Summer Drawing Ideas

Find simple summer drawing ideas and follow easy tutorials to draw a campfire, a beach chair, a lemonade glass, and other summer subjects.

Summer Drawing Ideas: Introduction

Over many years of working as a drawing teacher and publishing drawing lessons on this site, I have gathered a truly vast collection of summer drawing ideas. I have published many different summer-themed drawing lessons here, and I decided to bring them together into one collection to guide you through all these tutorials, tell you about each one, and show you how you can use these summer drawing lessons in your art projects. These lessons can also help you develop your artistic skills, so you won’t have to search for summer-themed drawing tutorials on your own.

This collection includes summer landscapes, scenes related to this beautiful time of year, and many other ideas that are enjoyable to draw both during the summer season and on cold winter days and nights when you want to remember the warmth of summer.

All the lessons in this collection of summer drawing ideas are created in a truly simple style. Each tutorial is broken down into no more than nine steps, making these lessons incredibly easy even for complete beginners while still allowing you to create beautiful and convincing drawings. You can see this for yourself by trying any of the summer drawing lessons listed below.

Collection of Summer Drawing Ideas

Lemonade

We will start this collection of summer drawing ideas with a simple and fun tutorial on how to draw lemonade. In this drawing, you can see a tall glass of lemonade with a straw, ice cubes, and a slice of lemon on the rim. It’s a refreshing and cheerful image that fits perfectly with the summer theme.

To draw it, you first sketch the outline of the glass, then add the straw, lemon slice, and ice cubes inside. Finish by coloring the lemonade light yellow and the straw blue to complete the drawing.

Sunglasses

Let’s continue this collection of summer drawing ideas with another classic symbol of the season – sunglasses. In this drawing, you can see a simple pair of sunglasses with dark lenses and a light frame. Of course, when you create your own version, you can easily adjust the shape of the glasses and change the color of the frame and lenses to match your style or favorite summer outfit.

To draw these sunglasses, start by sketching the outline of the top part of the frame. Then add the lenses, the outer edges, and the arms of the glasses. Finish by coloring the frame in a bright or light color and shading the lenses a darker tone.

Beach

Next, let’s add an essential part of any summer day – a relaxing scene at the beach. In this drawing, you can see a simple beach landscape with the ocean in the background, a large umbrella, a small sand bucket, and a beach ball. You can easily adjust the colors of the umbrella, bucket, and ball, or even add extra details like seashells or palm trees to make the scene more personal.

To draw this beach scene, start by sketching the basic lines for the ocean and shoreline. Then, add the umbrella and its stand, followed by the bucket and the ball resting on the sand. Finish the drawing by coloring the ocean in shades of blue and the beach items in bright, summery colors.

Watermelon

Of course, no summer drawing collection would be complete without one of the most iconic summer treats – a watermelon. In this drawing, you can see a whole watermelon with its classic round shape and wavy stripes. You can easily change the size, shape, or even add extra details like a small slice cut out if you want to make your drawing more unique.

To draw the watermelon, start by making a simple circle for the basic shape. Then add the small stem at the top and draw the curved stripes going from top to bottom. After finishing the outline, color the watermelon in different shades of green to make it look fresh and realistic.

Flip-Flops

And of course, nothing says summer quite like a comfortable pair of flip-flops. In this drawing, you can see a simple and colorful pair of flip-flops, perfect for a day at the beach or a casual stroll. You can easily adjust the design by changing the colors or adding patterns to the straps or soles to make them match your personal style.

To draw the flip-flops, start by outlining the basic shape of each sandal. Then, add the straps that form a Y-shape on top. Once the outlines are finished, you can color the soles in bright shades and the straps in a contrasting color to complete the summery look.

Shorts

Another perfect addition to our summer drawing collection is a pair of comfortable shorts. In this drawing, you see a simple pair of drawstring shorts, ideal for beach days, sports, or just relaxing outdoors. You can change the color, add simple patterns, or modify small details like the length to make your version even more personalized for your summer scenes.

To draw these shorts, start by sketching the waistband and outlining the general shape. Then, add the inner lines to separate the legs, draw the folds at the top, and finish with the drawstrings. After completing the sketch, fill in the shorts with bright or light colors to give them a fresh, summery feel.

Fruit Bowl

To make this summer collection even more colorful, let’s move on to drawing a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit. In this illustration, you see a classic fruit arrangement with bananas, apples, pears, and berries neatly gathered in a simple bowl. You can bring your own ideas into this drawing by switching the types of fruit, changing their arrangement, or choosing your favorite bright colors to give the scene an even more summery look.

To create the fruit bowl, first sketch the basic shape of the bowl and its stand. Then, start adding the fruits one by one, beginning with the larger ones and filling in the gaps with smaller pieces like grapes or berries. Once the drawing is finished, use soft shades for the bananas, pears, and apples to give the whole composition a vibrant and fresh appearance.

