With vibrant hues and elegant bracts that mimic the joyous spirit of Christmas, the poinsettia serves as a delightful muse for artists seeking to express the warmth and cheer of the holidays through their artwork.
The most distinctive feature of the poinsettia is its colorful bracts. These are specialized leaves that surround the small flowers in the center of the plant. Bracts come in various colors, with red being the most traditional (we also chose it for this drawing), but you can still find poinsettias with white, pink, orange, and even marbled bracts.
Drawing a poinsettia need not be an arduous task. In this guide, we shall break down the process into simple steps, guiding you through each phase – from embracing the appearance of bracts to adding dimension to your artwork, to ensure an enjoyable experience.
At the end of this tutorial on how to draw a poinsettia, you’ll get some hints to add your own artistic flair and personal touch, making the drawing a reflection of your creativity.
Have you prepared your materials? Let’s explore the art of poinsettia!
How to Draw a Poinsettia Flower – Step by Step Tutorial
Before approaching details, it’s essential that you pay close attention to the shape and arrangement of the bracts, observing how they embrace the central flowers.
Step 1: In this step, draw a cluster of tiny oval shapes to mimic the appearance of central flowers.
Step 2: Around the central flowers, draw the first layer of large bracts. Start with the two first ones on the top. Note that each bract should be elongated and have a pointed tip, similar to the shape of a leaf.
Step 3: Look at our reference picture to see how the first layer of bracts appears and the direction of each bract too.
Step 4: Now draw the rest bracts of that first layer. Vary their size for a natural look. You can choose to whether make them overlap.
Step 5: Below the first layer of bracts, draw the second layer. These bracts should be slightly bigger and positioned between the bracts of the first layer. Ensure they’re overlapped by the bracts above them and partially hidden.
Step 6: Similarly, draw some extra bracts for the third layer.
Step 7: Let’s add two more smaller flowers to the poinsettia drawing, keeping in mind the same technique used for the first flower.
So start with two clusters of small flowers, separately below the first big one.
Step 8: Draw the first layer of bracts for these two flowers. Each bract should be unevenly spaced to create a natural look.
Step 9: Continue adding the second layer of bracts. Again, vary the size of these bracts for a better effect.
Step 10: Well, all three blooms are done. It’s time to master the leaves. Poinsettia leaves are typically broad and elongated with a pointed tip. Plus, they have slightly serrated margins, differentiating them from the bracts.
The red stroke below is an example of how a leaf edge looks like. Take a closer look so that you can successfully nail it later.
Step 11: Now sketch the first leaf for this drawing. It’ll be connected with the bloom by a thin petiole.
Step 12: Similarly, add more leaves for each bloom. Vary their size, shape, and serrated edges to add interest. Additionally, change their position and direction too.
For example, they can be overlapping with other leaves or with the bracts; they can point either upward or downward or sideward.
Step 13: Alright, you’ve got a basic sketch of the poinsettia. What missing here is the details. Start by drawing the central vein on the bracts. Draw a straight line from its base to its tipt. This line should be in the center of the bract, following its natural shape.
Next, draw smaller lines branching out from the central vein towards the edges of the bract. These secondary veins should curve slightly as they reach the edges.
Step 14: Moving on to the leaves, the technique of adding veins is typically the same as those of bracts since they have both central veins and additional veins. However, the leaves’ secondary veins appear to be denser. So make sure you add more lines to gracefully display this feature.
Step 15: You seem to get a nice sketch of poinsettia. But there’s still a way to make it perfect – coloring.
Begin by coloring the bracts of the poinsettia. If you’re going for the traditional red, use a vibrant red color for the bracts. If you’re exploring other colors, be creative with your choices.
Apply the base coat of color evenly, using light strokes to avoid heavy lines.
Step 16: Use a darker tone of your chosen color to apply another shade of color, making the poinsettia more vibrant.
Step 17: Next, add highlights to the bracts to make them appear more three-dimensional. In the meantime, apply a green base color for the leaves.
Step 18: Then use a darker shade of green to create shadow areas. Common shadow areas are under overlapping leaves (or bracts) or towards the base of the leaf where it meets the stem.
Step 19: Lastly, add a little touch of pop-up by coloring the central flowers yellow.
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Final Step
You might be satisfied with your drawing but there’s still further practice if you want to make it a complete masterpiece.
Try adding more plants in different shades of colors. While the traditional red poinsettia is most well-known, the plant comes in other stunning hues, such as pink, white, cream, and marbled varieties.
Additionally, elevate your artwork by adding a background that complements the poinsettia. You can illustrate a winter landscape or a lush garden setting. Or else, enhance the composition by incorporating other floral elements around the poinsettia, such as holly leaves, berries, or pine cones, to create a delightful holiday-themed scene.
Throughout this creative process, don’t forget the importance of shading and coloring. Pay attention to the direction of light to make your poinsettia come alive with vibrant hues and intricate shadows.
Have you got your ideas? Then hesitate not and get your materials ready again!
