Draw Like an Artist 100 Flowers And Plants 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 1 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 1 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 11 © 2019 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. Illustrations and text © 2019 Melissa Washburn First Published in 2019 by Quarry Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 265-D, Beverly, MA 01915, USA. T (978) 282-9590 F (978) 283-2742 QuartoKnows.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. 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MELISSA WASHBURN Illustration: Melissa Washburn Printed in China 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 2 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 2 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 22 Draw Like an Artist 100 Flowers and Plants Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers MELISSA WASHBURN 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 3 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 3 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 33 CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................6 How to Use This Book .................................7 Tips for Better Line Control ......................8 SECTION 1: FLOWERS AND FLOWERING PLANTS Daisy .....................................................................11 Black-eyed Susan .........................................12 Coneflower (Echinacea) ...........................13 Coreopsis .........................................................14 Tulip ....................................................................15 Crocus ................................................................16 Daffodil ..............................................................17 Buttercup .........................................................18 Pansy ..................................................................19 Peace Lily ........................................................20 Daylily ................................................................21 Sunflower ........................................................22 Dahlia ................................................................23 Chrysanthemum ..........................................24 Marigold ...........................................................25 Dandelion ........................................................26 Anemone .........................................................27 Aster ..................................................................28 Rose ...................................................................29 S Hibiscus ............................................................30 T N Lavender ...........................................................31 A L Poppy ................................................................32 P Apple Blossom .............................................33 D N Cherry Blossom ............................................34 A Lotus ..................................................................35 S R Protea................................................................36 E W Geranium .........................................................37 O Morning Glory ...............................................38 L F Horse Nettle ...................................................39 0 Thistle ...............................................................40 0 1 Bluebell..............................................................41 T: S Strawberry ......................................................42 TI R Wax Plant ........................................................43 A Clover ................................................................44 N African Violet ................................................45 A E Plumeria ...........................................................46 K LI Wild Rose ........................................................47 W Iris .......................................................................48 A Lilac ....................................................................49 R D 4 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 4 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 4 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 44 Peony ................................................................50 Peacock Plant ...............................................89 Orchid ................................................................51 Fig .......................................................................90 Gladiolus ..........................................................52 Rubber Plant...................................................91 Hollyhock ........................................................53 Bromeliad ........................................................92 Clematis ...........................................................54 Zebra Grass ....................................................93 Maypop (Passionflower) ..........................55 Bluestem ..........................................................94 Honeysuckle...................................................56 Dune Grass .....................................................95 Bleeding Heart ..............................................57 Bamboo ...........................................................96 Snapdragon ...................................................58 Chive ..................................................................97 Sweet Pea .......................................................59 Parsley ..............................................................98 Wisteria ............................................................60 Mint ....................................................................99 Coriander ......................................................100 Raspberry ......................................................101 SECTION 2: VINES, Tomato ...........................................................102 LEAVES, AND TREES Squash ............................................................103 Birch....................................................................61 Yucca ...............................................................104 Ginkgo ..............................................................62 Hosta ...............................................................105 Redbud .............................................................63 Rhododendron ...........................................106 Ash .....................................................................64 Milkweed ........................................................107 Walnut ..............................................................65 Palm .................................................................108 Willow ...............................................................66 Fern ..................................................................109 Maple .................................................................67 Chinese Lantern ..........................................110 Japanese Maple ...........................................68 White Oak .......................................................69 Mulberry ...........................................................70 About the Author.........................................111 Sassafras ...........................................................71 Acknowledgments .......................................111 English Ivy .......................................................72 Virginia Creeper ...........................................73 Trumpet Vine .................................................74 Dogwood ........................................................75 Magnolia ..........................................................76 Tulip Tree .........................................................77 Juniper ..............................................................78 Pine Cone ........................................................79 Pussy Willow .................................................80 SECTION 3: OTHER PLANTS Aloe .....................................................................81 Jade