How to Draw in Canva

Canva is a platform where designers, creatives and pretty much anyone can make creative social media content. Did you know that you can also draw doodles, sketch quirky designs or hand-drawn quotes? We are going to show you just how quick and easy it is to draw in Canva!

What you Need to Know

Is the Draw app Free to use? The Draw (Beta) app in Canva is accessible to free and paid accounts.

Can you use the Canva Draw app with your iPad and Apple Pencil? Yes, you most definitely can and it's a great alternative to using your mouse!

Can you use a drawing table with the Canva Draw app? Yes, Canva says that external drawing tablets work very well with this app.

Step 1 - Create a New Canvas in Canva

On the Canva homepage, click on the button at the top right corner of the screen that says Create a Design. In the drop-down menu you can choose from the selected templates. For this tutorial, we are going to use the Instagram template.

You can also create your own custom size by clicking on the “+” button towards the bottom of the menu. Then, input the height and width of your canvas.

A new page will open with your canvas dimensions. On the left side panel, you will see quite a few options. You can locate the Draw (Beta) app by clicking on the Apps tab.

In the menu options, scroll down until you see the heading Create Something New. If you don’t see the app there, then scroll a little further down. Next, click on the icon Draw (Beta) to access the Canva drawing tool.

A window will pop up asking if you want to use the app. Click on the button that says Use and you are ready to start creating!

Are you new to Canva and not sure where to begin? You’ll want to check out our handy intro to Canva basics guide that contains all you need to get started.

Step 2 - Select a Drawing Tool and Color in Canva

The tools and layout are pretty simple, clear and easy to understand. At the top of the screen, you will find the Pen, Marker, Glow Pen and Highlighter. For each tool, you can adjust the Size, Transparency and Color.

The Pen has a fine line while the Marker is a bit thicker. The Glow Pen is a fun one that will definitely grab the attention of viewers. The Highlighter is slightly transparent, much like the typical highlighters you will find in your stationery.

You can begin sketching on the drawing area of your blank canvas, experiment with your uploaded Canva graphics or use the readily available templates on the platform.

In the color palette, there is an option to choose your own colors or use HEX codes (numbers with a hashtag e.g. #00000). Just click on the rainbow “+” icon. Then, in the window below, select a color or click on the second rainbow “+” icon for a wider selection of colors.

If you have a HEX code, you can input this into the box next to the eye-dropper.

Step 3 - Use the Drawing Tool in Canva

Now, have some fun doodling and sketching with the drawing tools. Why not create a social media template that can be saved for later and used in your future projects?

For this example, we selected the Glow Pen and started drawing on the canvas using the mouse. Don’t forget, you can use your external drawing tablet or iPad.

As you draw, you will notice a new tool pop up. The Eraser tool can be used to erase unwanted mistakes or clean up your drawings.

If you want to move individual elements around, you need to draw them separately. For example, in the image below, we drew the word “Smile”, and then clicked Done at the top. This placed the drawing on its own layer.

You can carry on using the Draw tool to add a second set of elements, then click Done again. If you do this for each part of the design, you will have more flexibility when adjusting the position and size.

Once you have decided on the feel of your design, add other elements including Canva icons and eye-catching text.

Looking to upgrade your font library and need some inspiration? Font Bundles has tons of FREE fonts available that you can download instantly and start using immediately.

It’s that easy to create fun, exciting and trendy social posts when you know how to draw in Canva. You can quickly boost your creative marketing and reach a larger audience.

The drawing tool is a great option for adding your own personal touch. Not only do you engage with your viewers, but you communicate with them on a more personal level too!