Popsicle

Let’s continue this set of summer drawing ideas with something sweet and refreshing – a colorful popsicle. In this illustration, you see a simple popsicle with a dripping topping and a wooden stick. You can make your version even more fun by changing the colors, adding sprinkles, or even drawing two or three popsicles stacked together.

To draw the popsicle, outline the basic rectangular shape with rounded edges. Next, add the melting topping line across the top, followed by the stick underneath. Once the drawing is complete, use bright, cheerful colors like pink, orange, or green to give your popsicle that perfect summertime look.

Fan

Another great summer symbol to add to this collection is a fan – something we often rely on to stay cool during the hottest days. In this drawing, you see a small tabletop fan with a simple design featuring a round frame and visible blades. You can customize the look by choosing different colors for the frame and buttons or by adding little details like a logo or extra vents.

Begin by sketching two circles, one inside the other, to create the outer frame. Next, draw the central hub and the fan blades. After that, add the stand and base with a few simple lines. Once your outline is ready, use cool colors like blue, gray, or white to give your fan a refreshing, breezy appearance.

Hawaiian Flower

Let’s add something bright and tropical to our summer drawing activities with this Hawaiian flower. In this illustration, you see a simple tropical arrangement with wide leaves and a bold hibiscus flower, which is often associated with beach parties, summer festivals, and relaxing vacations. It’s a great drawing idea to include in your summer art projects or just as a fun way to practice drawing during warm days.

To draw the Hawaiian flower, begin by outlining the large split leaves. After that, sketch the main flower with its rounded petals and add small details inside. Once the basic shapes are complete, draw a few additional leaves around the flower. Use vivid shades of green, yellow, or pink to make your drawing feel lively and full of tropical summer energy.

Beach Chair

Another great summer-themed drawing idea is a beach chair – something we often see during vacations, trips to the seaside, or backyard relaxation. In this illustration, you can see a simple and classic beach chair with a wooden frame and a bright fabric seat. You can personalize your drawing by changing the color of the fabric, adding stripes, or even decorating it with a simple summer pattern.

To draw the beach chair, start by outlining the main frame with a few angled lines. Then, sketch the seat stretched across the frame and add small details like the supporting bars. Once the basic drawing is ready, color the frame in a wooden shade like brown and choose a bright, cheerful color for the seat to make it feel even more summery.

Pool

Let’s continue with another fun summer-themed drawing – a swimming pool. Nothing says summer relaxation and outdoor fun quite like a pool filled with cool, refreshing water. Whether you’re thinking about backyard pool parties, days at the community center, or simple summer memories, this drawing is a perfect fit for your seasonal art activities.

Instead of focusing on complicated shapes, this tutorial uses simple straight lines and angles to create the pool’s structure. First, draw a slightly tilted rectangle to set the basic shape, then add extra lines along the edges to create the illusion of depth. Once the outline is ready, sketch a small ladder on the side and suggest a few ripples in the water. Finish everything off by coloring the pool in bright blue shades to capture the feel of a sunny, sparkling day.

Sandcastle

No summer art collection would feel complete without a classic sandcastle! Building sandcastles is one of the most popular activities at the beach, and now you can capture that feeling on paper. This drawing shows a simple sandcastle sitting on a small mound of sand with a flag flying proudly at the top – perfect for adding to your summer-themed artwork.

This drawing is built step-by-step by adding simple shapes. Begin with the uneven outline of the sand at the bottom to create a natural base. Sketch the walls of the sandcastle rising up from the middle, then add small square cutouts along the top to mimic the look of real castle battlements. Finally, place a little flag at the peak for a fun detail. Soft beige or golden tones will make your castle look like it’s made from real beach sand under the summer sun.

Surfboard

Drawing a surfboard is another good idea for summer-themed activities. In this tutorial, you can see a simple surfboard with a basic shape and a few small fins underneath. You can change the colors or add simple patterns if you want to make your drawing a little more detailed.

The drawing begins with sketching the main outline of the surfboard, using long, smooth curved lines. After that, a straight line is added across the surface to show the structure. Then, small fins are drawn along the bottom part. The surfboard is colored in bright shades to match the summer theme.

Beachball

A beach ball is a classic symbol of summer and a good subject for a simple drawing activity. This example shows a round ball divided into several sections, each colored differently to create a bright and cheerful look. You can adjust the number of sections or use any colors you prefer.

Sketch a large circle for the shape of the ball. Add a small oval near the top, which marks the place where the panels meet. Next, draw curved and straight lines to separate the ball into different areas. Once the outline is complete, fill the sections with light, contrasting colors.

Canoe

Sketching a canoe is another really good option for a summer-themed drawing activity. In this example, you can see a simple canoe with visible inner parts and a paddle lying across it. You can slightly change the angle of the paddle or the shape of the canoe if you want to make small adjustments.

Begin by drawing the main outline of the canoe with smooth, curved lines. After that, add the inner side and draw several short lines across the inside to show the seats. The paddle is added next, with straight lines forming the shaft and simple shapes for the blades. The drawing is finished by coloring the canoe in brown tones and the paddle in a lighter shade.

