How to Draw a Sunflower (Easy Step by Step)
A sunflower with a smiling face is a fun first flower to draw because it is made from just a few simple shapes. You will use one circle for the center, a ring of long ovals for petals, two straight lines for the stem and two pointy leaves. Once you can draw those, you can make a whole garden.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a sunflower step by step
How to Draw a Sunflower · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The round center
Draw a big circle in the middle of your page. This is the center of the flower, so leave lots of room all around it for petals.
Step 3: Top petals
Draw three long, skinny petals poking up from the top of the circle. Start each one at the circle and make a rounded tip, like a thumb.
Step 4: Side petals
Add four petals reaching out to the left and right of the circle, two on each side. Make each one a long oval that starts at the circle and ends in a round tip.
Step 5: Lower side petals
Draw two more petals on each side, curving down and out from the lower sides of the circle. Start each one at the circle and loop out to a round tip.
Step 6: Bottom petals
Fill in the gap under the circle with a few short, rounded petals. They bunch together a little, and that is just right.
Step 7: The happy face
Inside the circle, draw two small dots for eyes. Then add a little curved smile below and between them.
Step 8: The tall stem
Draw two straight lines going down from the bottom petals, side by side. Close the bottom with a small curve to make a long, thin stem.
Step 9: Two leaves
Draw a pointy leaf on each side of the stem, shaped like a stretched lemon. Start each one at the stem and curve out to a point. Add a short line inside the left leaf.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your sunflower? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a rose or how to draw a butterfly next.
Tips for drawing a sunflower
- Draw the center circle first and keep it big. The petals all grow from its edge, so a small circle leaves no room for them.
- The petals are the trickiest part. Work around the circle like a clock, starting at the top, and try to make each petal about the same length.
- Draw the two stem lines slowly and keep them close to parallel. Then tuck each leaf against the stem so it looks like it is growing from it.
Free sunflower coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this sunflower 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 sunflower drawing
Use bright yellow for the petals, brown for the center and green for the stem and leaves. For a twist, color each petal a different shade of the rainbow.
Sunflower fun fact for kids
Young sunflowers follow the sun across the sky, turning from east to west during the day and then back again overnight. Scientists call this heliotropism.
Questions about drawing a sunflower
What shapes do I need to draw a sunflower?
You need a circle for the center, long ovals for the petals, two straight lines for the stem and two pointy lemon shapes for the leaves.
How do I make my sunflower look cuter?
Keep the eyes as small dots and put the smile low and close to them. A round, chubby center and plump petals make the flower look friendly.
How many petals should a sunflower have?
You can draw as many as you like. Fewer, bigger petals are quicker and easier for little hands.
