Listen to Music While Drawing - A Creative Guide for Artists
Can I listen to music while drawing? Will the music distract attention?
Many artists ask this question, especially for the perfect creative zone. Whether sketching on a tablet, doodling in a notebook, or working on a digital masterpiece, music can play a decisive role in your artistic process.
As a digital drawing artist who has worked across different platforms - from pen tablets to standalone drawing pads like the ugee M708 and UT3 - I can tell you that music isn't just background noise. It's a tool.
Without further ado, let's dive in!
Should You Listen to Music While Drawing?
Short answer: Yes, if it helps you focus or feel inspired.
Listening to music while drawing is a personal choice. Some artists find that music helps them concentrate, shut out distractions, and enter the creative flow more quickly. Others may find it distracting, especially if the music often has lyrics or changes in tempo.
Here's how to know if listening to music while drawing is right for you:
✅ You Might Enjoy Music While Drawing If:
- You work in noisy or shared environments
- You feel anxious or stressed before starting a piece
- You want to get into a specific emotional or visual mood
- You enjoy rhythmic movement in your lines and strokes
❌ You Might Prefer Silence If:
- You're working on highly detailed or technical pieces
- You're still learning and need complete mental focus
- You get distracted by lyrics or fast beats
If unsure, try drawing the same subject with and without music and see how your performance or mood changes.
Does Listening to Music Help With Art?
Yes. Listening to music can boost your art-making process, especially in mood, rhythm, and focus. Scientific studies suggest that music can affect brain activity and emotion regulation. For artists, this translates to:
- Improved concentration: Especially with ambient or instrumental music
- Increased emotional expression: Drawing emotionally charged scenes becomes easier
- More fluid movement: Music with a steady beat can sync with your drawing hand
- Stress reduction: Music can calm nerves and reduce the fear of a blank canvas
If you're using a responsive drawing tablet like the ugee M908 (a fantastic entry-level option with great pressure sensitivity), pairing it with the right playlist can enhance your control over the pen and help you express your ideas more effectively.
What Music Should I Listen to While Doing Art?
Here's the truth - there's no single correct answer. It depends on the kind of art you're doing and the mood you want to create.
For Focused Sketching or Line Work
- Ambient electronic
- Lo-fi hip-hop
- Classical music
- Video game soundtracks
These genres help maintain a rhythm without stealing your attention. If you're working with a pen tablet like the ugee M908, which offers smooth line quality and quick response time, these soundscapes can help you stay precise and steady.
For Expressive, Emotional Pieces
- Jazz
- Piano solos
- Instrumental movie scores
- Indie or acoustic playlists
These evoke feelings and help guide the tone of your piece.
For High-Energy Drawing (like comics or digital painting)
- EDM
- Upbeat pop
- Rock
- Funk or soul
These work well when using vibrant brushes and colors, especially on a display tablet like the ugee U1200 or ugee UT3, where you draw directly on the screen and feel fully immersed in the visual energy.
Why Do Artists Listen to Music?
From beginners to professionals, many artists listen to music while drawing because it helps them get in the "zone," often called the flow state. When you're in this moment, the time seems to slip away, your hands will move almost automatically, and you'll feel deeply connected to your art or work.
Here are the top reasons why artists enjoy listening to music while drawing something:
1. Music Enhances Mood
Music can lift artists' spirits, deepen their emotional expression, or calm their nerves. Whether drawing a peaceful landscape or a dramatic character scene, music helps people feel the emotion you want to express.
2. Music Blocks Out Distractions
Music (especially with noise-canceling headphones) can help artists filter out unwanted noise. It is helpful for artists who require concentration for detailed work.
3. Listening to Music Builds a Routine
Having a specific playlist for drawing can become a trigger that tells your brain, "It's time to create." This habit-forming method can be powerful for artists trying to develop consistency.
4. It Feeds Imagination
Some artists draw what they hear, turning melodies into colors or visual rhythms. The connection between sound and imagination is strong and personal.
Listening to Music While Drawing is Easy
If you're new to digital art, you might wonder how to combine music and drawing without overcomplicating it. Here's how to make listening to music while drawing easy:
Use Simple Gear
- Noise-canceling headphones: Block out the world and help you focus
- Streaming apps: Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music all offer art-focused playlists
Use a Tablet with Shortcut Keys
ugee drawing tablets like the M908 or S1060 come with customizable shortcut keys. You can assign keys to pause music, change tracks, or adjust volume so you don't interrupt your workflow.
Set Up a Drawing-Friendly Workspace
Whether using a pen tablet (like M908) or a standalone drawing pad (like UT2/UT3), keep your music source nearby and easily controllable. You can try earbuds with gesture control or voice control. In this way, you don't need to take out your phone; just let music enhance your process instead of distracting from it.
Bonus Tip: How to Draw Earphones in Hand
1. Start With the Hand
- Sketch the hand in a relaxed grip (use a reference photo if needed)
- Define the palm, fingers, and thumb lightly with a pencil or base brush
2. Draw the Earphone Plug or Case
- Place it in the palm or between fingers, depending on your concept
- Use simple 3D forms like rectangles or cylinders to start
3. Add the Wires (or Earbuds)
- For wired earphones, draw flowing lines from the plug or case
- Use gentle curves to suggest movement and gravity
- For wireless earbuds, focus on the compact shape and how they sit between fingers
4. Add Details and Shading
- Include texture on the wires, small buttons on the buds, or branding if needed
- Use shadows to anchor the earphones in the hand naturally
5. Clean Linework and Color
- Go over your sketch with clean lines using your ugee drawing tablet, adjusting pressure sensitivity for dynamic strokes
- Add color with shading to match lighting conditions
Whether sketching on the ugee M908 or painting directly on the ugee UT3, drawing earphones in hand is a great way to practice anatomy and tech design.
Recommended ugee Tablets for Music-Enhanced Drawing
ugee M908 — Best for Beginners
- Affordable and easy to use
- Large drawing area
- Great pen response for sketching and inking
ugee U1200 — Best for Visual Learners
- Draw directly on the screen
- Ideal for watching tutorials or listening to music while working
ugee UT3 — Best for Eye Comfort and Long Sessions
- Color modes to reduce eye fatigue
- Pairs perfectly with calm music for deep focus
Want to draw better and feel better? Add a playlist to your setup, pick a ugee drawing tablet, and let your creativity flow in peace or rhythm.
Explore the full range of ugee drawing tablets or ugee earbuds (which will launch officially in June).
Conclusion: Music + Art = A Creative Combo
If you get stuck on drawing, why not listen to some music?
Drawing while listening to music with the right drawing tablet is comfortable. Whether you're just starting or a seasoned digital artist, ugee has a tablet that fits your workflow and creativity.