May is full of color, light, and small things that make life feel warm and alive. Flowers bloom, the sun shines longer, and little scenes of daily life start to feel special again. The May Drawing Challenge is all about finding beauty in simple things and drawing what makes you smile.
You get 31 creative ideas for every day in May. Each idea comes with tips for beginner, intermediate, and advanced artists, so you can grow no matter where you start.
Daily Prompts – May
Day 1 – A glass of water
Beginner: Side view of a glass
Focus: Keep the shape even and clear
Intermediate: Add water line and shadow
Focus: Show transparency and depth
Advanced: Glass on a table with light
Focus: Use reflection and surface details
Day 2 – A bunch of flowers
Beginner: Simple flower shapes
Focus: Use round and soft lines
Intermediate: Flowers in a vase
Focus: Layer shapes and vary angles
Advanced: Bouquet in a scene
Focus: Balance color, shape, and mood
For more floral inspiration, right this way to Flower Drawing Ideas: Creative Inspiration for Your Next Beautiful Art Projects
Day 3 – A door you see often
Beginner: Front view of the door
Focus: Use straight lines and shapes
Intermediate: Door with details like a handle or pattern
Focus: Add texture or shadow
Advanced: Full doorway in setting
Focus: Suggest space and atmosphere
Day 4 – A book and your hand
Beginner: Open book and basic hand shape
Focus: Use gentle curves
Intermediate: Add finger placement and depth
Focus: Structure and perspective
Advanced: Close-up reading moment
Focus: Emotion and gesture
Day 5 – A tree in full leaves
Beginner: Simple leaf cloud on a trunk
Focus: Keep the shape soft and full
Intermediate: Add branches and texture
Focus: Vary lines and layers
Advanced: Full scene under the tree
Focus: Depth and shadow play
No idea what the tree should look like? Then this way to 110+ Stunning Tree Drawing References to Improve Your Art Instantly
Day 6 – Something yellow
Beginner: Draw a banana, lemon, or flower
Focus: Clear shape and soft edges
Intermediate: Object in light and shadow
Focus: Use contrast and color
Advanced: Yellow object in a full scene
Focus: Let it be the focus through composition
Day 7 – A sunny corner
Beginner: Room corner with sunlight
Focus: Use clear lines to show light
Intermediate: Add objects and soft shadows
Focus: Let the light guide the drawing
Advanced: Full indoor scene
Focus: Shape the mood with sunlight
Day 8 – Your favorite snack
Beginner: A simple food item
Focus: Basic form and outline
Intermediate: Add dish or wrapper
Focus: Texture and detail
Advanced: Scene with the snack in use
Focus: Add story and warmth
Day 9 – A bicycle or scooter
Beginner: Side view with clean lines
Focus: Proportions and balance
Intermediate: Add pedals and shadows
Focus: Structure and angle
Advanced: Scene with someone riding
Focus: Capture motion and setting
Day 10 – An open drawer
Beginner: Simple box and depth
Focus: Use space and angle
Intermediate: Add items inside
Focus: Create layers and overlap
Advanced: Part of a room scene
Focus: Suggest story with placement
Day 11 – Shoes by the door
Beginner: One shoe side view
Focus: Solid shape and curve
Intermediate: A pair with light and wear
Focus: Texture and shadow
Advanced: Entryway scene
Focus: Use light and placement to tell a story
Day 12 – A basket or bowl of fruit
Beginner: Simple round forms
Focus: Shape and spacing
Intermediate: Add light and texture
Focus: Soft shadows and reflection
Advanced: Place it in a kitchen or a picnic
Focus: Use surroundings to support focus
Day 13 – A window with flowers
Beginner: Basic window with pot
Focus: Line control and shapes
Intermediate: Add leaves, light, and layers
Focus: Show depth through shading
Advanced: Full window view inside or out
Focus: Build a calm, balanced scene
Day 14 – A picnic scene
Beginner: Blanket and one item
Focus: Layout and form
Intermediate: Add food and setting
Focus: Placement and variety
Advanced: Scene with people
Focus: Tell a story of rest or joy
Day 15 – Your phone or favorite device
Beginner: Outline and buttons
Focus: Clean lines
Intermediate: Add light, screen, and reflections
Focus: Surface and shape
Advanced: Show it in use
