November Drawing Challenge – Calm Days and Quiet Focus

November is the pause before the holidays. The air turns colder, days grow shorter, and everything starts to feel more still. It’s the perfect time to slow down and look closely at the world around you, and maybe, you will find time to do your own November Drawing Challenge.

These 30 drawing prompts invite you to notice the quiet side of life. Whether you’re just starting or have years of practice, every prompt gives you a way to draw with purpose and peace.

Each day includes ideas for beginner, intermediate, and advanced artists. Let your pencil move gently, and let your art reflect the season.

Daily Prompts – November

Day 1 – A single leaf on the ground

November Drawing Challenge leaf
By photos_by_ginny

Beginner: Clear outline
Focus: Shape and curve
Intermediate: Add veins or texture
Focus: Natural detail
Advanced: Leaf in a small setting
Focus: Build a quiet mood with this leaf

Day 2 – Your hands in a warm position
Beginner: Simple outline with closed fingers
Focus: Gentle form
Intermediate: Add light, shadow, and skin folds
Focus: Volume and depth
Advanced: Scene holding a cup or object
Focus: Show emotion through gesture

Day 3 – A warm meal or dish
Beginner: Basic shapes on a plate
Focus: Clear form
Intermediate: Add steam, shadow, and surface
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Scene with table and background
Focus: Use food to build a story

Day 4 – A worn book or notebook
Beginner: Front or side view
Focus: Keep lines straight
Intermediate: Add folds, marks, or notes
Focus: Suggest age
Advanced: Use in a personal scene
Focus: Tell a quiet story

Day 5 – A tree with no leaves
Beginner: Simple branches and trunk
Focus: Line flow
Intermediate: Add texture and depth
Focus: Use empty space
Advanced: Scene with sky or building
Focus: Suggest the time of year through small details

Day 6 – A favorite fall item
Beginner: One simple object
Focus: Clean shape
Intermediate: Add a pattern or use marks
Focus: Personal touch
Advanced: Place it in a memory scene
Focus: Let feeling lead the drawing

Day 7 – A pair of gloves or mittens
Beginner: Rounded form
Focus: Shape and proportion
Intermediate: Add texture or folds
Focus: Softness
Advanced: Use in an active scene
Focus: Let hands express mood

Day 8 – A window view on a cloudy day
Beginner: Basic frame and background
Focus: Layers
Intermediate: Add soft light and shadows
Focus: Build depth
Advanced: Use clouds to set the tone
Focus: Create peace

Day 9 – An old photo (real or imagined)
Beginner: One object or person from it
Focus: Clean lines
Intermediate: Add fading, scratches, or edges
Focus: Suggest memory
Advanced: Full photo scene with detail
Focus: Show the story in stillness

Day 10 – A teapot or kettle

November Drawing Challenge teapot
By Tommy Cha Yee Wen

Beginner: Round shape with spout and handle
Focus: Symmetry
Intermediate: Add shine, steam, or texture
Focus: Surface and light
Advanced: Use in a kitchen scene
Focus: Let the space feel warm

Day 11 – A scarf draped over a chair
Beginner: Basic soft shape
Focus: Curve and flow
Intermediate: Add folds and texture
Focus: Use of fabric
Advanced: Scene with light and shadow
Focus: Suggest someone was just there

Day 12 – Something fading or breaking down
Beginner: Object with cracks or age
Focus: Lines and shape
Intermediate: Add texture and light changes
Focus: Time
Advanced: Scene showing decay
Focus: Build quiet tension

Day 13 – A corner of your home
Beginner: One or two simple items
Focus: Shape and spacing
Intermediate: Add light and shadow
Focus: Depth
Advanced: Scene with mood and stillness
Focus: Show comfort

Day 14 – A tool or object you use often
Beginner: Outline and basic shape
Focus: Function
Intermediate: Add wear and details
Focus: Suggest daily use
Advanced: Use it in a working scene
Focus: Show action through setup

Day 15 – A quiet morning scene
Beginner: One object, like a mug or lamp, or the first thing you see
Focus: Clarity
Intermediate: Add soft shadows and a setting
Focus: Creating Peace
Advanced: Full scene with light
Focus: Use atmosphere to guide emotion

