An image retrieval method is provided. The method includes detecting an outline of an image and obtaining an outline feature of the image, generating an index list in an image database according to the outline feature, and obtaining a sketch input by a user and retrieving images containing the sketch from the index list. The various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an image retrieval device and a real-time drawing prompting method and device. The various embodiments of the present disclosure can rapidly and precisely retrieve image information based on contents, and the user can rapidly retrieve desired images by inputting a sketch. The real-time drawing prompting method and device can provide the limner with real-time guidance based on the retrieval of a sketch map.