A garden wall built one brick at a timeStagger each row by half a brick. No rushing.
A grid of squares, each with one different markRule the grid first, then fill one square at a time.
A spiral from the middle out, as slow as you likeKeep an even gap. See how big it gets before the edge.
Concentric rings round a single dotDraw a ring, then the next a pencil's width outside it, until the page is full.
Dots arranged in a flower of circlesDots on a ring, then a bigger ring, then a bigger one.
Fish scales from the top of the page downEach row of U shapes sits between the ones above.
Hatching in a square, then across itParallel lines one way, then a second layer the other way.
Rows of little leaves along a vineA curving stem and a leaf on each side, all the way along.
Rows of tiny scallops filling a whole pageOne small curve, again and again. Keep each row touching the last.
Six-sided cells packed edge to edge until the page is fullDraw one, then fit the next against its side, slowly outward.
Tiny houses in a line along the pageOne roof, one door, one window each, all slightly different.
Wavy lines running side to side, never touchingFollow the line above with a steady hand, like ripples.
Quiet nature 12
A branch with three small budsOne thin line and three swelling tips.
A cloud drawn with only soft shadingNo outline. Rub the tone in with a finger or tissue.
A feather found on a walk, drawn life-sizeA central shaft and fine lines out from it, close together.
A houseplant leaf and its veinsTrace the outline slowly, then the veins branching out.
A notched lily pad and its reflectionA round pad with a notch on a flat oval of water.
A pebble with its smooth shadingOne curved shape, shaded softly from one side.
A snail shell's spiralRound and round from the centre, with fine growth lines.
An open cone with its scales in spiralsScales in spirals, each tucked behind the next.
Drizzle beading on a car windscreenSmall shapes, each with a light spot and a short trail.
Grass blades in a small patchShort upward strokes, some bending, some crossing.
Layered hills, each a shade palerSoft curves, each paler than the one in front.
Moss on a stone, dot by dotA stone shape and hundreds of small dots on its top.
Soft light 12
A cottage at dusk with one warm paneA dark page, a roof shape and one warm square of light.
A fire in a hearth, drawn in glowing tonesLeave the flames as the lightest part of the page.
A lighthouse beam across calm waterOne tall shape and a long soft wedge of light.
A mug of tea with steam in soft curlsRound shapes, gentle shading and faint lines above.
A path of evening light across still waterHorizontal bands of tone and one bright path.
A window seat with a blanket and a viewCushions, a folded blanket and soft light through the glass.
Early mist hiding the far hedgePale tones only. Let the far edge disappear.
Fairy lights in a jarA jar outline and soft dots of light, each with a halo.
The first stars over a dark meadowA dark sky and tiny dots, with a line of field below.
Lamplight on a table and an open bookA pool of pale tone surrounded by darker shading.
Moonlight on a sleeping townRooftop shapes in dark tone and a pale moon.
Morning sun across a bedroom floorA slanted pale shape on darker boards.
Slow lines 12
A bird drawn as a single calligraphic strokeOne swoop for the body and wing, then a dot for the eye.
A cat curled up, outline onlyOne curving line for the body and tail.
A cup drawn in one slow continuous lineNever lift the pen; go as slowly as you need.
A flower drawn with your eyes closedSlow and wobbly on purpose. Open your eyes at the end.
A friend's profile in one wandering lineOne line from forehead to chin. Let it wander.
A house plant in outline, leaf by leafDraw each leaf where it overlaps the one behind.
A leaf outline repeated in different sizesOverlap them softly; no shading needed.
A tree using only branching linesStart at the trunk and split each branch in two.
Peaks of every size in one unbroken strokeUp and down across the page, never lifting the pen.
Waves drawn in one long wandering lineLoops and curves that never break.
Your hand traced, then decorated insideTrace round it, then fill it with gentle patterns.
Your name in a slow, flowing scriptJoin every letter, loop the tails.
Cosy things 12
A cardigan on the back of a chairSoft sleeves hanging, buttons in a line.
A patchwork quilt, square by squareDraw the grid, then a small pattern in each square.
A pile of books with a cup on topRectangles stacked unevenly and a round cup.
A reading nook with a lampAn armchair corner, a tall lamp and a shelf.
A sleeping dog on a rugA curled shape and a fringe of rug edge.
A teapot with a knitted coverA round shape with ribbed lines and a pom-pom on top.
Herbs growing in a kitchen window boxA long box and small leaves in clusters.
Knitting needles in a ball of woolA round ball with wound lines and two crossing sticks.
Slippers by the doorTwo soft shapes side by side.
Soup with a swirl of cream, from aboveAn ellipse, a spoon handle and a spiral of cream.
Sweaters folded on a wardrobe shelfSoft rectangles, knit lines and a shelf edge.
Three wool balls rolling out of a sewing tinA round tin and round shapes with wound lines.
How it works
Calm drawing ideas are slow on purpose: one mark repeated across a page, a feather drawn barb by barb, soft light in a dark room. These 60 have no deadline and nothing to get right.
Read the full guide
Relaxing doodle ideas for a few minutes
Repeating patterns holds 12 that need no plan: rows of tiny scallops, concentric rings round a single dot, fish scales from the top of the page down. Stop whenever you like; any point is a finished page.
Longer, quieter drawings
Soft light and Cosy things hold subjects to linger over, such as lamplight on a table and an open book or a patchwork quilt, square by square. Shade slowly with the side of the pencil.
Put the eraser away. Slow drawings go wrong gently, and the wobble is part of them.
A soft pencil or a fineliner that glides makes long repeated marks easier.
Questions and answers
What can I draw when I want something slow?
A spiral from the middle out, as slow as you like, or a grid of squares with one different mark in each. Neither needs a plan or a reference.
Do I need to be good at drawing?
No. Most of these are repeated marks, outlines or soft shading, and none has a right answer. Slow lines even asks for a flower drawn with your eyes closed.
How is this different from doodles for when you are bored?
Doodles to draw when bored are quick and funny. These are slow and quiet, meant to fill twenty minutes rather than two.