How to draw on Canva

Canva is a versatile design tool, and while it’s primarily known for pre-made templates and graphic elements, it also allows you to draw custom shapes, lines, and designs.

Whether you're looking to create freehand drawings or add personalized touches to your designs, this guide will walk you through the steps on how to draw directly in Canva.

How to Draw on Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open Canva and Create a New Design

To start drawing, log into your Canva account and click on the "Create a Design" button.

Choose the canvas size based on your needs, such as a custom size, presentation, or poster. This will give you a blank canvas to work on.

Step 2: Go to the "Elements" Tab

Once your design is open, navigate to the "Elements" tab in the left sidebar.

This is where Canva houses all its shapes, lines, and customizable drawing tools.

You can use these built-in options to help guide your freehand drawing process.

Step 3: Search for the "Draw" Feature

Type “Draw” in the search bar under the "Elements" tab.

Canva has introduced a "Draw" tool where you can use freehand drawing features such as pens, brushes, or markers.

Select the draw option, and a set of drawing tools will appear on the top toolbar.

Step 4: Choose Your Brush Style

After selecting the "Draw" tool, Canva offers various brush styles, such as pen, highlighter, or marker.

Choose the style that suits your design needs.

You can adjust the thickness of the brush stroke using the slider that appears when you click on the chosen brush style.

Step 5: Adjust the Color and Thickness of the Line

Before starting to draw, you can choose the color of your brush from the color palette.

To do this, click on the color picker option in the top toolbar.

You can also adjust the thickness of your brush stroke by sliding the thickness bar left or right to get the perfect size for your drawing.

Step 6: Start Drawing

Once you’ve set your brush style and color, click and hold down your mouse or trackpad to start drawing directly on the canvas.

Move your cursor to draw lines, shapes, or any custom design. You can use undo and redo buttons to fix any mistakes.

Step 7: Edit Your Drawing

After drawing, you can select individual strokes to adjust their size, color, or even delete them.

You can also move drawn objects around the canvas to fit them into your design by simply clicking and dragging them.

Step 8: Save or Continue Editing

Once you're happy with your drawing, save your design by clicking "Download" at the top right corner.

You can choose the format (PNG, JPG, or PDF) depending on how you plan to use your design.

Alternatively, you can continue adding elements, text, or images to enhance your custom drawing.

Now that you're drawing on Canva, enhance your designs further by learning how to outline an image in Canva to give your artwork a polished finish.

Conclusion

Drawing on Canva offers creative flexibility, allowing you to personalize designs with custom drawings, doodles, or annotations.

Whether you're sketching from scratch or adding custom touches to a pre-made template, Canva's drawing tools provide an easy way to bring your creativity to life.

Use these steps to explore the possibilities and elevate your design projects.

FAQs can come handy!

Can I draw on both the mobile and desktop versions of Canva?

Yes, Canva’s drawing feature is available on both desktop and mobile versions, allowing you to draw wherever you prefer.

Can I edit or erase parts of my drawing after I’ve drawn it?

Yes, you can use the eraser tool or select individual strokes to modify or remove them as needed.

What file formats can I download my Canva drawing in?

You can download your design with drawings as PNG, JPG, or PDF depending on the project’s requirements.