With their fleshy leaves, vibrant colors, and water-storing adaptations, succulents have become an inspiring source of art for decades. If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the beauty of these remarkable plants and want to bring them to life on paper, you’ve come to the right spot.
In this tutorial on how to draw a succulent, we will explore the special characteristics that make these plants so fascinating and delve into a simple yet detailed step-by-step process to create your own stunning succulent artwork.
Along the way, we’ll provide useful tips and notices to keep in mind, from sketching every detail to the process of adding highlights and shadows.
Before we begin, find a comfortable space, gather your drawing materials – whether traditional pencil and paper or digital tools – and immerse yourself in the beauty of succulents.
Let’s get started!
How to Draw Succulents – Step by Step Tutorial
Step 1: Start by drawing two ovals on your paper. These ovals will serve as the basic shape for the two succulents.
Inside each oval, draw a cluster of small ovals or more irregular ones to represent the center of the succulents. Since the succulents we’re drawing show up in different angles, the shape and positions of details will differ a bit. But basically, you need to draw one shape in the middle then add four more ones overlapping around it (as shown in the picture).
Step 2: Continue adding lumpy, petal-like shapes (refer to our picture for a clear example). These shapes should radiate outward from the center, resembling the leaves or rosettes of a succulent.
Step 3: Draw another layer of petals. The petals should overlap slightly with the previous ones, creating a dense and full appearance.
Step 4: Keep adding more layers of lumpy petals around the center, gradually expanding outward. As you move outward, the petals can become slightly larger, but maintain the general shape of the succulent’s leaves.
Step 5: Moving on to the stem, sketch its outline for each succulent. It includes one main stem and additional branches. You can choose whether to place them above, below, or across behind the succulent head for a vibrant look.
Step 6: From the outline, use slightly curved lines to form a complete appearance for the stem and branches.
Step 7: Now, extend some leaves along the stem and branches you drew earlier. Succulent leaves are usually thick and fleshy, so draw small, curved shapes to form their appearance. Plus, they should follow the curve of the branches and overlap them slightly to create a natural appearance.
Step 8: Add more leaves below the succulent head or at the end of the stem. Vary their size and shape to create a more organic and realistic look.
Step 9: Well, you’ve just finished a half soul of this succulent drawing. It’s time for displaying colors.
Begin with the petals first. Depending on the species or your imagination, you can use shades of green, blue, purple, red, or any other colors you prefer. Here we choose a different green hue for each succulent head and apply a base coat first.
Step 10: A combination of different colors is popular in succulents. So why not add this alluring feature to this drawing? Purple might be a perfect choice.
To conquer it, layer a thin and even coat of purple on top of the green, leaving some areas of green visible to add depth and variation.
Step 11: To make it a little pop, color the tip of the petals red or orange.
Step 12: Don’t forget to use a light stroke to add highlights to the petals. You’ll be surprised by how this small touch makes the succulent glossy in a flash.
Step 13: Next comes the stem coloring. A bright green hue is a good choice to mimic its natural appearance. Use this shade for the big leaves too.
Step 14: Smaller leaves on the stem will be colored a bit darker green hue to add interest.
Step 15: To put an end to this coloring process, blend a light shade of red to the two clusters of big leaves. It should be darker on the tip and gradually softer towards the bottom.
Instructional Video
Final Step
Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the tutorial on how to draw a succulent. Now that you’ve mastered this foundation, it’s time to let your imagination flourish.
Feel free to expand your succulent garden by adding more plants to the composition. Imagine delicate clusters of petals in different colors bursting forth from the centers of the succulents, filling the artwork with charm and elegance.
Introducing whimsical elements into your drawing is ideal for creating a magical scene. Perhaps a tiny butterfly perched on a leaf or a ladybug exploring the succulent’s petals.
Give your succulents a captivating setting with a carefully crafted background. A sandy landscape, a peaceful garden backdrop, and a simple pattern are just some potential ideas.
Embrace the joy of drawing and sharing your succulent artwork with the world. Let your creation inspire others and spark curiosity about the marvelous world of this resilient plant.