Fishing Pole

After drawing a canoe, it makes sense to add another object often associated with outdoor summer activities – a fishing pole. In this tutorial, you can see a simple fishing rod with a reel and a fishing line with a hook. You can slightly change the length of the rod or adjust the reel if you want to modify the drawing.

Outline the long, narrow shape of the fishing rod. After that, draw the handle and the small reel attached to it. Add several small guide loops along the rod for the fishing line. The final steps include drawing the line itself and adding a simple hook at the end. For coloring, light brown, blue, and metallic shades can be used to create a typical fishing rod appearance.

Kite

Another good summer-themed drawing idea is a kite. Flying kites is often part of outdoor activities during warm weather, especially near the beach or in wide open fields. In this example, you can see a simple kite design with a string and a series of small bows.

The drawing starts with two crossing lines that help build the basic frame of the kite. After that, the outer shape is added by connecting the points with straight lines. Small tails are drawn on the sides, and a long curved string with tiny bows is added below. The finished drawing can be colored in several bright shades to make it look more lively.

Palm Leaf

Another good option for spending your time at summer is drawing a palm leaf. Palm trees are often associated with tropical beaches and warm vacation spots, so drawing a palm leaf fits well into summer activities. In this example, you can see a simple leaf with a curved shape and a few small bends along the edges.

The drawing starts with a long, slightly curved line forming the main outline of the leaf. Then several small cuts and divisions are added along the sides to show the natural folds. A central vein is drawn down the middle, with smaller lines connecting to it. The finished drawing is colored in different shades of green to make the leaf look more natural.

Sunflower

A sunflower is another good subject for a summer drawing activity. It is a simple but bright plant that fits well with the other topics in this collection. You can keep the design basic or add extra details if needed. For example, you can add more sunflowers at the background.

First, sketch a small circle for the center of the flower. Around it, add a larger circle to form the outer edge. Divide the space between the circles into sections to mark the placement of the petals. Draw the petals, following the guidelines, and then add an extra layer of petals behind the first. Draw a simple stem under the flower and two large leaves on each side. After completing the outline, color the center brown, the petals yellow, and the leaves green.

Pineapple

Drawing a pineapple is a good way to combine summer-themed activities with simple art practice. Spending time creating bright and easy drawings like this one is a nice option for summer days. In this tutorial, you will draw a basic pineapple shape with large leaves and a patterned surface.

Sketch a large oval for the body of the pineapple. Add several pointed leaves at the top, layering them to make the plant look fuller. Draw diagonal lines across the body and add short marks inside each section. Color the body in shades of brown and the leaves in green to complete the drawing.

Yacht

Drawing a yacht is very good idea for a summer-themed art activity and a good point if you want to start sketching water vehicles. Creating simple summer drawings like this one is a good way to spend time on warm days, combining creativity with a seasonal mood. In this tutorial, you will draw a basic yacht with simple lines and shapes.

Begin by drawing two long, slightly curved lines to form the body of the yacht. Connect the lines at the ends and shape the front part. Add the lower curve to form the hull. Draw three round windows along the side. After that, sketch the top part of the yacht with straight lines and divide it into sections. Finish by coloring the yacht with light shades.

Butterfly

Drawing a butterfly is a good way to continue summer-themed art activities. Creating simple drawings like this one can be a relaxing way to spend time during warm summer days. In this tutorial, you will draw a basic butterfly with smooth shapes and minimal details.

Create a small oval for the head and add two curved antennae. Sketch a long, slightly curved body underneath. Draw the large upper wing first, using a smooth flowing line. Add the smaller lower wing under it. Repeat the same shapes on the other side to complete the wings. After the outline is finished, color the butterfly in light and bright shades.

Campfire

As a warm summer day often ends with a cozy campfire, this collection of summer-themed drawing ideas finishes with a simple campfire drawing. In this tutorial, you will learn how to draw a basic campfire made of logs, stones, and a flame.

First, sketch two curved lines for the first log. Add the second log crossing over the first. Draw the flame above the logs, using smooth wavy lines. Add a few smaller flames for extra detail. Then draw several round stones around the fire. Finish the drawing by coloring the flame in shades of orange and yellow, and the logs and stones in natural tones.

Conclusion

So, this was my collection of summer drawing ideas, which I put together for you by combining all the tutorials on this topic that I have published on this site. These tutorials were created based on many years of drawing practice as well as experience in teaching art.

You can draw each object separately first, then combine several elements into one composition to create a complete summer scene. You can also experiment with different colors, add backgrounds, or change small details to improve your understanding of shapes and layouts. If you want to keep building your drawing skills, try redrawing some of the tutorials in different styles or from different perspectives.

Be sure to share this collection with your friends, acquaintances, and your drawing teacher, as assignments like these can be very useful in any educational setting, whether it is a school, kindergarten, or art college, especially during the summer season or for any events and activities related to summer and warm places.