December feels special. It’s the end of a long year, full of reflection and quiet joy. The air is cold, the lights are warm, and even small moments feel magical. This is the time to draw slowly and let your sketches show peace, wonder, and comfort.
Here are 31 daily prompts to help you close the year with creativity. Each idea has three levels – beginner, intermediate, and advanced – so you can choose what fits you best. From simple shapes to full winter scenes, this December Drawing Challenge gives you space to draw with feeling.
Daily Prompts – December
Day 1 – A pair of mittens
Beginner: Basic side-by-side shape
Focus: Curve and proportion
Intermediate: Add stitch lines or texture
Focus: Suggest softness
Advanced: Scene with hands wearing them
Focus: Show warmth and action
Day 2 – A cup of hot chocolate or tea
Beginner: Simple mug with steam
Focus: Shape and balance
Intermediate: Add marshmallows, pattern, or spoon
Focus: Personal touch
Advanced: Use it in a cozy room
Focus: Let light set the mood
Day 3 – A pine branch or wreath
Beginner: Basic curve or outline
Focus: Repetition
Intermediate: Add needles, ribbon, or shape
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Scene with decoration in space
Focus: Create calm through detail
Day 4 – A snowy street or rooftop
Beginner: Simple layout with soft shapes
Focus: Use white space
Intermediate: Add soft edges and light
Focus: Suggest cold and calm
Advanced: Scene with buildings or movement
Focus: Let snow guide the mood
Day 5 – A winter coat on a hanger or hook
Beginner: Front or side view
Focus: Proportion
Intermediate: Add folds and fabric texture
Focus: Weight and shape
Advanced: Use it in a hallway or entry scene
Focus: Tell a quiet story
Maybe you want to add some more clothes? Then you’ll maybe find this article helpful: Clothes Drawing Reference: How You Get Better At Fabric Drawing 2025
Day 6 – A single candle in a dark space
Beginner: Simple upright shape with glow
Focus: Contrast
Intermediate: Add flame, glass, or shadow
Focus: Use of light
Advanced: Full scene lit by the candle
Focus: Create focus and peace
Day 7 – A wrapped gift
Beginner: Box shape with ribbon
Focus: Symmetry
Intermediate: Add folds, tags, or shine
Focus: Show care
Advanced: Scene with hands or background
Focus: Suggest giving
Day 8 – A favorite holiday treat
Beginner: One cookie or slice
Focus: Shape and detail
Intermediate: Add texture or pattern
Focus: Suggest flavor
Advanced: Use in a table scene
Focus: Build warmth
Day 9 – A string of lights
Beginner: Basic loop and bulbs
Focus: Repetition
Intermediate: Add glow or tangle
Focus: Light movement
Advanced: Use in a decorated space
Focus: Let the lights set the mood
Day 10 – A scarf blowing in the wind
Beginner: Long, curved shape
Focus: Flow
Intermediate: Add folds and fabric texture
Focus: Movement
Advanced: Scene with figure
Focus: Let the wind tell the story
Day 11 – A snowy tree
Beginner: Basic triangle shape
Focus: Structure
Intermediate: Add snow layers or branches
Focus: Softness
Advanced: Scene in nature or town
Focus: Let the snow show mood, also add light
Day 12 – A holiday decoration from your home
Beginner: Pick a small item
Focus: Clean outline
Intermediate: Add texture or shine
Focus: Personal touch
Advanced: Use it in its real setting
Focus: Draw memory and meaning
Day 13 – A quiet night scene
Beginner: One object, like a lamp or moon
Focus: Contrast
Intermediate: Add shadow and background
Focus: Stillness
Advanced: Full outdoor or indoor setting
Focus: Use light to suggest peace
Day 14 – A pet or animal in winter
Beginner: Simple shape curled up
Focus: Form
Intermediate: Add fur or winter setting
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Scene with story
Focus: Let the animal tell emotions
You don’t know which animal? Then right this way to my Pencil Drawings of Animals: 150 Stunning Sketch Ideas for Every Artist
Day 15 – A mug held in two hands
Beginner: Mug and finger shapes
Focus: Roundness
Intermediate: Add steam and hand detail
Focus: Warmth
Advanced: Use in a full cozy scene
