Karen D. Reed - How to Draw Flowers and Trees: A Beginner’s Guide. Simple techniques to create beautiful forms

Ah, nature, we all want to capture the majesty of it in pictures, on video, on canvas and with pencil and paper, and you want to learn how to capture nature like the multitudes of people you see online.

The problem is youve tried and gotten frustrated time and time again. Youve looked up tutorials, tried to followed books that claimed a step-by-step process only for it to leave you with more questions than what you started. Youre in luck. I understand your problems, and I was in your place. That is why I have put together this beginning tutorial book to get you started. I promise to take you step-by-step and explain the process along the way to answer the questions you have from other sources.

So, if youre ready to start learning how to draw flowers and trees, this is the book for you. What are you waiting for?
Youre on your way. By purchasing this book, you are on your way to learning the fundamentals of drawing nature, more accurately flowers and trees. Flowers color our world and trees are majestic and ever-present. Capturing the essence of these flora can be difficult and taxing if you dont know where to start. This book will help you start on your journey of drawing nature by: Basic advice on drawing in general, Listing basic things you are going to need to get started, Teaching you how to spot the shapes in flowers and trees; Walking you step-by-step through the drawing process.

As someone who has purchased books on how and have drawn a few ourselves, I can fill in all the advice many other leave out. This will help you better understand the tricks behind drawing nature. So, if youre ready, let get to it.
Chapter 1 Drawing advice and Tools of the Trade The last thing you need is someone telling you some tidbits of wisdom before starting the lessons, but we need to go over a few things before we jump into it.

1. Take your time.

Drawing is not a race. There may be many people on the internet that have speed challenges, but when youre first getting started, you need to take it slow and methodical. Once it becomes second nature, speed will follow. 2. Dont compare your work with others. One thing we all like to do is compare our work with what we see in books and on the internet, forgetting we are looking a both professionals and people who have been doing this for years.

The best way to track your progress is to save your work and compare it to work youve done in the past. This will give you a better picture of how well youre coming along in your hobby. Rome wasnt built in a day and masterpieces werent either. Even the greatest artists had to start slowly and with the basics. Dont expect your first drawings to be your best. 4. 4.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, even if its going outside, taking pictures and using those pictures as models for your work, practice. This is how you get better and master your hobby.

This isnt going to be a long list. Those are for other books when youre ready to advance your hobby and try new techniques. Sketch Pad A simple sketch pad is all you are going to need to get started. You can get these online or in craft stores, some department and big-box stores carry them.

A trusty No. 2 pencil or mechanical pencil with HB lead To master the basics, this is all you need to draw your subject. Markers or Color Pencils Nothing fancy, but you need these to color in your trees and flowers when you get to that stage. There will be some lessons that include color. A comfortable workspace A table, comfortable chair and good lighting is all you need to start your drawing journey.
Chapter 2 Looking for shapes When you look at the picture to the left, you see a flower, finished and ready for the guides to be erased.

Youre wondering how to get started. Take a deep breath and forget that its a flower. Focus on the curves of the petals, the waves your focus shifts to the edges and the small circles in the center that make up the stamen.
When you draw, dont look at the finished product as a whole. It is easier for your mind to break it down into individual parts or shapes and draw those.
Progression of Shapes Look to the left once again.

Were going to break down how the shapes form a leaf.

1. First, we have simple lines and curves. The stem of the leaf is thicker because there are more lines in that area.

1. Were adding curves from the bottom using the lines as a frame work for the shapes to come.

c. Bumpy, or wavy curves further follow the frame of the leaf. d. We finish off the leaf with a pointed end.

Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for when you start drawing, lets move to the lessons.
Chapter 3 A Simple Flower Remember our flower from the previous chapter? Were doing that one from the beginning. 1. It starts with a simple cross shape that is disproportionate.