Draw an Outdoor Scene
Draw an outdoor scene using pencils, crayons, or markers; include sky, trees, animals, and foreground details to practice observation and composition.
About this tutorial
Draw an outdoor scene using pencils, crayons, or markers; include sky, trees, animals, and foreground details to practice observation and composition.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Choose an outdoor place to draw from memory or pick a photo to use as your reference.
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Step 2
Place your paper on a flat surface in either landscape or portrait orientation.
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Step 3
Lightly draw a horizon line with your pencil to separate the sky from the ground.
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Step 4
Sketch the sun and clouds in the sky area using simple circles and puffy shapes.
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Step 5
Draw basic tree shapes with trunks and round or pointy canopies where you want them.
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Step 6
Sketch animals as simple shapes like circles and ovals in the spots you chose for them.
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Step 7
Add foreground details such as grass flowers rocks or a path with short simple strokes.
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Step 8
Erase any extra pencil lines you do not want in your drawing.
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Step 9
Add texture details like leaves on the trees bark on trunks and fur marks on animals.
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Step 10
Choose your colors and color each part of the scene smoothly and neatly.
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Step 11
Outline the important parts with a darker pencil or a marker to make them stand out.
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Step 12
Write your name and the date in a corner as your artist signature.
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Step 13
Share your finished outdoor scene on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I guide my child to draw an outdoor scene step-by-step?
Start by choosing a reference—go outside with your child or use a photo. Have them lightly sketch a horizon line, then add sky elements like sun, clouds, and birds. Block in large shapes such as trees, hills, and shrubs, then place animals and foreground details (flowers, rocks, paths). Use pencils for sketching and crayons or markers for color. Encourage observation, layering of color, simple shading, and praise their choices.
What materials do I need to draw an outdoor scene with my child?
You’ll need plain drawing paper or a sketchbook, a soft pencil and eraser for initial sketches, crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers for color. Optional items include a clipboard or hard surface for outdoor drawing, a small stool, reference photos or binoculars, wipes or a smock, and stickers for younger kids. Choose non-toxic, washable materials and keep markers capped when not in use.
What ages is drawing an outdoor scene suitable for?
This activity suits a wide range: toddlers (2–3) can explore marks and basic shapes; preschoolers (4–6) can draw simplified trees, sun, and animals with guidance; elementary kids (7–9) can work on observation, proportions, and layering color; older children (10+) can focus on composition, perspective, and texture. Adapt complexity, tools, and session length to each child’s attention span and skill level.
What are the benefits of drawing outdoor scenes for children?
Drawing outdoor scenes improves observation, composition, and fine motor skills while boosting creativity and patience. It builds nature vocabulary (trees, weather, animals), increases concentration, and supports emotional expression. Working from real scenes or photos also encourages curiosity about the environment and science. For families, it’s a low-cost, screen-free activity that promotes conversation and positive feedback to reinforce learning.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have colored pencils, markers, or a smooth flat surface?
Use crayons, watercolor paints, or torn magazine collage for coloring and a clipboard, hardcover book, or the floor as your flat surface while following the instruction to color each part smoothly and neatly and outline important parts afterward.
My trees and animals look messy—how can I fix them without starting over?
Follow the step to sketch animals as simple shapes and lightly draw tree shapes with pencil, then erase extra pencil lines and refine proportions before adding texture details like leaves, bark, or fur.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
Have younger kids draw one animal and use stickers or crayons for simplicity, while older kids can add horizon perspective, detailed textures, shading, and more complex foreground details from the instructions.
How can we enhance or personalize the finished outdoor scene?
Add real materials like pressed flowers or small pebbles to the foreground, create a seasonal series, carefully outline important parts with marker, sign and date the corner as instructed, and then share the photo on DIY.org.