Drawing a tamale may seem intimidating and tricky, but it’s actually a lot easier than you’d think! After a few practice runs and with the help of a few step-by-step guides, you’ll be able to draw a tamale that looks like it deserves to be served as the main dish on any Mexican restaurant menu. With some patience and a few art supplies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a tamale artist who isn’t afraid to let the masa fly.
Step 1: Choose Your Size
Before you start drawing, you need to decide how big you want your tamale to be. Is your tamale going to be a single-serving or a massive jumbo tamale? Will it be hand-held or will it require a fork and knife? This will help you determine how much masa, meat, and filling you’ll need to fill your tamale. It will also help you draw a proportional tamale size on the paper or canvas.
Step 2: Draw The Corn Husk
The corn husk is the vessel that will hold your tamale together. Without it, your tamale will be little more than a pile of unleavened dough. Using a pencil and a ruler, draw a thin segmental line. It should look like a side view of a corn husk. This line marks the base of your tamale and serves as the foundation for the rest of the drawing.
Step 3: Get Creative With Fillings And Toppings
Tamales come in a variety of flavors and are filled with all sorts of delicious ingredients. You can get creative with your tamale by adding fillings and toppings that represent the flavors you’re trying to achieve. For a scrumptious taco tamale, consider adding a savory beef filling with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top. Or for a heart-warming sweet tamale, mix some raisins, cinnamon, and sugar together with a dollop of whipped cream.
Step 4: Outline The Tamale
Now that you’ve got the base of your tamale and the fillings and toppings you want, it’s time to draw the outline of the tamale. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw a gentle arc that follows your initial corn husk line and marks the edges of your tamale. Don’t be afraid to be creative with your curves and shapes. Feel free to make your tamale as fat or as skinny as you want.
Step 5: Shade It In
Once you’ve created the outline of your tamale, you’re ready to begin adding some shading and texture. Use an artist’s pencil or charcoal to fill in the outline with light and dark areas. You’ll want to make sure that your lightest areas represent the corn husk and your darkest areas represent the filling. With some practice, you’ll be able to draw a tamale that looks good enough to eat.
