How to Draw a Poppy (Easy Step by Step)
A poppy is a cheerful flower built from wavy petals, a small circle, and a long stem. If you can draw a cloud, a circle, and a line, you can draw this one. The little sun-like rays around the center make it look like it is glowing.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a poppy step by step
How to Draw a Poppy · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Top petals
Draw two big wavy, rounded petals side by side at the top, like two soft clouds. Leave a small dip between them, and stop each outer end partway down the sides.
Step 2: Bottom petals
Draw two more wavy petals below the first two, one on the left and one on the right. Start each one where a top petal ends, and curve it down toward the middle, leaving a small gap at the bottom.
Step 3: Flower center
In the middle of the flower, draw a small round circle, like a button.
Step 4: Petal lines and rays
Draw short straight lines from the center out toward the gaps between the petals, at the top, left and bottom. Then add short little dashes in a ring around the circle, like the rays of a sun.
Step 5: The stem
Start in the gap under the flower with a tiny bumpy knot, then draw a long, slightly wobbly line straight down for the stem.
Step 6: The leaf
Near the bottom, draw a leaf on the left side of the stem. Give it a zigzag, wavy edge, like a row of little hills, then add one straight line through the middle for the vein.
Step 7: The flower bud
From the stem on the right, draw a curved line that bends down like a hook. At the end, draw a small egg shape for the bud, then add a curved line down its middle.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your poppy? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a dandelion or how to draw a water lily next.
Tips for drawing a poppy
- Make the petal edges wavy instead of perfectly smooth. Think of drawing a cloud with a few gentle bumps, and the petals will look soft and ruffled.
- Draw the center circle before the little rays. Space the rays evenly, like the numbers on a clock, so the center looks like a sun.
- The zigzag leaf edge is the trickiest part. Draw it as a row of tiny hills going up and down, and take it slowly one hill at a time.
Free poppy coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this poppy coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your poppy drawing
Color the petals a bright poppy red or orange, the center a deep yellow or black, and the stem and leaf green. For a creative twist, make a rainbow poppy with each petal a different color.
Poppy fun fact for kids
The California poppy is the official state flower of California.
Questions about drawing a poppy
What shapes do I need to draw a poppy?
You need wavy rounded petal shapes, one small circle for the center, a long line for the stem, and an egg shape for the bud. The leaf has a zigzag edge and a line down the middle.
How do I make my poppy petals look soft?
Draw the edges with gentle bumps and curves instead of straight lines or sharp corners. Let the top petals flow into the bottom petals so the outline looks like one ruffled flower.
How do I draw the stem so it looks real?
Make the stem a bit wobbly instead of ruler straight, and start it with a small knot right under the flower so it looks attached.