Plant .......................................................82 Echeveria Succulent ..................................83 Sedum ...............................................................84 Zebra Haworthia ..........................................85 Christmas Cactus ........................................86 Prickly Pear ....................................................87 Philodendron .................................................88 5 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 5 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 5 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 55 INTRODUCTION My fascination with the natural world started to the tip of the leaf. The veins are generally in my childhood in the Adirondack region of either slightly lighter or slightly darker than the upstate New York. I’ve always needed to know leaf itself. the name, characteristics, and life cycle of the I’ve organized the exercises in this book plants, insects, birds, and animals around me, not by scientific classification but rather by the so it seemed natural (no pun intended) that more commonly recognized types and shapes these subjects would become a major theme of my work as an artist and illustrator. that a general audience will be familiar with. The best teacher for drawing plants and Scientific botanical illustration follows a more flowers is nature itself. While plants and flow- specific set of conventions and level of detail, ers can seem very tricky and complex at first, and there are a number of excellent references careful observation will show that, for the most available on the subject for the interested part, they are composed of simpler shapes student. repeated in a few common patterns. Spirals, This book is divided into three main radials, and other symmetrical arrangements sections: flowers and flowering plants; vines, are evident everywhere you look, from the leaves, and trees; and other plants (including radiating pattern of daisy petals and the spiral succulents, herbs, and grasses). You will proba- arrangements of succulent leaves to the op- bly find that as you get to know how certain posing leaf pairs of a milkweed plant. Knowing plants are constructed, those forms will apply what to look for will help you master the draw- to other species with similar forms (for exam- ing of plants. ple, the basic parts of a daisy are very similar For example, flowers such as daisies have to the basic parts of a black-eyed Susan or S petals that are all the same shape while irises echinacea/cone flower blossom). You’ll also T N A and orchids have an arrangement of pairs or find that, like snowflakes, no two flowers or L P triads of differently shaped petals. Honey- leaves are identical. It’s the little flaws, quirks, D N suckle and trumpet vine have long, tube-like and differences that give depictions of plant A S blossoms made of fused petals. Aside from the life their character and realism. R E shapes and symmetry of stems, leaves, and Once you understand the general symme- W O flowers, it is also important to note the pat- try and basic shapes found in common plants L F tern of the veins on leaves, as there are several and flowers, you can begin working with them 0 0 1 different arrangements depending on the type in perspective, in multiples, and as elements in T: S of plant. Some veins all radiate out from a cen- larger compositions. I hope that this book will TI R tral point at the base of the leaf, some branch introduce you to the basics and get you more A N alternately from a central vein, and some are comfortable and familiar with some of the A E paired symmetrically moving from the base plant life we see all around us. K LI W A R D 6 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 6 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 6 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 66 INTRODUCTION HOW TO USE THIS BOOK There are many tools, media, and styles in which to draw flowers and plants. This book uses some techniques I have learned over the years and will show you the methods I have found most useful for understanding the basics of drawing realistically. The figures and steps can be copied directly to achieve a finished drawing, and the process and method can be used for drawing many other subjects, whether plants, animals, or anything else. Suggested Materials • Graphite pencil: At a minimum, you should have a standard HB pencil, but harder pencils (2H, 4H, etc.) are useful for making lighter lines and underdrawing, while softer pencils (2-6B) are helpful for more dramatic lines and shading. • Felt tip pens or brush pens • Smooth paper, at least 80 lb • Eraser: I recommend a kneaded eraser, which erases very cleanly without smudging and doesn’t leave “crumbs” on your paper. Basic Drawing Process Begin the drawing with your harder pencil so your lines will be light and easy to erase. Once you are satisfied with your shapes and basic contour, you can go over the drawing with your soft pencil or drawing pens. You can then erase your lighter pencil lines for a clean, finished drawing. Negative Space In order to draw an accurate contour line for complex leaves and petals, sometimes it is more helpful to look at what isn’t there than what is. This is called “drawing the negative space.” In the example of the maple leaf below, start by drawing elongated diamond shapes for the segments of the leaf. Then, to accurately describe the leaf margin or edge, you’ll subtract areas to follow the contour of the leaf edge. It is often easiest to start with a simpler shape (triangle, diamond, teardrop) and then subtract the negative space to arrive at the correct form for the plant part you are drawing. 7 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 7 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 7 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 77 Constructing the Image Once you establish the basic shapes and symmetry of the flower or plant, you can start to establish the more detailed contours of the leaves, petals, and other parts. The middle steps (generally steps 3 and 4 or 4 through 6) are the construction steps. In this stage of the drawing, you are establishing the three-dimensional quality of the plant. In the clematis example below, step 4 begins to show the proper position and angles of the leaves and petals. The ruffled edges of the petals and the parts of the center of the flower are articulated in steps 5 and 6. STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 Adding Details and Cleanup Final lines and small details come last. Here you add things like patterns and markings, veins and creases, and a little bit of shading. Once you’re happy with your work, go over your contour lines with a pen and add more detail. Finally, erase your pencil lines. In step 4 of the buttercup drawing here, you can still see the light pencil lines of the general shapes we started with. In step 5, I begin to erase those lines, and in the finished drawing in step 6, you can see the final shading, flower detail, and leaf veins added. If you are new to drawing plants, you S T N can copy the steps in this book exactly. A L As you become more advanced in your P D drawing practice, you can apply these steps N A and techniques to other plants you observe S R and to entirely different subjects. STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 E W O L F TIPS FOR BETTER LINE CONTROL 0 0 1 All of the drawings in this book are line drawings. Even though we are only using lines to create T: S realistic flowers and plants, with good line control your drawings can be more polished and life- TI R like. Here are some tips and tricks to make your lines smoother and more controlled. A N A E TIP #1: DRAW WITH MORE THAN JUST YOUR HAND AND WRIST K LI Beginners tend to grip their pencil very tightly and move just the hand/wrist. Drawing is not at W all like writing. Practice loosening the grip on your pencil and moving your entire arm when you A R D 8 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 8 25/3/19 4:50 PM 308101 - 100 Flowers and Plants_001-112.indd 8 TTiittllee:: 330088110011 -- 110000 FFlloowweerrss aanndd PPllaannttss 25/3/19 4:49 PM Text PPaaggee:: 88