I’m not much of an artist, and find it hard to get started with a new drawing. But I’ve found that by using Simply Draw – a book which aims to help you draw over 150 things with step by step instructions – that I’m able to achieve drawings that at least look like what they’re supposed to.

And that’s a big bonus when you consider my starting point.

best books for drawing but I thought I’d give it a go with my Ohuhu Pupe colour markers, some of the best markers around.

shapes of a turtle in book Simply Draw

(Image credit: Future)

I chose an under the sea themed page to get me started, and began with a turtle, which was formed of a series of basic shapes (above).

I found the shapes easy to follow and they crucially gave me structure. If you’d just asked me to draw a turtle I probably would’ve got the shape wrong.

drawing of a turtle and a fish in felt tip pen next to a book with instructions on how to draw

(Image credit: Future)

Once I’d finished my turtle I coloured him in and then went round him with a black pen.

drawing of a turtle and a fish in felt tip pen next to a book with instructions on how to draw

(Image credit: Future)

I then moved on to the flat fish next to him, which I coloured in a bright shade of pink, with a slightly darker shade for the fins. Again, I outlined my fish in black.

drawing of a turtle and a fish in felt tip pen next to a book with instructions on how to draw

(Image credit: Future)

Here are both of my creations. Not bad for a beginner, I’d say.

drawing of a turtle and a fish in felt tip pen next to a book with instructions on how to draw

(Image credit: Future)

Simply Draw is by Ella McLean and published by Lom Art. It’s available from Amazon and is quite often on sale. So what are you waiting for? Grab yourself this book today and get drawing in 2026.