Hand-drawn illustrations to brighten graduation: an idea collection you'll want to copy

randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)

[Simple Illustration] How to Draw a Randoseru (Japanese School Backpack)! Perfect for this season ♡ [Caricature Artist’s Drawing] #shorts

When you think of graduation, the first thing that comes to mind is a randoseru school bag.

As a companion that stayed by your side for six years, preserving it in an illustration is a lovely idea.

If you draw it with slightly rounded lines, it will give a softer impression, and carefully adding details like the shoulder straps and hardware will create a feeling that it’s brimming with memories.

Finishing it in the color you used back then will make the piece feel more realistic and nostalgic.

To emphasize the graduation theme, try scattering cherry blossom petals beside the bag, or slightly opening the flap so you can glimpse a notebook or class schedule peeking out.

It’s a motif that’s easy to draw even without advanced techniques, so it’s an approachable idea for people who aren’t confident in hand-drawn illustrations.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

mortarboard

If graduation is the theme, a mortarboard is indispensable.

Perching the cap on a round-faced character or simply adding a flowing tassel instantly creates the feeling of a “special day.” Instead of plain black, incorporating designs with stars or flowers, or writing a message along the brim, will give the illustration warmth.

Slightly varying line thickness can add depth, and shading with colored pencils produces a soft finish—making it easy for beginners to try.

Add it to notebooks, message boards, or group cards, and it’s sure to leave a strong impression on those who see it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

Blue Bird

The “blue bird” expresses a positive feeling of spreading one’s wings into a new world.

If you draw a rounded body with slightly larger wings and depict it lightly taking off into the sky, it conveys a bright sense of setting out.

Using not only deep blue but also layering sky blue and pale blue adds softness and creates a finish that evokes hope and the future.

Keep the eyes and beak simple, and add small stars or lines suggesting wind around it to make the sense of flying freely even more striking.

Another lovely point is that simply adding a blue bird next to a message card or a group note can carry the wish, “May happiness continue from here on out.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

Jump

@ryrydraw

#pencilsketch#pencildrawing#gambarpensil#sketsamudah#belajarmenggambar#menggambarmudah#gambarsimple#figuredrawing

♬ Grateful Heart – ARUM DEWI

When you draw a “jump,” it conveys the excitement of taking a new step and creates a very positive mood.

Spreading both arms wide gives a really energetic impression.

If you curve the body line slightly like an arc, it looks as if they’re springing lightly into the air.

Make the expression a smile and lift the corners of the mouth to emphasize the fun.

Adding small lines around the figure can show the upward motion, and sprinkling sparkles or musical notes will instantly brighten the whole page.

Including a small school building or cherry blossoms in the background will enhance the graduation feel.

If you add it to a message board or an album, it becomes a lively illustration that captures the feeling of “starting from here.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kojifumi

Report a problem

Diploma

It’s also a good idea to draw a diploma, which immediately conveys the theme at a glance.

You can express it simply by adding a ribbon to a black tube, so it’s relatively easy to include—that’s part of its appeal.

It works well as an accent in areas where the empty space bothers you, and it’s also nice to have a character hold one in an illustration.

You could also depict the moment of receiving a diploma, or everyone showing theirs to each other.

Try imagining situations that stem from the diploma and build your design from there.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

Photo of memories

As graduation approaches, we have more chances to look back on the fun memories from school life.

One idea I’d like to share is to capture many of those memories as illustrations by drawing an illustration of memorable photos.

Imagine a design where lots of photos are arranged together.

You could create a large frame and place multiple photos inside it, or design it so the photos look casually scattered.

One of the charms of this illustration is that when you look back at it later, it will make you think, “Oh right, that happened too.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

classroom

How about drawing an illustration set in a classroom where you spent so much time during your school years? You could imagine a scene with students sitting at their desks, or a lively moment with students having fun in the classroom.

The former might bring back memories of lessons, while the latter could remind you of those casual interactions with friends.

You could also draw an empty classroom—that would let you express the slightly lonely feeling after graduation.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem