Mother’s Day cards should be handmade. I don’t make the rules. This one is built from five basic shapes, takes about fifteen minutes, and looks way more impressive than the effort required. If you can draw a dot, you’re already halfway there.
Supplies Used
- Fine-tip markers in a few colours (I used Ohuhu Coloured Fineliners)
- Watercolour paper or cardstock, cut to card size
- A pencil
- Optional: ruler for a guideline
Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!
Let’s Get Started!
Before we start, I want to go over the five key designs for this card. Here’s what you’re actually drawing:
Five-petal flower – five little rounded petals clustered together.
Scribble clusters – a few quick scribbles that vaguely resemble a flower shape.
Tulip heads – small cup or bean shape with a bumpy top.
Leaves – basic pointed oval.
Dots – if you can’t manage dots, we have bigger problems.
That’s it. Five shapes. Entire design.
Step #1: Sketch “mom”
Lightly sketch the word “mom” across your card in a loose scripty style. Use a ruler if you want a straight baseline, or freehand it. Keep the pencil line as light as possible – sometimes marker ink will show it through. Erase it down to the faintest guideline you can still see.
Step #2: Start Drawing Your Flowers
Now grab your first marker colour and start placing flowers along the pencil lines. The key is to follow the shape of the letters, not fill in the space between them. Let the flowers trace the lines so the word stays readable.
Cluster two or three flowers together in spots – it looks more organic that way. At curves and corners, let your flowers follow the direction of the line. Your petals don’t need to be perfectly spaced. They’re better when they’re not.
Step #3: Switch Colours – More Flowers!
Add your second colour wherever it feels right. Then add yellow scribble clusters in groups of three or four along the curves. For tulips, draw the cup shapes in longer empty stretches – you’ll add stems later.
Add dots in long, skinny clusters to mimic lavender. Lavender always reminds me of my mum and grandmother, so I tuck it in whenever I can. Spread the clusters out to fill gaps without crowding.
Step #4: Add Leaves
Now grab green and add stems to your tulips, each with a small leaf. Keep the leaves close to the stems so they don’t muddy the letter shapes. Then look at any remaining blank spaces and add little green stems with tiny leaves. These tie the whole design together and pull the word back into focus.
Keep Going!
If spots still feel empty, add one or two more flowers. Trust your eye. You’ll know when it’s finished.
Finishing Touches!
Open the card and draw a little heart at the bottom. Fill it in with the same floral shapes – just a few flowers and leaves to echo the front. Sign your name beside it. Done.
That’s a Wrap – Final Thoughts!
This whole thing took me fifteen minutes. It’s just five shapes repeated in different colours, but it looks intricate. The trick is following the lines of the letters and not overthinking it.
What colour combination would you choose for yours?
If you’re looking for more Mother’s Day card designs, check out this one and this one!
And finally, your dad joke…
Which month of the year is the shortest?
May – it only has three letters.
I made this for my mom for Mother’s Day on a 3*3 canvas – SO Cute!!! I love it!!!! Thank you for all of your tutorials- I’ve always believed I was a horrible artist and I’m starting to believe I was just never taught correctly – I needed you to tell me what to do when! Thank you thank you! I hope you and your mom have a very Happy Mother’s Day!