Today, we’ll introduce to you a magical flower that has captivated hearts and inspired artists for centuries – the petunia. Imagine a flower that comes in many colors, like a rainbow brought to life. From deep purple to bright orange, petunias are a painter’s dream, ready to be transformed into a work of art.
What impresses us about petunias is that they have a shape that is truly their own. Their petals are like trumpets, singing a song of nature’s beauty. These petals can be smooth or have soft frills, adding a touch of fancy flair.
When you draw a petunia, it’s essential to look closely at all the details, from colorful petals to the deep throat where petals meet to its refreshing foliage. And don’t forget about the light and shadow – it’s the key that makes the flower glow and realistic all the time.
So, if you’re ready to embark on an artistic adventure, grab your pencils and paper. Our tutorial on how to draw a petunia is always ready for you to explore
How to Draw a Petunia Flower – Step by Step Tutorial
Firstly, have a look at our sketch below. We’re drawing three different blooms, in different sizes and side views. Consider their positions and we’ll lead you to the first step of this petunia drawing tutorial.
Step 1: Start with the first petunia bloom – the face-to-face one in the sketch. Draw a cluster of small circles or ovals, varying in size, in the center of the flower. They will represent the stigmas of petunia.
Step 2: Next, draw ten curved lines radiating outwards from the center to mimic the flower rays. Mark that they are separated into a 5-5 set (as shown in the sketch) and make sure they are evenly spaced.
Step 3: Use the rays as the frame, start drawing petals. That you need to connect the tip of two continuous short rays to the longer one which is located between them, forming the petal outer edges. These edges can be slightly wavy or fringed for added detail and realism.
Step 4: Similarly, finish the rest combinations to create a petunia with five delicate petals as it appears in nature.
Step 5: Now, moving to the second bloom. The process is quite the same. You’ll start with the stigmas then turn to the rays and end with petals.
But keep in mind that the petals will appear larger on one side and smaller on the other due to the angled perspective. Plus, some petals will be partially hidden by the previous bloom.
What you need to do is change the shape and direction of the petunia rays. They tend to bend more and are unevenly spaced. Refer to our picture for an easy guide to nail this part.
Step 6: Connect the rays with wavy lines and you’ve got the second bloom.
Step 7: For the last flower, it might be a bit tricky but the result is a vibrant bloom that’ll elevate your drawing.
This time, the stigmas are almost hidden so we’re not drawing them. Besides, the rays will radiate differently (refer to the picture).
Step 8: Gently connect the rays to form petals.
Step 9: Then add an extra curved line extending below the petals to create a visible part of the throat.
Step 10: This step is for details. Add a bit of texture to the petals by drawing subtle vein lines that extend from the throat towards the petal edges. These veins can be gently curved and vary in length.
Step 11: We’ve just finished the bloom sketch. How’s your drawing so far? Once you’ve done that, let’s move to the foliage.
It’s good to know that petunia leaves typically grow in pairs, positioned beneath the blooms. So draw each pair of them in different positions for a dynamic effect.
Use curved lines to create elongated ovals that are slightly pointed at the tip to form the leaves. Then add the main vein running in the middle of each leaf for a natural look.
Step 12: Now, it’s time to turn the simple sketch of petunia into a colorful display. Begin with a bright yellow color for the stigmas.
Step 13: Since petunia comes in a wide range of colors, you have endless options for the petals. Here we choose a different color for each bloom to create a cheery drawing.
Pick the colors you want and lightly shade the entire petunia bloom. Remember to apply the color evenly across the petals.
Step 14: Next, shading is perfect for creating depth and making the flowers more realistic. You can nail this by layering a darker shade of the same hue over the central areas (where the throat is located) and along the rays.
Step 15: Similarly, let’s shadow the second flower. After that, use a pale tone of your chosen color to highlight some parts of the petals.
Step 16: And we’ll do the same with the last bloom, using another color. Remember to shade the throat too.
Step 17: Well, we’re starting to color the leaves from this step. Like the way you’ve colored the blooms, let’s apply a green base for all pairs of leaves.
Step 18: For those areas that tend to be less illuminated, a layer of darker green will help create volume and depth.
And those areas that catch the light – usually at the tips or where the leaves bend upward, a lighter shade of green (or even a pale yellow) will make the leaves appear more realistic.
Final Step
Congratulations on completing this tutorial! You now know how to draw a beautiful petunia flower, with just simple strokes and coloring techniques.
Remember not to rush when you’re drawing petunias. Take your time to sketch the basic shapes and then add the details slowly. This will help you to create a more accurate and realistic drawing.
Following our tutorial is good, but developing your drawing beyond it is much better. Here we’re encouraging you to draw as many petunias as you can. Try other varieties with a bit of difference in shape and color. For example, many petunia flowers exhibit combinations of colors, with petals displaying two or more shades. And these variations can create striking visual effects.
It’s also a good idea to incorporate your drawing into a simple background or a more complicated landscape. Or else, a bouquet of multiple petunia blooms truly tells a story.
More importantly, relax, take your time, and enjoy the process of creating beautiful drawings of these lovely flowers.