Focus: Create a human connection
Day 16 – A frosty window
Beginner: Simple frame with patterns
Focus: Edges
Intermediate: Add soft lines or light marks
Focus: Suggest cold
Advanced: Scene from inside or outside
Focus: Use texture and contrast
Day 17 – A winter hat or hood
Beginner: Rounded shape
Focus: Keep it soft
Intermediate: Add knit or fluff detail
Focus: Texture
Advanced: On someone with winter clothing
Focus: Shape the mood
Day 18 – A memory from this year
Beginner: One object from that time
Focus: Clear form
Intermediate: Add a setting
Focus: Emotion
Advanced: Full scene with meaning
Focus: Tell your story
Day 19 – A plate of cookies or baked goods
Beginner: One or two treats
Focus: Balance
Intermediate: Add shape, shine, or pattern
Focus: Suggest taste
Advanced: Use in a kitchen or gathering scene
Focus: Build comfort
Day 20 – A snowy animal print or footprint
Beginner: Simple shape on the ground
Focus: Form
Intermediate: Add soft edges or shadow
Focus: Show surface
Advanced: Scene with full path
Focus: Use space to suggest story
Day 21 – A small glowing object
Beginner: Light in darkness
Focus: Contrast
Intermediate: Add details or a glow effect
Focus: Suggest shine
Advanced: Scene with mystery or magic
Focus: Let light lead
Day 22 – A decorated window
Beginner: Simple layout
Focus: Shape and layers
Intermediate: Add light or details
Focus: Texture
Advanced: Full indoor-outdoor view
Focus: Build mood and story
Day 23 – A moment of quiet indoors
Beginner: One calm item
Focus: Simplicity
Intermediate: Add soft shadows or space
Focus: Suggest stillness
Advanced: Full room scene
Focus: Use light to show peace
Day 24 – A personal tradition
Beginner: Object or symbol
Focus: Connection
Intermediate: Add setting
Focus: Personal meaning
Advanced: Scene with family or memory
Focus: Draw what matters
Day 25 – Something that means “home” to you
Beginner: One item
Focus: Strong shape
Intermediate: Add warmth and shadow
Focus: Mood
Advanced: Full setting
Focus: Let emotion lead
Day 26 – A favorite blanket or quilt
Beginner: Soft shape
Focus: Curves
Intermediate: Add texture or pattern
Focus: Comfort
Advanced: Scene in bed or couch
Focus: Suggest calm
Day 27 – A gift being opened
Beginner: Simple box and hands
Focus: Proportion
Intermediate: Add motion or surprise
Focus: Gesture
Advanced: Scene with people
Focus: Show joy
Day 28 – A winter sky
Beginner: Simple tones
Focus: Light and shape
Intermediate: Add clouds or soft gradients
Focus: Mood
Advanced: Scene under the sky
Focus: Let color and light guide emotion
Day 29 – An object that sparkles
Beginner: Clear shape
Focus: Edges
Intermediate: Add shine or texture
Focus: Suggest light
Advanced: Use in a magical or festive scene
Focus: Add wonder
Day 30 – A warm drink you love
Beginner: Side view of a cup
Focus: Proportion
Intermediate: Add steam, foam, or details
Focus: Suggest warmth
Advanced: Scene of you enjoying it
Focus: Show connection
Day 31 – What this year felt like to you
Beginner: One symbolic object
Focus: Personal meaning
Intermediate: Add light and shadow
Focus: Emotion
Advanced: Full scene that reflects your year
Focus: Let your drawing speak for you
Maybe you want to add a special drawing? Then you’ll find inspiration with my Winter Drawing Ideas: Creative and Cozy Art Projects for the Cold Season
You Finished The December Drawing Challenge – Draw with Heart, Close with Grace
You made it. You drew your way through quiet mornings, cold evenings, and soft lights. Every line was a way to reflect, rest, and reconnect.
This month, you didn’t just sketch, you told stories, held memories, and slowed down. For a few moments at least.
That’s powerful. Keep your pencil moving.
Keep the Challenge Going
→ Browse all Monthly Drawing Challenges
→ Start the 52-Week Drawing Challenge
→ Begin your next Year of Drawing with the January Drawing Challenge
Share Your Art from December
Made something magical? Quiet? Cozy?
Share your favorite sketch on X, Pinterest, Instagram, or send it to a friend.
Use #DrawyagerChallenge to spread light and creativity into the new year.
