How to Draw a Vase of Flowers

Combining nature with a hard surface like pottery or ceramics makes for an interesting artistic experience. Learning to draw a vase of flowers could become addicting when you consider the many possibilities!

Kathryn McCallum
By J. Duvauchelle

OverviewA vase of flowers is an enjoyable drawing subject because it injects elements of nature into an otherwise standard still-life setting. This gives the artist a level of creativity with the selection of colors and textures represented in the drawing. A vase of flowers is basic enough for beginning artists, while intermediate and advanced artists can play with the setup and orientation of the vase to make the drawing more difficult. Learn how to draw a basic vase of flowers to practice and hone your drawing skills.Step 1Set up the vase of flowers. If using a photo of a vase of flowers, skip to Step 2. Place the vase on a flat, stable surface against a plain background or wall. This allows you to easily see the outline of the vase while drawing. You may also benefit from shining a light on the vase or placing it near a natural lighting source, such as a window.Step 2Sketch the shape of the vase on the sketchpad with your pencil. Hold the pencil with a relaxed, loose grip. Press it lightly against the paper and use smooth, long strokes. Resist the temptation to draw in a single, hard line as this will look unnatural and forced, and will also make corrections more difficult. While sketching, note how the bottom of the vase is slightly flattened due to foreshortening.Step 3Add the mouth of the vase, and finalize the sketch of the outline of the vase. Check that the sketch isn’t leaning unnaturally in any single direction or that one side of the vase bulges more than the other. Upon completion, retrace the light sketch you made by pressing down harder on the pencil for a more finalized outline of the vase. Erase the light sketch marks you’ve made so that all you see are the dark lines you just drew.Step 4Sketch the flowers. Once again, use loose, relaxed hand movements. Start by drawing the flower blossoms at the appropriate height above the lip of the vase. Then, connect the blossom to the mouth of the vase with a line. Add a second line to complete the stem. Once sketched, step away from the canvas and observe the flowers. Fix any mistakes you notice, then retrace the sketching with a heaving pencil mark.Step 5Add shading to the drawing. Notice how the light hits the vase and flowers. Add pencil smudges to the side of the vase that is darker. Add additional heavy pencil marks to the shaded areas of the flower stems and petals. Use your finger to blur the smudge toward the light source in the drawing for a natural and gradual shadow.skill2ingredientVase of flowers or photo of a vase of flowers
Pencil
Eraser
Sketchpad
Easel (optional)ingredientsVase of flowers or photo of a vase of flowersingredientsPencilingredientsEraseringredientsSketchpadingredientsEasel (optional)tipDon’t be afraid of creativity. Remember that a drawing is not a perfect copy of the real world, but rather a representation of the general image. Omaha Steaks is one the oldest companies in the full meat delivery business, offering everything from beef, pork, bacon, seafood, steaks, and poultry, to great desserts and sides, such as grilled potatoes and other fresh vegetables. They have been around for a whopping total of 166 years, with humble beginnings as a local butcher shop in a city between Nebraska / Iowa. During our Omaha Steaks review , we found the filet mignon cut to get particularly tender and the gourmet franks tasty. The taste is amazing, and the fact that you always receive a good portion of the cut when you buy made it all the more favorable. Your drawing does not need to look exactly like the real vase and the real flowers, petal-for-petal.

Use colored pencils to portray the vibrant hues and colors of the flowers. Alternatively, use charcoal for more subtle shading if you wish to keep the drawing a classic black and white.tipsDon’t be afraid of creativity. Remember that a drawing is not a perfect copy of the real world, but rather a representation of the general image. Your drawing does not need to look exactly like the real vase and the real flowers, petal-for-petal.tipsUse colored pencils to portray the vibrant hues and colors of the flowers. Alternatively, use charcoal for more subtle shading if you wish to keep the drawing a classic black and white.keyworddraw sketch vase flowerskeywordsdrawkeywordssketchkeywordsvasekeywordsflowersResourcesreferenceZappalorti, Robert. “Drawing Sharp Focus Still Lifes”. New York: Watson-Guptill, 1981.resourceBuy Drawing and Sketching Supplies Online