Flowers have the power to bring joy, solace, and comfort to so many, and if you want to create your own bouquet of beauty right at home, learning how to draw flowers is a great place to start. With a bit of practice, you can become a master of flower illustration and create something that could be framed and hung as wall art or make a thoughtful, personal gift! Here’s how to make that happen!
Gather Your Supplies
Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure you have the necessary supplies. Pencils are one of the most basic tools for illustrators and are likely to become a staple of your flower-drawing arsenal. Graphite pencils become darker when pressed harder, allowing you to create depth and dimension in your drawing. You’ll also want to get art paper, tracing paper, and erasers.
Choose a Subject
Choose a single flower to draw. Look for one that has unique characteristics and colors to really make your drawing stand out. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to break your drawing up into smaller parts. That will make it easier to draw the flower, so you don’t feel too intimidated.
Observe Your Subject Carefully
Observe the flower closely. Notice how many petals it has and the direction they’re pointed in. Take note of the colors and if there is any fur or hairs covering the petals. Take in the shape of the stems and remember the various leaves and branches.
Bring it to Life!
Now it’s time to get to drawing! Begin by lightly sketching the flower’s outline focusing on the shape and form. Don’t be too concerned about minor details like veins in the petals. Using your pencils, begin adding in the colors until you have the desired color palette. You should be able to easily accomplish this with either colored or graphite pencils depending on your preference.
Take it to the Next Level
Opt for shadows and highlights to create more depth in your drawing. Make sure to stick to a consistent light source. To achieve this, add shadows in one direction and highlights in the opposite. Pay attention to the reflection of the petals as this will give your flower dimension. Finish your masterpiece with minor details like stamens, antenna, and spores. When you’re finished, erase any stray pencil lines to give the drawing a more polished look.
Practice!
The key to perfecting flower drawing is practice! The more you draw, the more natural and effortless it will become. You may also want to practice drawing various species of flowers, as each variety has a different arrangement of petals, colors, and texture. With a bit of dedication and creativity, you’ll be drawing magnificent floral masterpieces in no time!
