How to Draw a Poinsettia Easy
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw a poinsettia, look no further! Drawing a stunning and realistic poinsettia couldn’t be easier when you follow the simple instructions in this guide. When you’ve finished, you’ll have a stunning seasonal addition to your artwork, perfect for gifting to friends and family.
Before you start, it’s wise to gather the right tools. All you need are a few basics to create your beautiful poinsettia: paper, pencils in various weights, eraser and some colored pencils. Then, you’re ready to start!
The first step is to create an outline of the petals. Start with the base point, then draw five petals on each side of the center. For a big and bold poinsettia, make sure the petals all have rounded tips. If a more detailed poinsettia is more your style, step it up with slightly pointed tips.
Once you have the base of your petals outlined, it’s time to give them texture. This is where the pencil weights come in. With a variety of pencils, you can add depth to your flower petals. Use a light hand and small and medium-weight lines to highlight, create shadows and shape the edges of each petal.
Now to give your poinsettia that classic Christmas hue—red! Get out those colored pencils and carefully color in the petals. To create a realistic poinsettia, don’t cover the entire width in straight strokes. Instead, shade in random sections, or draw thin lines or furrows at the center.
How to Draw a Poinsettia’s Leaves
With the petals down, it’s time to move onto the leaves. Outline several skinny, pointed leaves from the center of the poinsettia and draw them outward towards the edges of your petals. With a few curves and lines, you can make each leaf look realistic.
To add depth to the leaves, use the pencil weights again. From thin and light lines to thick, dark accents, you can give each leaf distinct characteristics. Take your time and take advantage of a few eraser touches along the way.
To make the leaves pop off the page, now’s your chance to grab those colored pencils one more time. With the leaves outlined, you can easily and quickly color them in. You can go for a classic white and green look, or add a little pizzazz with a few red accents!
How to Draw a Poinsettia’s Berries
For that extra bit of sparkle and energy, add in some poinsettia berries. These little red dots add a festive touch, giving your poinsettia a warm seasonal feel. Start by outlining tiny circles around the center, making sure there is enough space for the berries but that each is still part of the overall look.
With the outlines done, color in each berry with one swift stroke. For some extra dimension, use a lighter shade of red at the center and a darker shade at the edges. Then quickly connect the berries with thin lines that circle the center of the poinsettia, creating that classic poinsettia effect.
How to Draw a Poinsettia’s Background
Once you’ve finished your poinsettia, you can give it a stunning backdrop to make it really stand out. To do this, sketch out a few mountains and trees, use light and dark pencils for texture, then give it a light wash of watercolors for an ethereal effect.
Vary the depths of each mountain and each tree’s leaves, then add vibrant color to the overall scene. When you step back and look, you’ll be amazed how everything comes together—poinsettia, flora and fauna—into one harmonious, beautiful winter dreamscape!
How to Draw a Poinsettia’s Coloring In
To finish off your poinsettia illustration, it’s time to grab the color pencils. Carefully color in each petal and leaf. For a more dazzling look, use gradients and ombre shading, starting off with lighter tones at the center of each petal and leaf, then gradually tapering off to a warmer hue.
Now, use your darkest shade and go to town with a few dramatic shades of deep red, giving the petals a more realistic finish. With each stroke, take time to observe how the petals and leaves gently intertwine, giving the poinsettia a gentle, romantic feel.
Finally, add another few finishing touches like highlights and shadows. With a few strokes here and there, any lack of depth and realism can easily disappear. Have fun with this, as no two poinsettias are the same—let your creative spirit soar!
