Computer Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas
Computer drawings are one of the most-loved sketching subjects, and for good reason — the basic version comes together from a few basic boxes and cylinders in just a few minutes. Follow the nine steps below to get the foundations right, then browse the ideas list for your next computer sketch.
- Difficulty Easy
- Time ~12 min
- Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
- Starts with a few basic boxes and cylinders
How to Draw a Computer Step by Step
Step 1 of 9
Screen and keyboard guides
Draw a light wide rectangle in the upper middle of the page for the screen, then a flatter rectangle below it for the keyboard.
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Screen and keyboard guides
Draw a light wide rectangle in the upper middle of the page for the screen, then a flatter rectangle below it for the keyboard.
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Monitor and neck
Trace the screen guide as a rounded rectangle outline, then draw a short thick neck below the monitor.
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Glass and base
Draw a smaller rectangle inside the monitor for the glass, and a wide flat oval base under the neck.
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Keyboard shape
Trace the keyboard guide as a rounded rectangle outline.
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Keyboard rows
Add four evenly spaced rows across the keyboard rectangle.
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Grid and content
Cross the rows with vertical lines to form small square keys, then add two short bars and a small icon inside the glass.
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Button and cable
Add a tiny power button circle at the bottom right of the monitor, and a curved cable from the base to the keyboard.
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Ink the lines
Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the light screen and keyboard guide rectangles.
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Color the computer
Fill the monitor frame gray, the glass light blue, the keyboard dark gray, and the stand gray.
Computer Drawing Ideas to Try Next
Once the basic computer clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.
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A worn, well-loved computer
Add scratches, patches, and history — aged objects have stories new ones don't.
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Cross-hatched vintage computer
Render it in old-encyclopedia pen style: outlines plus patient parallel hatching.
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An exploded view of a computer
Separate the parts in mid-air like an instruction manual — deeply satisfying to draw and read.
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A tiny computer on a big empty page
Miniature drawing with deliberate negative space — composition as the artwork.
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A computer as a tiny house
Add a door and windows to the computer as if someone tiny lives inside it.
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A computer pattern sheet
Fill a page with the computer at different angles and sizes — sticker-sheet style.
Tips for Better Computer Drawings
- A contact shadow grounds everything: a soft dark pool where the object meets the surface is the difference between sitting and floating.
- Find the object’s basic solids first (box, cylinder, sphere) and get their proportions right before any detail — detail on wrong proportions is wasted work.
Not feeling the computer today?
Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.
🎲 Random Drawing GeneratorComputer Drawing FAQ
What is the easiest way to draw a computer?
Start with a few basic boxes and cylinders, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The nine-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable computer on their very first try with it.
How long does a computer drawing take?
A simple computer drawing takes about 12 minutes following this tutorial. A quick doodle version can be done in two or three minutes, while a detailed, fully-shaded study might take an hour. Speed comes with repetition — the second attempt is always faster than the first.
What supplies do I need for computer drawings?
Just a pencil, an eraser, and any paper. An HB pencil for construction lines and a 2B for final outlines is a nice upgrade, and colored pencils or markers finish it off — but nothing on this page requires special supplies.
Can kids draw a computer?
Yes — the computer is one of the friendlier subjects for beginners, and this method was written for first-timers. Kids can follow the same steps; just expect wobblier lines and more charm.
