How to Draw a Sunflower
Even the most inexperienced artist will be able to learn how to draw a sunflower, and in this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll prove it to you.
How to Draw a Sunflower: Introduction
Everyone knows what a sunflower looks like, but not everyone knows how to draw one. To fix this, I have put together several different tutorials to teach you how to draw a sunflower in a simple yet easily recognizable way.
In this article, I will demonstrate a very straightforward drawing method using basic lines and minimal details. We will simplify the already simple shape of a sunflower while ensuring that the final drawing does not look overly basic.
To help reinforce your skills, I have included several additional sunflower drawing lessons alongside the main tutorial. Each of these lessons varies in difficulty and approach, providing distinct ways to draw a recognizable sunflower. While the steps may differ, the final results will always demonstrate the recognizable look of this beautiful flower.
Beyond just drawing a sunflower, this lesson is particularly useful for practicing symmetry and circular shapes, as we will be sketching a circle surrounded by a repeating pattern of petals. Mastering this skill is valuable for any artist, as it helps improve precision and control when drawing symmetrical objects.
Sunflower Drawing Tutorial
Materials
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Coloring supplies
Time needed: 25 minutes
How to Draw a Sunflower
- Draw the center of the sunflower.
To begin learning how to draw a sunflower, start by sketching a small circle in the middle of your paper. This circle represents the sunflower’s central disk, where the seeds are located. Try to make the shape as round as possible. You can use light pencil strokes so that any adjustments can be easily erased later.
- Outline the petal guide.
Now that you have the sunflower’s center, the next step is to create an outer circle around it. This second circle will serve as a guide for drawing the sunflower’s petals. The distance between the inner and outer circles determines the length of the petals, so try to space them proportionally.
- Add petal dividing lines.
Before drawing individual petals, divide the space between the inner and outer circles with evenly spaced lines radiating outward. These lines act as guides to help position the sunflower’s petals in a symmetrical manner. The more lines you add, the more detailed the sunflower’s petal arrangement will be.
- Draw the first layer of petals.
Using the guidelines from the previous step, start drawing the first layer of petals around the sunflower’s center. Each petal should be slightly pointed or rounded at the tip, resembling the natural shape of a sunflower petal. Keep the petals equal in shape and size.
- Add the second layer of petals.
To make the sunflower drawing look more detailed and full, add a second layer of petals behind the first. These new petals should be drawn in the gaps between the petals from the previous step. You can slightly vary the shape of each petal to prevent the drawing from looking too uniform.
- Draw the sunflower stem.
Extend two parallel vertical lines downward from the base of the flower. These lines should be slightly curved rather than perfectly straight, mimicking the the sunflower’s flexible stem. If you’re following this tutorial on how to draw a sunflower with realism in mind, add small, fine lines along the stem to illustrate texture.
- Add leaves to the stem.
Draw two large leaves attached to the stem, one on each side. Each leaf should have a slightly curved shape, with a pointed tip and a wide base where it connects to the stem. Sunflower leaves often have noticeable veins, so you can lightly sketch a central vein running through each leaf.
- Finalize the outline.
Go over the lines of the petals, center, stem, and leaves, making them bolder and smoother where necessary. Erase any remaining guidelines, especially the extra construction circles and petal-dividing lines from earlier steps. If any petals or leaves need adjusting, now is the time to make those changes.
- Color your sunflower.
Use yellow for the petals, giving this part a bright and warm look, just like in real sunflowers. The second layer of petals can be colored orange. The center of the sunflower should be colored brown, as it represents the seed-filled disk. The stem and leaves should be green.
How to Draw a Sunflower: Alternative Methods
Simple Sunflower Drawing Tutorial
This method of drawing a simple sunflower is noticeably more basic, using fewer guidelines and a more straightforward approach to forming the petals. Unlike the first tutorial, which focuses on structured layers and symmetry, this version builds the flower progressively by adding petals in small sections. The petals are less uniform, giving the sunflower a more natural appearance.
To draw a simple sunflower, start by sketching a small circle for the center. Add five evenly spaced petals around the upper half. Draw four more petals on the lower half, keeping them similar in size and shape. Continue by filling the gaps between the existing petals with additional ones, giving the sunflower a fuller look. Ensure that the petals overlap slightly for a more natural effect.
Once the flower head is complete, draw a single slightly curved stem extending downward. Attach two simple leaves, one on each side of the stem. Go over the lines, correcting any inconsistencies, and erase unnecessary marks. Finally, color the sunflower with a yellow hue for the petals, brown for the center, and green for the stem and leaves. The simple sunflower drawing is complete.
Alternative Sunflower Drawing Tutorial
This method of drawing a sunflower demonstrates a different, alternative approach. Unlike the first tutorial, which uses fewer guidelines, and the second, which simplifies the petal layout, this version builds the sunflower with concentric circles and layered petals to create a more complex and realistic effect. The center is more detailed with an additional inner ring and seed-like dots.
To draw a sunflower, start with a large, slightly irregular outer circle. Inside it, draw a smaller circle for the center, followed by an even smaller one inside it. Add evenly spaced petals around the center, making sure they follow the circular shape. Draw a second layer of petals between the first ones to add realism. Refine the petal shapes, ensuring they are pointed and slightly curved.
Extend a straight stem downward from the base. Add one leaf with visible veins. Inside the sunflower’s center, draw a ring of small dots to represent seeds. Erase unnecessary construction lines and make the final outlines bold. Color the petals yellow, the center brown with a darker ring, the stem green, and the leaf green with slight shading. The alternative sunflower drawing is complete.
Conclusion
As you can see, a sunflower can be drawn using different methods, each leading to a similar final result. Whether you follow a detailed approach with construction lines or a more simplified style, it is important to remember the basics. When drawing a sunflower, always keep proportion and symmetry in mind. The petals should be evenly spaced and not crooked or unbalanced, as this will affect the overall appearance of the flower.
After completing your sunflower drawing, consider refining it further. You can add shadows and highlights to make it look more dimensional and visually appealing. Or try to train your flowers sketching skills, and draw a rose. If you found this lesson simple, let me know in the comments. If you think it was too difficult, share your thoughts as well. Your feedback helps improve future tutorials. Finally, if you enjoyed this lesson, share it with friends who might also want to learn how to draw a sunflower and follow me on social media for more tutorials.
