Simple doodles are one of the easiest ways to stay creative without pressure. Whether you're new to drawing or just need a calming break, doodling...
hand-drawn doodle art.
hand-drawn doodle art.
Doodling is more than just a fun habit. It’s also a creative exercise that helps improve focus, reduce stress, and free up your imagination.
Here’s why simple doodles work so well:
You can start without a plan
They only take a few minutes
There’s no pressure to make something “good”
They help you reconnect with creativity in a light, playful way
In other words, they’re perfect for busy days, quiet evenings, or moments when your brain just needs a break.
Try these simple doodle ideas whenever you feel stuck or just want to fill a page with something light and fun.
Start by drawing soft, looping lines that overlap or spin out like a spiral. Try making them tighter, wider, or layered in rows.
Draw small, simple leaf shapes over and over. Change the direction, size, or number of veins to mix it up. These look great as page borders too.
Draw a small shape (like a triangle or circle) and repeat it across the page. Try stacking them or placing them in a loose grid.
Simple square houses with triangle roofs make for simple and charming doodles. Add windows, smoke from a chimney, or tiny trees next to them.
Draw arches inside each other, rainbow-style. Use different sizes or leave small gaps for a light, open feel.
Quick mushroom doodles are fun and full of character. Start with a rounded cap and add dots or lines underneath for gills.
Sketch tiny crescent moons, full moons, or twinkly stars. Cluster them together to make a dreamy sky section on your page.
Draw a continuous wavy line, then mirror it or add zigzags underneath. These look great stacked like abstract patterns.
Simple, fluffy cloud doodles with falling dots or lines below them make a calm and peaceful combo.
Sketch tiny hills, trees, or a winding path with just a few lines. These are great fillers or little stories on a page.
There’s no wrong way to use simple doodles. But here are a few fun ideas to make the most of them:
Add them as decoration to your journal pages
Use them to warm up before a bigger drawing session
Fill one full sketchbook spread with just one idea
Create themed pages like “clouds and stars” or “forest floor”
Try doodling with your non-dominant hand for a fun twist
The main goal is to enjoy yourself while drawing — not to make anything perfect. That’s exactly what artmefree is all about: finding joy in simple, intuitive art.
If you’re enjoying these simple doodles and want to keep the creativity going, artmefree’s free “Art of Doodling” workbook is a great next step. It’s designed to help you explore doodling in a fun and stress-free way — whether you’re just starting out or already filling pages.
Inside the workbook, you’ll find a variety of doodling exercises that help spark ideas, build confidence, and make creativity part of your daily life. It includes:
Pattern ideas to inspire your next page
Simple drawing guides you can follow anytime
Space to experiment freely and try new shapes
Encouragement to relax, play, and enjoy the process
This printable guide is perfect for anyone who wants to make doodling feel easy and joyful. You can download it now in the freebie section and start doodling right away.
One fun way to use simple doodles is to create a grid of little squares or circles. Then draw one tiny doodle in each space. This helps you focus, build variety, and fill a page in a really satisfying way.
Try mixing:
Leaf shapes
Tiny bugs
Random lines or blobs
Faces or eyes
Mushrooms or flowers
The result feels both playful and personal.
Simple doodles are a low-pressure way to create and relax at the same time. They help you stay connected to your creativity without needing a plan or any art experience. Whether you’re adding them to a journal or filling up a sketchbook, they offer the perfect way to unwind.
Save this post on Pinterest to return to these doodles anytime.
Check out the artmefree gallery for more sketchbook inspiration.
And don’t forget to grab your free workbook in the freebie section!
