How to Draw 5 Petal Flowers - Painting & Drawing Tips

Practice, Practice Practice.  Practice makes you Perfect!!  

You have heard that before and you know it is true.  But really . . . . .

PRACTICE  can be BORING!!

A Flower Cluster - Fun little Doodles 

As many of you know, I broke my right ankle at Christmas time and so I have spent ALOT of time sitting around.  With my foot up.  Looking for something to do.  TV and Books can only do so much. 

My LifeSaver has been my Sketchbook.  

I found a few fun things to do that were also great at Practicing my Mark Making.  They weren't all pencil and pen based, but as you can guess, many of them were.  I think it is because it was winter and things can be gray and rainy here, that I turned to flowers.  There were few around as reference, so I started experimenting with my own designs.  

Let me share with you what I found out. 

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*** Further discussion can be found on my YouTube video: How to Draw 5 Petal Flowers 

*** Not too late to Join Myself & Photographer Aman Bakshi for "Artful Applications Workshop - Ideas and Visuals for Social Media, CVs Bios & Statement's" March 1, Surrey.   See below for more Info.  

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You need only a pencil, erasers (vinyl & kneaded), .05 Micron Pigma Permanent Pen and a sketchbook.  

The Basic Front Facing 5 Petal Flower: 

This is no place for a Perfect Circle

Work lightly with a pencil.  

Draw a circle, 1 3/4 inches in diameter.  (Don't be fussy about the circle, it is better if it is not perfect.  Flowers are not perfect).  Draw a center, about 1/4 inch in diameter. Mark off 5 Notches, evenly spaced around the center circle. (Don't be too fussy with this either.) 

The Ruffles on the outside edge of the petals adds lots of life to the Flower

Now your Ready to draw the petals:

Start at the center on one of your notches (Notch #1) , loosely draw a triangular shape with rounded corners that goes out to the edge of the big circle.  Go along the outside circle then turn back to the center to the 2nd Notch.  I usually do the first 2 petals in pencil to get the feel of my flower and then move to pen.  Be sure and put a bit of a ripple in your petal as you go along the outer circle. 

The second petal starts as Notch #2 goes up the same line as the first.  Then rounds the corner and heads along the outside circle edge and then back to the center to arrive at Notch #3.  

Turn your book, repeat the steps to draw the other petals.  Don't worry if the petals are not exactly the same.  Remember, flowers are not perfect.  

It's the Little Things that bring your Flower Alive!

Add the details: 

Squiggle a few lines around the edge of the center, so it stands out.  Tiny overlapping circles is a nice way to finish it on the inside.  

Then 3 little lines from the center out into each petal.  The lines should start dark and become liner and thinner as you move out.  Different lengths.  Going only part way up the petal. These lines are directional lines that give the feel of the petal shape.  

Shadow the ruffles on the outside edge of the petals with a few little lines. 

5 Variations that Make all the difference: 

Draw the Petals so there is a small Space between 

1.  Change the space between the Petals

Draw the same 2 circles with the Notches. Now draw petals that start and end between the Notches so there is a bit of space between the sides of the petals.

 These little Baby Flowers add lots to any Cluster 

2.  Make Tiny Flowers 

Draw the 2 circles quite small.  Tiny center with 5 little petals. Darken the center

These are just plain fun to Draw

3. Make the Center's Large

Draw the 2 circles with the center one quite big and fat.  The petals are now small as they stretch around the center.  

These can be drawn to face any direction

4. Face the Flowers in different directions
Now the center circle is more of an flatten oval and not in the center of the bigger circle.  

Lively and Loose!! 

5.  Hold Your Pen straight up at the bottom

No Pencil first. With wrist and arm away from support, draw with a continuous line.  Start with a small center and draw your petals.  Let the friction of pen to paper rule your movements. 

Lots of Fun, eh!?  Try your own variations.  Cluster them. Add your own touches.  

Next post - Let's Look at Leaves!!  

*** Further discussion can be found on my YouTube video: How to Draw 5 Petal Flowers 

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All inclusive 4 Day Outdoor Sketching Art Retreat,  June 21-24, 2024

Outdoor Sketching 2.5hr Classes this summer 2024 - July & Aug. Date to be Determined

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Have a great Artful Day,

  

Wendy