Sketchbook Drawing Prompts, 17 Illustrated Assignments, Sketchbook Prompt & Idea

These 17 Sketchbook Drawing Prompts are illustrated assignments that get students using their imagination and filling their sketchbooks with detailed, inventive designs. They were designed to build creativity and imagination, and they make a handy sub tub or sub plan for the art room.

Each prompt has its description on the page along with an example, in black and white or full color depending on the medium. The examples set the standard for student work, and students are encouraged to try a variety of mediums and experiment with their own designs as they build a sketchbook over the year.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★★ “This is a great resource for more advanced or adventurous students, especially when looking at promoting creativity and the visual art problem solving skills.” Mackenzie O.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (20 PAGES)

• Lesson Plan (2 pages)
• Collage Challenge (with 3 colored examples)
• Watercolor Monster (with colored example)
• Bar-Coded Object or Animal (with example)
• Master Doodler (with example)
• Depict Life Underwater (with example)
• Depict a Nightmare (with colored example)
• Simply Natural, combining your hand with nature (with colored example)
• Intuitive, drawing friends with their likes (with example)
• Signature Animal (with example)
• Pin-Holed Object or Animal (with example)
• Blind to See drawing (with example)
• I Can Fly, drawing yourself as a kite (with example)
• Imagination Challenge (with example)
• Metamorphosis (with example)
• Mechanical Pet (with example)
• Stencil Prompt (with 2 examples)

HOW TO USE IT

Print the pages and laminate them or put them in clear sleeves, or show them on a projector from your computer. Because the description is on each page, the prompts are easy to show and explain, which makes them useful to keep on hand for a substitute.

Over the year, students experiment with a range of materials and ideas and collect them in one sketchbook they can look back on. You can even make your own sketchbook alongside them.

FAQ

What materials do students need?

It depends on the prompt. Some are drawing-based, and others use media such as collage or watercolor.

Can I leave these with a sub?

Yes. Each page includes the prompt description and an example, so they are easy to present.

How can I display the prompts?

Print and laminate them, put them in clear sleeves, or project them digitally.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★★ “I haven't used this yet but I plan to try and use it with my high school students. I loved the student samples! It will be a good tool in my toolbox.” sasha r.

★★★★★ “Love the examples/models provided! Great tool for elevating student work!” The A.

★★★★★ “Looks like an amazing resource. I got it so I can start an Art Club. Thanks!” Smiles a.

★★★★★ “Neat art projects that come with some really nice examples.” Alysha D.

★★★★★ “Neat ideas that came with samples.” Korie A.

★★★★★ “I like the variety of prompts and styles of art.” A N.

★★★★★ “These are really neat and creative sketchbook ideas. Very helpful.” Zenful Z.

★★★★★ “Great lessons. Might be a bit advanced for early 6th graders, but we'll try it out and see how it goes. I think it will be enjoyed regardless.” Cortney T.

★★★★★ “I'm excited about using this resource in my classroom, and I really like the creativity it is bound to generate.” William A.

★★★★★ “Creative sketchbook prompts with very detailed examples.” Buyer

★★★★★ “we loved BLIND TO SEE activity!” Adrienne W.

★★★★★ “I love this and so did my students! There is so much variety!” Beth N.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this lesson in your classroom and photocopy it for your students, and use it in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. If it contains clip art, you may use it as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic