Last Updated on January 5, 2023 by Dee
Do you have an interest in learning how to draw a lily? This comprehensive step-by-step tutorial will guide you in creating a stunning lily flower drawing with ease. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll find this tutorial helpful and enjoyable.
Table of Contents
- Lily Drawing: Step by step
- Step 1: Gathering your reference material
- Step 2: Determining the size of your lily drawing
- Step 3: Composing the general shapes of the lily
- Step 4: Adding definition to the form
- Step 5: Incorporating shading
- Step 6: Enhancing shading and adding petal markings
- Step 7: Fine-tuning the details
- Step 8: Applying washes of your lightest color
- Step 9: Layering washes for darker areas
- Step 10: Adding green washes to the stems
- Step 11: Creating patterns on the petals
- Helpful tips to keep in mind while drawing
- List of materials and supplies needed to draw a beautiful Lily Flower
- Conclusion
Step 1: Collecting your reference material
Before you start drawing, it is beneficial to have a clear and high-quality reference image to work from. Websites like Unsplash.com or Pexels.com offer a vast array of beautiful photos to inspire your lily drawing.
Working from your imagination is also an option, but keep in mind that your interpretation may result in a more stylized or simplified version of the flower. If you prefer an abstract or expressive approach, drawing from your imagination can be an excellent choice.
Drawing from your own photographs provides a unique opportunity to develop original ideas and compositions. It allows you to have firsthand experience with the subject matter, giving you a better understanding of how it exists in real-life situations.
If you don’t have access to your own photographs, you can always utilize free stock photos from websites like Unsplash.com or Pexels.com. These platforms offer a wide range of reference photos that can be used to draw various subjects.
Step 2: Decide on the size of your lily drawing
To accommodate the intricate details of a lily, it is advisable to work on an A4 or A3 sheet of watercolor paper. These sizes provide enough space for you to capture the beauty of the flower accurately.
Working on a larger surface offers more flexibility and allows for the accentuation of details. Additionally, it helps to avoid limitations in depicting small elements, resulting in a more refined drawing.
Step 3: Composition and a rough drawing of the general shapes of the lily
Once you have determined the paper size, consider the composition of your drawing and sketch it out lightly with a 2B lead pencil. Starting with a small circle in the center, add curved lines to create the petals. Sketch the stem by drawing two parallel lines.
Positioning your lily flower off-center can enhance the visual interest of your artwork. When sketching the petals, remember that each petal consists of two curved lines forming its shape. Apply gentle pressure on the pencil to achieve light pencil marks.
Step 4: Defining Form
Refine the shape of the petals, stem, and leaves, making adjustments as needed to achieve accuracy. You can also exercise creative liberty by adding extra leaves, stems, or buds to enhance the composition of your artwork.
Step 5: Add shading
Consider the direction of your light source when shading your lily. Capturing the three-dimensional aspect of the flower is essential for realistic rendering. Shadows should fall opposite to the light source.
You can choose from various shading techniques such as cross-hatching, hatching, scribbling, stippling, and grading to add depth and dimension to your lily flower drawing. Experimenting with different techniques can yield captivating results.
Step 6: Continue shading and add the markings to the petals
Deepen the shading and shadows on your drawing while incorporating pattern-like spots on the petals. This will enhance the realism and intricacy of your lily flower depiction.
Step 7: Final Details
Take a close look at your drawing and adjust the shadows and highlights accordingly. Employ a kneadable eraser to lighten specific areas by removing excess pencil marks. To add an extra touch, consider applying soft washes of watercolor paint over the pencil marks for a vintage and nostalgic effect.
Step 8: Paint washes of your lightest color
Begin painting with watercolor using the wet-on-dry technique. This involves applying paint directly onto the dry surface of the paper, granting you more control over the areas you wish to color. Use light washes of rose pink to fill the petals, following their natural curves.
Step 9: Layers of washes to darker areas of the flowers
Layer additional washes on top of each other to build depth and intensify the shaded areas. Gradually add depth and dimension to the petals, creating a lifelike representation of the lily.
Step 10: Washes of green on the stems
Apply light washes of green to the stems, capturing their natural hue. This step adds vibrancy and realism to your lily flower drawing.
Step 11: Final Patterns onto Petals
Using Alizarin Crimson paint, carefully add small dashes and dots of color to the petals. Gently wash over them to create a soft and delicate pattern that enhances the visual appeal of the lily.
Remember the following when drawing…
Throughout the drawing process, take breaks to observe your composition from a distance. This will allow you to assess the overall development of your drawing accurately. Additionally, keeping your pencil sharp enables precise lines and intricate details. Having scrap paper nearby is helpful for testing shapes and shading techniques.
List of materials and supplies needed to draw a beautiful Lily Flower
To create a lily flower drawing, you will need the following materials:
- 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B Pencils
- Kneadable Eraser
- Scrap piece of paper for testing colors
- 300gsm Watercolor Paper for drawing
- Soft Bristle Round or Filbert Brush
- Watercolor pans or tubes (such as Windsor and Newton Watercolor Pan)
Conclusion
Drawing a beautiful lily flower is an achievable endeavor when armed with the right guidance. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you can create your own stunning lily flower drawing. Once you master this technique, consider exploring different flowers and leaves to expand your floral sketching repertoire. Embrace the process and enjoy the journey!
Other drawing tutorials you may find inspiring:
- Exquisite Rose Drawing | 3 Easy Step-by-Step Tutorials
- 25 Fabulous Flower Templates | FREE Printables for Your Creative Projects.
- Flower Crown Drawing | How to Draw a Delicate Flower Crown in 12 Steps
- How to Do a Realistic Sunflower Pencil Drawing
- 59 Aesthetic Things to Draw: Art Ideas for Creative Minds
- 136 Drawing Ideas for Adults | Unleash Your Creativity
- How to Draw a Mushroom in 15 Easy Steps
- How to Draw a Mermaid Tail in 15 Easy Steps
Remember, practice and experimentation are key to improving your drawing skills. Enjoy the creative process, and have fun expressing yourself through art!
