Note: newer versions of QGIS 3 require a different method. See my more recent video on drawing in QGIS if this applies to you.

How do you draw in QGIS? In this video, we tackle a task that is simple in some programs but requires a couple of extra steps in QGIS. Once you know these steps, however, you will unlock the ability to create your own points, lines, and polygons and exercise full control over your project.

The process involves first creating a 'host' layer - either a shapefile or a geopackage - which is saved to your computer. You must set the geometry type according to what kinds of shapes you want, plus the correct CRS (usually, the same CRS your project is in). By enabling layer edits, all the vector graphic options of QGIS will become usable. The final - and most important - step is saving those edits, a separate function to saving the project.