How to draw anything: learn from real artists
There’s no one right way to draw a cat, a dragon or a face. Each guide shows how artists on Magma drew it, many ways, credited to them, and how you can learn it with others.
Every guide is built from drawings the Magma community actually posted: realistic studies, cute and cartoon takes, fantasy versions and quick sketches, grouped by the way they were drawn, with notes on what makes each one work.
Many of those drawings were made in Art Jams, shared canvases where lots of artists draw the same subject at once. Tap the little map on a drawing to zoom out and see where it was drawn and what everyone else made next to it.
Each guide also has a short step-by-step for the basic shapes. Then draw it yourself: Magma is free, runs in your browser with nothing to install and works on Chromebooks, or join a jam and learn from the people drawing next to you.
Pick something to draw
Cat drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a cat.Dog drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a dog.Dragon drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a dragon.Eye drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw eyes.
Horse drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a horse.Face drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a face.
Bunny drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a bunny.
Hand drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw hands.
Pumpkin drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a pumpkin.Flower drawings by real artistsThere's no one right way to draw a flower.Questions
How do I start learning to draw?
Start with simple subjects and simple shapes. Pick something you like, such as a cat or a flower, follow a step-by-step guide, then draw it again without looking. Short sessions most days beat one long session a week. Drawing from real life and from photos, not only from other drawings, teaches you how things are built.
Can anyone learn to draw?
Yes. Drawing is a skill, not a gift: it's mostly learning to see shapes, proportions and light, and your hand gets steadier with practice. Everyone's early drawings look wobbly. The artists in our galleries started there too.
How long does it take to learn to draw?
You'll see a difference after a few weeks of regular practice, especially if you draw the same subject several times. Getting comfortable with harder subjects like hands, faces and horses takes longer, often months. There's no finish line: even professional artists keep practicing.
What are the easiest things to draw for beginners?
Round, simple subjects: a cat face, a bunny, a pumpkin, a daisy or a cartoon dog. They're built from circles and ovals, and small wobbles don't ruin them. Hands, realistic faces and horses are harder because small proportion mistakes stand out. Need more ideas? Try our drawing prompts.
Does tracing help you learn to draw?
Tracing can help you feel the shapes and curves of a subject, and many artists use it for practice. Learn more by tracing once, then drawing the same thing freehand next to it and comparing. Don't post traced art as your own original work.
Can I draw online for free?
Yes. Magma is a free drawing app that runs in your web browser on Windows, Mac, Chromebook and tablets, with layers, brushes and a color picker. You can draw alone or invite friends to draw on the same canvas at the same time.
Where do the example drawings come from?
From public posts and public Art Jams on Magma. Every drawing is credited to its artist and links to their post.
Open a free canvas in your browser. Nothing to install, and it works on Chromebooks too.
Draw it now
