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 (11–20)

Diploma

Let's draw a graduation message card! [Watercolor and pen] Graduation message card illustration

Diploma

A graduation certificate is perfect when you want to fill a small empty space with an illustration.

Just draw a scroll and add a ribbon, and the idea comes across clearly.

You can also customize it by having a drawn character hold it or placing it alongside flower illustrations.

If something feels a bit lacking, try remembering this idea.

By the way, some people draw an open graduation certificate and put a message inside.

Feel free to try it if you like.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

view from behind

For those who want to create a stylish atmosphere, depicting a figure from behind is also recommended.

Try drawing the back view of a student holding a bag or a diploma.

Just from that rear view, you can convey that the graduation ceremony has ended and that they are leaving the school behind.

It’s also a good idea to have the student slightly look back; that way, you can express a lingering sense of attachment.

You can also add touches like pairing it with cherry blossom petals or making it look like they’re waving.

It’s lovely when a simple illustration lets viewers imagine the story in the background.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

kusudama (decorative paper ball used for celebrations)

[Perfect for graduation and farewell parties] Cute autograph board arrangement ideas [hand-drawn illustration frames]

kusudama (decorative paper ball used for celebrations)

A kusudama decoration graces a moving moment of the graduation ceremony.

The sight of colorful paper pieces fluttering down symbolizes the bright future awaiting graduates as they step onto a new path.

By incorporating a kusudama into your illustrations, you can convey a festive atmosphere and heartfelt emotion.

Consider scenes like breaking open a kusudama with friends in the schoolyard, or receiving a diploma amid a shower of confetti—let your creativity shine.

These illustrations are sure to become special memories for those celebrating their graduation.

We recommend adding kusudama illustrations to message cards or as decorations for graduation yearbooks.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Flowers that bloom in spring

Draw with just one ballpoint pen: Easy and cute! How to draw spring flower illustrations | draw with me

Flowers that bloom in spring

If you’re struggling with what to put in your illustration’s background, drawing spring flowers is a great option.

When it comes to graduation ceremonies, cherry blossoms tend to be the strongest association, but tulips, anemones, and lilies of the valley are also lovely choices.

This idea can both liven up the background and convey the warm atmosphere of spring.

By the way, since each flower has different petal counts and shapes, it’s best to have reference photos on hand before you start drawing.

Capture the key characteristics and stylize them to finish with a cute look.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

school building

[Simple & Cute] How to Draw Spring Illustrations | Illustrations, Planners, Notebooks, Letters, POP Displays, Hand-Drawn | How to draw spring illustrations easy

school building

An illustration themed around the school building where the graduating children spent their days can create a deeply moving page.

For example, works depicting scenes such as children playing excitedly with their friends in a schoolyard where cherry blossoms flutter, or shaking hands with a teacher in front of the school gate, will leave a lasting impression.

Illustrations of everyday scenes commonly seen at elementary schools—like a child proudly holding a diploma or mementos arranged on classroom desks—are also touching.

Illustrations call for delicate expressions of emotion, and when these connect with the hope for the children’s bright future, they become meaningful keepsakes.

The vast sky seen from the classroom and the school building under the blue sky where the first steps toward a new beginning are taken will be a warm presence watching over each graduate.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

blue sky

Anyone can do it! How to draw the sky | Drawing studio 118

blue sky

An illustration of children smiling as they hold their diplomas against a blue sky is perfect for marking graduation.

For example, a scene of balloons released into the sky symbolizes hope for freedom and leaves a lasting impression.

A creative touch that lets each child express their own dreams is also recommended.

Additionally, depicting moments of classmates playing together in the classroom or on the schoolyard—symbols of their days of learning—can turn memories into something that never fades.

For children about to graduate, a cheerful illustration under a clear blue sky is sure to encourage them as they embark on a new journey.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For Elementary Schools] Useful! Collection of Graduation Illustration Ideas (21–30)

White-eye and cherry blossomsNEW!

Let’s try drawing an illustration featuring the Japanese white-eye, known as a bird that heralds spring, and cherry blossoms, the quintessential spring flower.

The Japanese white-eye and cherry blossoms are often depicted together, likely because the birds are fond of cherry nectar.

Try expressing the feeling of spring and new beginnings by drawing white-eyes flitting among cherry blossom branches or perched on them.

The Japanese white-eye is characterized by its rounded body and the white eye-ring around its eyes, so be sure to keep those points in mind when illustrating.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem