What to Draw in a Travel Sketchbook (Simple Ideas for Beginners
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Starting a travel sketchbook sounds romantic… until you open that first blank page.
Suddenly, your mind
goes blank.What should I draw? What if I ruin it? What if it’s not good enough?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and the truth is, you don’t need to draw anything complicated to create a beautiful, meaningful travel sketchbook.
In fact, the simplest sketches often become the most special.
Let’s make this easy.
✏️ Start Small, Not Perfect
Before we get into ideas, here’s the mindset shift that changes everything:
Your travel sketchbook is not a portfolio. It’s a visual diary.
You’re not trying to impress anyone — you’re capturing moments, feelings, and memories.
So instead of asking “What should I draw?” Ask: “What did I notice today?”
That’s where your best sketches live.
🌿 1. Everyday Objects Around You
You don’t need landmarks to start sketching.
Draw what’s right in front of you:
Your coffee cup
A pastry or meal
Sunglasses on the table
Your shoes after a long walk
These small objects tell the real story of your day.
👉 Tip: Keep it loose. A quick ink sketch with a touch of colour is more than enough.
🏡 2. Simple Buildings (No Perspective Stress)
Buildings can feel intimidating — but they don’t have to be.
Instead of worrying about perfect perspective:
Focus on the overall shape
Simplify windows and doors
Let lines be a bit wonky (it adds charm)
You’re not drawing architecture plans — you’re capturing character.
🌳 3. Nature Details
Nature is one of the easiest and most relaxing things to draw.
Try sketching:
Trees and branches
Leaves or small plants
Flowers from a park or garden
The view from where you’re sitting
👉 These are perfect for quick, calming sketching sessions.
🚶♀️ 4. People (Keep It Quick)
Drawing people doesn’t mean full portraits.
Instead:
Sketch quick silhouettes
Capture someone walking or sitting
Focus on posture, not details
A few lines can say so much.
🍽️ 5. Food & Café Moments
This is a classic for a reason — and it’s perfect for beginners.
Draw:
Your breakfast
A local dish
A coffee scene
Add a few handwritten notes:
Where you are
How it tasted
The mood of the place
Now your sketch becomes a memory.
🗺️ 6. Maps & Little Stories
Your sketchbook doesn’t have to be just drawings.
Try adding:
A simple map of your walk
Arrows showing where you went
Notes about what you discovered
This turns your sketchbook into a story, not just a collection of sketches.
🎒 7. Travel Details You Might Forget
These are the things that become precious later:
Tickets
Street signs
Hotel rooms
Windows and doors
Little corners of a place
They might seem ordinary now — but they won’t feel ordinary later.
💛 Keep It Simple (This Is the Secret)
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this:
👉 You don’t need big, impressive drawings. You need honest, simple ones.
Your sketchbook grows with you.
The more you draw, the more confident you’ll feel — not because your sketches are perfect, but because you’ve let go of that expectation.
the more you’ll actually want to keep going.
🎥 Watch the Video
In this week’s YouTube video, I walk you through similar ideas and show real examples so you can see how simple this can be in practice.
🌿 Want to Go Deeper?
If you’d like more guidance, structure, and gentle encouragement, I’m building something special for you.
My Travel Sketchbook Course will help you:
Build confidence step by step
Sketch without fear or overthinking
Create a sketchbook full of meaningful moments
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