Draw A Flower – Tune in To Your Creative Side
Sometimes the best way to relax and unwind is to tap into your inner artist. Drawing can be a calming and therapeutic experience and a great way to capture the beauty of flowers. All it takes is some basic tools, a little bit of practice, and loads of patience and you’ll be impressing yourself in no time. We’ve compiled a list of must-haves and handy tricks you need to draw a flower like a pro.
Materials made simple
Artist’s supplies can seem a bit like a foreign language, but once you get the hang of it, it’s super simple. For starters, you’ll need a focus – paper or canvas, a pencil and eraser, plus a set of paints, preferably watercolours. Remember, this is your project so you’re free to play around with different textures, colouring tools and hues to create the perfect piece – whatever that may be!
Choose your subject
Your inspiration can come from anywhere – a nearby garden, your own photos or an online stock library. For beginners, it’s best to start simple and focus on just one flower. Carefully study the shape, observe the main profile, and break down the composition into simple geometrical parts to achieve an accurate drawing.
Make your paper shine
Ensure your artwork looks its best by using cold pressed watercolour paper. This thick paper will prevent your artwork from wrinkling and after-effects from the added water when painting the final masterpiece.
Does simplicity rule?
Flowers are most beautiful in their simplicity. Consider using lighter tones to draw attention to the petals and centre. Layer your wash of colours from dark (shadows) to light (highlights) to give the flower texture and dimension. Don’t be afraid to use fine lines to make intricate details – this is your canvas and it should reflect your individuality and make the overall piece more interesting and captivating.
Pulling it all together
Drawing a beautiful flower isn’t a difficult task. It’s all about taking the time you need to capture every detail, layer your hues and to let your creativity run wild. Remember, practice makes perfect so start small, keep your lines light, mix and remix your colours, and you’ll soon master the art of flower drawing.
From the sky to the sun
Start by playing around with the sky – tracing the clouds and giving the flower accents of blues and purples. Mute tones are key to achieving a subtle but effective base for the rest colours. You can either draw perfect circles for the petals or draw a series of straight lines and create wedge shapes if you want something more contemporary.
Lift and lighten
Once you’ve finished the outlines, its time to lift the painting off the page. Collect the pots of paint and use bold and vibrant hues to bring the flower to life. Carefully fill each petal with your colours starting with the darkest tone then slowly move to the lightest. Try using a fan brush for distance or a smaller brush for precision – it’s totally up to you!
All about the core
Drawing the centre of the flower is a great way to introduce complementary colours. Its best to start with a middle tone and experiment with bright yellows and oranges to pop from the petals. To add a sense of drama, try using a white or warm grey tone to draw fine lines or some extra highlights.
Finish with class
Fiddling with the details is always a rewarding part of the process. Paint fine tiny dots to give texture to the petals or to denote pollen, whilst capturing the fine veins on the petals will make them look more realistic. Don’t forget to add the stem and leaves to the overall composition. If you don’t fancy going all out on how vivid your colours are, try a muted palette to create a soft wall portrait.
Follow your digital instincts
If modernity suits your style, try creating a drawing flower on your computer or tablet. Trace the petals, play around with the texture and layer your colours – the options are totally limitless. Try using bright, vivid colour combinations to give your flower a unique edge, or play with blurred edges for a softer appearance, and use softer shadows and highlights for an extra touch of realism.
Sometimes the best way to relax and unwind is to tap into your inner artist. Drawing can be a calming and therapeutic experience and a great way to capture the beauty of flowers. All it takes is some basic tools, a little bit of practice, and loads of patience and you’ll be impressing yourself in no time. We’ve compiled a list of must-haves and handy tricks you need to draw a flower like a pro.
Materials made simple
Artist’s supplies can seem a bit like a foreign language, but once you get the hang of it, it’s super simple. For starters, you’ll need a focus – paper or canvas, a pencil and eraser, plus a set of paints, preferably watercolours. Remember, this is your project so you’re free to play around with different textures, colouring tools and hues to create the perfect piece – whatever that may be!
Choose your subject
Your inspiration can come from anywhere – a nearby garden, your own photos or an online stock library. For beginners, it’s best to start simple and focus on just one flower. Carefully study the shape, observe the main profile, and break down the composition into simple geometrical parts to achieve an accurate drawing.
Make your paper shine
Ensure your artwork looks its best by using cold pressed watercolour paper. This thick paper will prevent your artwork from wrinkling and after-effects from the added water when painting the final masterpiece.
Does simplicity rule?
Flowers are most beautiful in their simplicity. Consider using lighter tones to draw attention to the petals and centre. Layer your wash of colours from dark (shadows) to light (highlights) to give the flower texture and dimension. Don’t be afraid to use fine lines to make intricate details – this is your canvas and it should reflect your individuality and make the overall piece more interesting and captivating.
Pulling it all together
Drawing a beautiful flower isn’t a difficult task. It’s all about taking the time you need to capture every detail, layer your hues and to let your creativity run wild. Remember, practice makes perfect so start small, keep your lines light, mix and remix your colours, and you’ll soon master the art of flower drawing.
From the sky to the sun
Start by playing around with the sky – tracing the clouds and giving the flower accents of blues and purples. Mute tones are key to achieving a subtle but effective base for the rest colours. You can either draw perfect circles for the petals or draw a series of straight lines and create wedge shapes if you want something more contemporary.
Lift and lighten
Once you’ve finished the outlines, its time to lift the painting off the page. Collect the pots of paint and use bold and vibrant hues to bring the flower to life. Carefully fill each petal with your colours starting with the darkest tone then slowly move to the lightest. Try using a fan brush for distance or a smaller brush for precision – it’s totally up to you!
All about the core
Drawing the centre of the flower is a great way to introduce complementary colours. Its best to start with a middle tone and experiment with bright yellows and oranges to pop from the petals. To add a sense of drama, try using a white or warm grey tone to draw fine lines or some extra highlights.
Finish with class
Fiddling with the details is always a rewarding part of the process. Paint fine tiny dots to give texture to the petals or to denote pollen, whilst capturing the fine veins on the petals will make them look more realistic. Don’t forget to add the stem and leaves to the overall composition. If you don’t fancy going all out on how vivid your colours are, try a muted palette to create a soft wall portrait.
Follow your digital instincts
If modernity suits your style, try creating a drawing flower on your computer or tablet. Trace the petals, play around with the texture and layer your colours – the options are totally limitless. Try using bright, vivid colour combinations to give your flower a unique edge, or play with blurred edges for a softer appearance, and use softer shadows and highlights for an extra touch of realism.
