A lovely graduation song

[For Elementary Schools] Practical! A Collection of Graduation Illustration Ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Composition nerdmutō
Started performing in bands in junior high school. Influenced by Japanese rock and UK rock, spent over 10 years continuing band activities while creating original songs. Later began producing Vocaloid tracks using Hatsune Miku, with total plays of released songs surpassing 10,000. Has five years of experience writing for music magazines. Currently works as a music writer, director, and composer, keeping a ground-level perspective on the scene by attending live shows across Japan. Now performs at live houses in Tokyo, showcasing guitar playing centered on acoustic guitar and informed by knowledge of chord analysis and guitar scales. Also writes leveraging a broad knowledge of music genres.

Are you looking for illustration ideas that can be used in an elementary school graduation yearbook or anthology? Reflecting on six years of memories and expressing days spent with friends and school events through drawings is a perfect activity for such a special milestone like graduation.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of illustration ideas to brighten up your graduation anthology.

From themes like sports day and the school trip to scenes depicting everyday moments with classmates, we’ve gathered a variety of motifs.

Whether you’re confident in your drawing skills or feel a bit unsure, we hope you’ll find an idea that suits you!

[For Elementary Schools] Useful! Graduation Illustration Idea Collection (1–10)

graduation ceremony

[Graduation Ceremony Illustration] A Simple Drawing Method Anyone Can Do

graduation ceremony

Speaking of graduation, many people probably picture the graduation ceremony itself.

With that in mind, here are some illustration ideas for graduation.

For example, try drawing a student holding a diploma.

That alone can capture the atmosphere of a ceremony.

To make it look more polished, paying attention to hairstyles and clothing is also effective.

For a female student, you might show her with her hair tied up and dressed up a bit.

Imagining what you yourself would wear on the day and drawing based on that could make the process smoother.

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cherry blossom

[Simple Illustration] How to Draw Cherry Blossoms with Markers // Planner Ideas Using Cherry Blossom Illustrations!

cherry blossom

Graduating from elementary school symbolizes a new beginning.

An illustration featuring cherry blossoms is a fitting choice for such a milestone and an excellent way to etch memories in children’s hearts.

That’s why a scene woven from children’s hopeful smiles and cherry blossom petals dancing in the blue sky helps ease the sadness of parting and inspires a positive outlook.

The idea of having each student write a message on a cherry tree will beautifully enhance the class’s unity and shared memories.

Illustrations that adorn the school building and moments of friendship with cherry blossoms are moving, turning the brief farewell of graduation into a warm memory.

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girl; woman; female (context-dependent)

[Simple & Cute] How to Draw a Girl with a Half-Up Bun [#shorts]

girl; woman; female (context-dependent)

Drawing illustrations of schoolgirls is a classic choice.

First, let’s decide on the style and direction.

You could go for a realistic look, or opt for a manga style or a cute, laid-back character style.

If you have other motifs you want to include, try to decide while considering the balance with those elements.

By the way, hairstyles like half-up or a bun can give the illustration a graduation-ceremony vibe.

Try to draw it with a slightly formal impression.

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[For Elementary Schools] Useful! Graduation Illustration Idea Collection (11–20)

Blackboard frame

With Gratitude to Teachers: How to Draw a Chalkboard Illustration Frame [Perfect for Graduation Season Message Boards] #shorts

Blackboard frame

Some of you might be thinking about incorporating a message into your illustration.

In that case, a chalkboard frame idea is highly recommended.

On graduation day, students and teachers often write messages on the blackboard, right? You can recreate that feel.

First, draw a rectangle and write the date of the graduation on the right edge.

That alone gives it a chalkboard vibe.

Then, add words of thanks or congratulations in the blank space, and you’re done.

It would also look lovely if you draw it together with a character.

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boy; boys; male; men (context-dependent)

[1-Minute Drawing] How to Draw a Stylish Middle-Parted Guy [Draw With Me]

boy; boys; male; men (context-dependent)

In many cases, you’ll probably draw illustrations of male students as well.

The key point then is how to express a masculine look.

This is because when you draw characters in a deformed (chibi) style, both female and male students tend to come across as cute.

An easy-to-see difference is the school uniform, but sometimes you might only draw up to the neck or shoulders.

In such cases, a good way to convey a masculine feel is to make the shoulders slightly more angular.

It’s simple, but it can dramatically change the overall impression.

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randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)

[Easy & Cute!] How to Draw Illustrations You Can Use in Spring [For Planners and Notebooks]

randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)

A randoseru is a fitting motif for the milestone of graduation.

Illustrations featuring it at a graduation ceremony evoke deep emotion as a testament to growth.

A randoseru that seems to speak of fun recesses with friends and hours of hard study gives a gentle push toward the journey ahead.

By drawing a small randoseru on the blackboard or depicting one filled with memories of classmates, children can celebrate their own advancement.

Such warm illustrations become wonderful gifts that remain forever in children’s hearts.

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A graduate waving

It’s hard to decide what pose to use when drawing a student, isn’t it? If you’re drawing multiple people, you can imagine them laughing together, but when it’s just one person, it gets even trickier.

That’s why I recommend the idea of drawing a student waving.

Picture a smiling student with their arm raised, waving broadly.

With this idea, a single illustration can convey the story of saying goodbye to school and moving on.

You can also have them holding a diploma if you like.

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