Focus: Interaction and hand detail
Day 16 – A street you like
Beginner: Road with trees
Focus: Use of lines for depth
Intermediate: Add buildings or signs
Focus: Perspective and edges
Advanced: Full scene with atmosphere
Focus: Let the space feel real
Day 17 – A drink with ice
Beginner: Tall glass and ice cubes
Focus: Shape and spacing
Intermediate: Show cold, bubbles, or lemon
Focus: Light through glass
Advanced: Add a scene
Focus: Show the feeling of refreshment
Day 18 – A person relaxing
Beginner: Basic sitting pose
Focus: Gentle lines and flow
Intermediate: Add a blanket or a setting
Focus: Posture and soft light
Advanced: Full calm moment
Focus: Emotion through body and space
Day 19 – An open bag
Beginner: Simple outline
Focus: Clear shape and base
Intermediate: Add items inside
Focus: Layers and depth
Advanced: Place it in a daily scene
Focus: Suggest a story and setting
Day 20 – A pet or animal outside
Beginner: Basic pose
Focus: Proportions and movement
Intermediate: Add fur and ground
Focus: Texture and weight
Advanced: Scene in motion
Focus: Show light and natural energy
Day 21 – A sandwich or layered food
Beginner: Simple stacked shapes
Focus: Clear separation
Intermediate: Add texture and layers
Focus: Use light for form
Advanced: Scene with someone eating
Focus: Gesture and joy
Day 22 – A chair in sunlight
Beginner: Front or side view
Focus: Straight lines and shadow
Intermediate: Add soft light
Focus: Shadow shape
Advanced: Full scene
Focus: Calm through light and space
Day 23 – A toy or object from childhood
Beginner: Simple shape
Focus: Memory over detail
Intermediate: Show age or use
Focus: Fading or marks
Advanced: Place in past setting
Focus: Emotional storytelling
Day 24 – A pile of clothes or fabric
Beginner: Two folded shapes
Focus: Volume and curve
Intermediate: Add folds and texture
Focus: Light and soft shadows
Advanced: Scene with clutter or order
Focus: Use fabric to shape the feeling
Day 25 – A person walking
Beginner: Side view of steps
Focus: Simple posture
Intermediate: Legs in motion
Focus: Balance and weight
Advanced: Full scene with your favorite background
Focus: Gesture and light
Day 26 – Your favorite room detail
Beginner: Single object
Focus: Clear shape and memory
Intermediate: Small area with shadow
Focus: Use of space
Advanced: Place it in full setting
Focus: Light and emotion
Day 27 – A scene with clouds
Beginner: Basic sky with cloud forms
Focus: Smooth lines
Intermediate: Layers and light
Focus: Use shading
Advanced: Use clouds to set the mood
Focus: Scene building through the sky
Day 28 – Your hand holding something
Beginner: Hand shape and object
Focus: Overlap and angles
Intermediate: Add finger bends and depth
Focus: Structure and flow
Advanced: Use hand to express story
Focus: Gesture and purpose
Maybe you need some Hand Drawing References: How To Master The Art Of Hand Drawing?
Day 29 – Something bright and soft
Beginner: Pillow, peach, or flower
Focus: Round form
Intermediate: Add light and texture
Focus: Glow and softness
Advanced: Place in a peaceful space
Focus: Show calm through light
Day 30 – A snack or drink you made
Beginner: Basic form
Focus: Clear lines
Intermediate: Add a container or setting
Focus: Use shadow and detail
Advanced: Draw the moment of enjoying it
Focus: Add feeling through action
Day 31 – Your best moment this month
Beginner: Simple symbol or item
Focus: Let the meaning shine
Intermediate: Scene from memory
Focus: Personal connection
Advanced: Full moment in setting
Focus: Use light, space, and heart
You Finished The May Drawing Challenge – Small Things Matter
Every day this month, you looked at life with an artist’s eye. From snacks and shadows to plants and moments, you found beauty in the small stuff. That is a real skill.
Every sketch counts. Every page teaches. Keep that energy going.
Keep the Challenge Going
→ Start the June Drawing Challenge
→ Browse all Monthly Drawing Prompts
→ Join the 52-Week Drawing Challenge
Share Your Art from May
Which prompt did you love most this month? Post it on X, Pinterest, Instagram, or send it to a friend.
Use #DrawyagerChallenge so others can see how you see the world.
Let your art be part of something bigger.