Day 16 – A knit or woven object
Beginner: Simple outline
Focus: Repetition
Intermediate: Add texture or stitch lines
Focus: Suggest softness
Advanced: Use in a cozy scene
Focus: Connect texture to warmth

Day 17 – A jacket or coat that keeps you warm
Beginner: Clear shape and collar
Focus: Proportion
Intermediate: Add folds or an inside view
Focus: Volume
Advanced: Scene in motion
Focus: Use clothing to show character

Day 18 – A street or path in late fall
Beginner: Simple layout
Focus: Perspective
Intermediate: Add texture, leaves, or light
Focus: Show change
Advanced: Full scene with mood
Focus: Let space tell a story

Day 19 – A steaming drink and snack
Beginner: Simple side view
Focus: Proportion
Intermediate: Add heat and shadow
Focus: Suggest comfort
Advanced: Scene from your day
Focus: Tell a story with light

Day 20 – A place that makes you feel calm

November Drawing Challenge calm place
By mzahid akyol

Beginner: One item or object from it
Focus: Shape
Intermediate: Add background or light
Focus: Suggest space
Advanced: Full scene
Focus: Let calm come through the mood

Day 21 – An animal curled up to rest
Beginner: Round body shape
Focus: Simplicity
Intermediate: Add fur or shading
Focus: Volume
Advanced: Use in an indoor or outdoor scene
Focus: Build stillness

Day 22 – A memory from this season
Beginner: One object or shape
Focus: Keep it simple
Intermediate: Add light or motion
Focus: Show what made it special
Advanced: Full memory scene
Focus: Let details carry emotion

Day 23 – A collection of small objects
Beginner: Draw 2–3 grouped shapes
Focus: Spacing
Intermediate: Add texture and marks
Focus: Suggest use
Advanced: Scene with a container or shelf
Focus: Tell a story through arrangement

Day 24 – A hat and coat hanging up
Beginner: Simple outlines
Focus: Placement
Intermediate: Add folds and shadows
Focus: Suggest use
Advanced: Use in a hallway or entry scene
Focus: Set mood

Day 25 – A handwritten note
Beginner: One folded sheet
Focus: Shape
Intermediate: Add soft lines or writing
Focus: Personal feel
Advanced: Scene from the moment
Focus: Let words and setting speak

Day 26 – An empty cup or bowl
Beginner: Clean curve and top view
Focus: Form
Intermediate: Add a shadow or wear
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Scene showing what’s missing
Focus: Suggest a story through absence

Day 27 – A cozy setup by a window
Beginner: One item and a frame
Focus: Shape and light
Intermediate: Add soft shadows and view
Focus: Use space
Advanced: Full mood scene
Focus: Let light and lines create calm

Day 28 – A favorite pen or pencil
Beginner: Clear line shape
Focus: Keep it even
Intermediate: Add marks, branding, or use
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Use in a writing or sketching moment
Focus: Connect to your own story

Day 29 – Something you use to stay warm

November Drawing Challenge Fireplace
By Mvegas

Beginner: Blanket, hoodie, fireplace, or socks
Focus: Clear form
Intermediate: Add folds and pattern
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Scene showing comfort
Focus: Let warmth be the focus

Day 30 – A reflection on the month
Beginner: One object that stands out
Focus: Keep it strong and simple
Intermediate: Add light and emotion
Focus: Make it personal
Advanced: Full scene that captures a memory
Focus: Let the art be your reflection

You Finished The November Drawing Challenge – Draw Slow, Draw True

This month was quiet, and so was your sketchbook. With every small detail, you practiced patience, softness, and clarity. You turned stillness into strength and made space for your art.

You’re building something meaningful. Keep going.

Keep the Challenge Going

Start the December Drawing Challenge
Browse all Monthly Drawing Prompts
Join the 52-Week Drawing Challenge

Share Your Art from the November Drawing Challenge

Drawings from this month often say more with less.
Pick your favorite and post it on X, Pinterest, Instagram, or share it by email.
Use #DrawyagerChallenge to connect with others and celebrate calm creativity.

Picture Felix Rörden
Felix Rörden
Articles: 149

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