Sunflowers are not only beautiful but also one of the most well-known flowers in the world. Throughout history, artists have incorporated sunflowers into their paintings, symbolizing the sun itself. Vincent van Gogh’s famous “Sunflowers” series along with works by Claude Monet and Edvard Munch are some notable examples. Today, people continue to use sunflowers for decorations and artistic inspirations.
In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to draw a realistic sunflower using graphite pencils. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this step-by-step guide will help you create a stunning sunflower drawing.
Materials Needed
To get started, gather the following materials:
- A piece of paper
- A 2H graphite pencil
- A 2B graphite pencil
- A 6B graphite pencil
- A blending stump
- A precision eraser
- A compass or circular tool
And this is the sunflower you’ll be drawing:
Section 1: How to Draw a Sunflower
Before diving into drawing the side profile, let’s review the head proportions. The proportions remain the same, but it may be challenging to translate the front view proportions onto the side view of the head. Follow the steps in this section to ensure accuracy.
Step 1: Draw a Line
Using the 2H pencil, draw a straight line representing the stem of the sunflower. Leave enough space above the line for the flower itself.
Step 2: Draw a Circle
Using a compass or circular tool, draw a circle to represent the center of the sunflower. Keep in mind that the center should be larger than the petals, so don’t leave too much space between the stem and the circle.
Step 3: Draw Another Circle
With the 2H pencil, draw another circle around the center. This circle will serve as a guideline for the size of the petals. Apply minimal pressure while drawing this line, as it will be erased later.
Step 4: Draw 4 Petals
Draw four petals on the top, bottom, and sides of the circle. Make sure to vary the sizes and angles of the petals to create a realistic effect.
Step 5: Draw Lines Around the Middle Circle
Add 4 to 5 lines around the middle circle. While sunflowers don’t have a fixed number of petals, four to five is a good approximation. Drawing these lines will ensure the petals are evenly positioned.
Step 6: Draw the Petals
Continue drawing the rest of the sunflower petals. Overlap some petals, make some closer together, and tilt others. Remember, petals are irregular in shape, so be creative and vary their sizes.
Step 7: Draw the Second Row of Petals
Now, draw the visible part of the second row of petals in the spaces behind the first row. These petals should be smaller and partially hidden.
Step 8: Draw the Stem
Complete the stem by drawing a second line parallel to the initial one. Sunflower stems are thick and firm, so make sure to convey this in your drawing.
Step 9: Mark the Leaves’ Positions
Indicate the positions of the leaves by drawing small lines. Sunflower leaves are relatively large, so leave enough space between each line.
Step 10: Draw the Upper Leaves
Draw the leaves around the flower. These leaves are smaller and thinner compared to the ones near the stem.
Step 11: Draw the Lower Leaves
Depict the lower leaves, which are older and more prominent due to the effects of gravity. Emphasize their natural shape and position.
Step 12: Mark the Center of the Sunflower
Using the 6B pencil, lightly create cloud-like traces to outline the border of the sunflower’s center. Make sure the pencil tip is dull for a better effect.
Step 13: Add Some Details
Sunflowers have a distinct color difference in the center. Add cloud-like shapes in a circle to represent this color variation.
Section 2: How to Shade a Sunflower
Step 14: Shade the Center
Fill the area between the cloud-like shapes with small circular movements using the 6B pencil. For a better effect, make sure to flatten your pencil tip with a file or sandpaper.
Step 15: Blend
Use the blending stump to blend some graphite from the center of the sunflower towards the petals. This will create the first layer of shading for your drawing.
Step 16: Shade the Petals
Repeat the previous step, but this time use the blending stump to draw lines that mimic the folds of the petals. Use the mono-zero eraser to remove some graphite from the edges for highlights.
Step 17: Repeat
Apply the same shading technique to the second row of petals. Add another layer of shading to the inner part of these petals to indicate reduced sunlight exposure.
Step 18: Shade the Stem
Darken one side of the stem more than the other to add depth. Use your blending stump to pull some “hairs” from the stem outward. Consider the direction of light while shading.
Step 19: Start Shading the Leaves
Use the 2B and 6B pencils, along with the blending stump, to shade the leaves. Pay attention to the direction of light, folds in the leaves, and areas of projected shadows.
Step 20: Fill the Middle Area
Darken the very center of the sunflower using the 6B pencil with a flat tip. Build up a couple of layers of graphite and apply enough pressure to create a dark mark.
Step 21: Draw the Veins
Use your precision eraser to draw vein-like lines on each leaf. Then, with the 2B pencil, add a slight shadow next to the marks to create an engraved effect.
Step 22: Darken the Center
Using the 6B pencil with a flat tip, draw thick lines from the center of the flower towards the middle of each petal. This will add contrast to the sunflower and make it stand out.
And there you have it! You’ve successfully completed the sunflower drawing. We hope you enjoyed following this tutorial and gained valuable insights into drawing and shading techniques. Remember, attention to detail is crucial when capturing the essence of flowers in your artwork. Stay creative and keep practicing. Until next time!
