scene of an ice hockey game with players skating on the ice, a puck in play, and the scoreboard visible in the background.

Surfing competition

Create a drawing of a surfing competition with surfers riding waves, judges scoring, and the beach in the background.

Track and field event

Draw a scene of a track and field event with athletes running, jumping, and throwing, and the crowd cheering in the background.

Cycling race

Create a drawing of a cycling race with cyclists pedaling through winding roads, spectators watching on the sidelines, and the finish line visible in the background.

10. Draw an Autosport Scene

Formula One car

Create a drawing of a sleek and aerodynamic Formula One car with its signature open wheels and low profile.

NASCAR race

Draw a scene of a NASCAR race with the stock cars barreling down the track, drivers jockeying for position, and the crowd cheering from the stands.

Drag racing

Create a drawing of a drag racing scene with powerful cars revving their engines and speeding down the straightaway.

Rally racing

Draw a scene of a rally car race with cars speeding down dirt roads, kicking up dust, and taking hairpin turns.

Dirt bike racing

Create a drawing of a dirt bike race with riders jumping over obstacles and racing across rugged terrain.

Endurance racing

Draw a scene of an endurance race like the 24 Hours of Le Mans with teams of drivers taking turns behind the wheel of high-performance cars.

Monster truck rally

Create a drawing of a monster truck rally with giant trucks crushing cars and performing impressive stunts.

Touring car race

Draw a scene of a touring car race with cars maneuvering around tight turns and accelerating down straightaways.

Drifting

Create a drawing of a drifting competition with drivers sliding their cars sideways around corners, leaving clouds of smoke in their wake.

Karting

Draw a scene of a go-kart race with small and nimble karts speeding around a track, drivers battling for position, and the checkered flag.

11. Draw a Nature Scene

Mountain landscape

Draw a scenic mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, pine trees, and a meandering stream.

Beach scene

Create a drawing of a beach scene with waves crashing onto the shore, seagulls flying overhead, and people lounging on the sand.

Forest path

Draw a winding forest path with trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, leading into the distance.

Waterfall

Create a drawing of a cascading waterfall with rocks, mist, and a rainbow visible in the spray.

Desert landscape

Draw a desert landscape with cacti, sand dunes, and a setting sun in the background.

River scene

Create a drawing of a river scene with trees lining the banks, a canoe or raft in the water, and fish jumping.

Sunset/sunrise

Draw a scenic view of a sunset or sunrise with warm oranges, pinks, and yellows painting the sky.

Rainforest

Create a drawing of a lush rainforest with vines, ferns, and exotic birds perched on tree branches.

Meadow

Draw a peaceful meadow with wildflowers, butterflies, and a distant mountain range.

Underwater scene

Create a drawing of an underwater scene with coral reefs, tropical fish, and a shipwreck visible in the distance.

12. Draw a Video Game Scene

Super Mario World

Draw a scene from the classic Super Mario World game, with Mario jumping over obstacles, collecting coins, and fighting enemies.

The Legend of Zelda

Create a drawing of a scene from The Legend of Zelda, with Link wielding his sword and exploring a dungeon or battling a boss.

Minecraft

Draw a scene from the popular Minecraft game, with a player building a structure, mining for resources, or fighting off monsters.

Overwatch

Create a drawing of a scene from the team-based shooter Overwatch, with colorful heroes like Tracer, Soldier 76, and D.Va battling it out in a futuristic arena.

Pokemon

Draw a scene from the Pokemon universe, with trainers catching, battling, and training their Pokemon companions.

Tomb Raider

Create a drawing of Lara Croft exploring ancient ruins, battling enemies, and solving puzzles in the popular Tomb Raider franchise.

Final Fantasy

Draw a scene from the epic Final Fantasy series, with characters like Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith battling monsters, casting spells, and exploring vast, magical worlds.

World of Warcraft

Create a drawing of a scene from the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, with players battling dragons, exploring dungeons, and questing across the fantasy world of Azeroth.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Draw a scene from the fast-paced Sonic the Hedgehog game, with Sonic racing through levels, collecting rings, and battling Dr. Eggman.

Fortnite

Create a drawing of a scene from the wildly popular battle royale game Fortnite, with players dropping onto an island, building structures, and battling it out until only one player remains.

13. Draw Something in Space

The solar system

Draw a scene of our solar system, with the sun at the center and the planets in their orbits, including Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

Black hole

Create a drawing of a black hole, with its powerful gravitational pull and intense energy.

Space shuttle launch

Draw a scene of a space shuttle launch, with the rocket blasting off into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke and fire behind.

Saturn's rings

Create a drawing of Saturn's iconic rings, with their unique patterns and colors.

Alien planet

Draw a scene of an alien planet, with strange landscapes, creatures, and plant life.

Moon landing

Create a drawing of the historic moon landing, with astronauts walking on the surface of the moon, planting the American flag, and collecting moon rocks.

Space station

Draw a scene of a space station, with astronauts working and conducting experiments in zero gravity.

Supernova

Create a drawing of a supernova, with its explosive energy and bright colors.

Nebula

Draw a scene of a nebula, with its colorful gases and dust clouds, forming beautiful patterns and shapes.

Mars colony

Create a drawing of a Mars colony, with astronauts living and working on the red planet, exploring its terrain, and conducting experiments.

Luuk Minkman

Full-Time Artist Specialized in Automotive Art

I'm an artist and I draw realistic cars with alcohol markers and colored pencils. I have been doing so for a decade. I'm sharing everything I know about drawing on this blog. On here, you can find all you need to know to learn how you can draw realistic cars and other subjects yourself. Stay updated by following me on Instagram.