Sunflowers are undeniably one of nature’s most stunning flowers. If you’ve ever wanted to capture the beauty of a sunflower on paper, look no further. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw a realistic sunflower using simple steps. All you need to get started is a blank sheet of paper, a pencil, and an eraser.
Step 1: Establishing the Foundation
To begin, we’ll lay down some guidelines that will make the drawing process easier. A typical sunflower has a large, round head encompassed by multiple layers of vibrant yellow petals. Start by drawing a large circle as the base of the flower. Then, within that circle, draw a smaller circle, and inside the second circle, add a third one.
Keep the lines light at this stage, as we’ll be erasing some of them later.
Step 2: Creating the First Layer of Petals
The longer petals of a sunflower, known as ray florets, are predominantly oval-shaped and encircle the center of the flower. Begin by drawing an oval-shaped petal from the second circle to the outer one. Repeat this step, adding more petals around the center. For a realistic touch, make the tips of the petals slightly pointed.
Remember, the shape and size of the petals don’t have to be identical. Vary them to achieve a natural look. Some petals can have wavy tips, others can fold forward or backward, and adding smaller-sized petals in front of the others will enhance the visual appeal.
Step 3: Adding the Outer Layer of Petals
Once the first layer of petals is complete, it’s time to add a second layer behind it. If you notice any gaps between the petals, fill them in with more petals, each in different shapes and sizes. These petals will only be partially visible, as they’ll be positioned behind the first layer.
Now, erase the outer circle that served as a guide in the earlier steps.
Step 4: Detailing the Center of the Sunflower
The center of a sunflower consists of numerous small flowers called disc florets, densely packed together. Let’s start by refining the outer circle. Lightly erase the outline of the first circle and draw smaller circles around it. Gradually increase the size of the circles as you move towards the center. Within the second circle, draw curved lines extending towards the right side. Repeat this step, drawing curved lines towards the left side, resulting in a web-like pattern. Ensure the curved lines are close to each other. Darken each small shape incrementally.
Next, draw small oval shapes along the outline of the inner circle. Make them progressively smaller towards the center, adding more detail to mimic the intricate structure of the sunflower’s center.
Step 5: Adding the Stem
Let’s shift our focus to the stem. A typical sunflower possesses a long, thick, fuzzy, and rough stem. Draw a long vertical line downward from the bottom part of the flower. Then, mirror that line with another vertical line. These two lines form the main stem. To the right and left of the main stem, add two small stems. On each of these small stems, we’ll draw a leaf.
Step 6: Sketching the Leaves
Sunflower leaves are large, broad, and either heart-shaped or ovate-shaped. Start by drawing a heart-shaped leaf facing right on the smaller stem to the right. Ensure the leaf is broader in the middle and tapers towards the tip. Repeat this step, but draw the second leaf facing downward, from the left-side smaller stem. Lastly, draw two more leaves at the bottom part of the sunflower on both sides, also facing downward.
Remember, the leaves should have a narrower shape towards the tip, broader in the middle, and converge at the bottom.
Step 7: Enhancing the Natural Look
To make the drawing appear more natural, it’s time to add some details to the petals, head of the flower, stem, and leaves. Begin by adding vein-like lines on each petal, following its form. Then, add small lines to the stem, mimicking its texture. To achieve a fuzzy look, draw fine, hair-like lines all over the stalk. Lightly erase the outlines of the leaves, and then add small spikes to the leaf edges, along with vein details.
Step 8: Introducing Tonal Values
To create a more realistic look, we need to consider the direction of the light source and add shadows accordingly. In this case, let’s assume the light source is positioned on the upper left side of the flower. Begin by adding shadows to the center of the flower. Fill in any gaps between the smaller circles and darken the outer areas.
Next, darken the areas where the long petals connect with the head, along with the vein-like lines and the right-side petals more than the left. Lastly, add shadows to the leaves and the right side of the stem using small strokes that follow their shapes.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully captured the beauty of a sunflower on paper. We hope you enjoyed this step-by-step tutorial and are delighted with your final drawing!
