How to Draw a Lily (Easy Step by Step)
A lily is a great first flower because it is mostly one simple shape used over and over. Each petal is a pointy oval, like a stretched lemon, and the six of them circle around a tiny center. Add a thin stem and two leaves and you have a whole garden flower.
- Easy
- 10 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 lily step by step
How to Draw a Lily · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The top petal
Near the top of your paper, draw a long pointy leaf shape, like a stretched-out lemon, standing straight up. Leave the bottom open, because the other petals will join there.
Step 2: Upper side petals
Draw two more pointy petals that stretch out to the upper left and upper right, like arms waving hello. Their inner ends tuck in toward the middle, just below the top petal.
Step 3: Lower side petals
Add two petals below those, one pointing to the lower left and one to the lower right. Make them about the same size as the upper ones so the flower looks even.
Step 4: The bottom petal
Draw the last petal pointing straight down, with its top end tucked into the middle of the flower. Now all six petals circle around an empty middle.
Step 5: The stem
From the bottom tip of the lowest petal, draw one slightly wavy line going straight down to make a thin stem. Keep it short and slim.
Step 6: Two leaves
At the bottom of the stem, draw a long pointy leaf leaning out to the left and another leaning out to the right. Their bottom tips meet at the end of the stem, making a V shape.
Step 7: Center and petal markings
Draw a tiny square in the middle of the flower and add short lines and little blobs around it, like a star. Then give each petal a short dash and a dot or two.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your lily? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a hibiscus flower or how to draw a poppy next.
Tips for drawing a lily
- Draw one petal first, then copy its size for the rest. Petals that are all about the same length make the flower look balanced.
- Think of a clock face: put petals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 o'clock. This keeps the gaps between them even.
- The center is the trickiest part, so draw it last and keep it small. A tiny square with short lines around it is enough.
Free lily coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this lily 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 lily drawing
Try soft pink or orange petals with darker dots, and green for the stem and leaves. For a creative twist, color each petal a different shade of the rainbow.
Lily fun fact for kids
Lilies grow from underground bulbs, a bit like onions. The bulb stores food all winter, so the flower can pop back up each spring or summer.
Questions about drawing a lily
What shapes do I need to draw a lily?
You need a pointy oval for each petal and leaf, a tiny square for the center, and one long line for the stem. Little dashes and dots finish the pattern.
How do I make my lily petals look even?
Draw the top petal first, then add one pair of petals at a time around the center, checking that each is about the same size. Placing them like the numbers on a clock helps.
How do I make my lily look more real?
Add short dashes and dots on each petal, as real lilies have speckles. Let the two leaves lean out in different directions so the plant looks alive.
