It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these floral illustration tutorials – but they’re always super requested. If you’ve missed the previous ones, I actually have a whole series of other florals you can check out!
Today, we’re drawing a Black-Eyed Susan, both a top view and a side view. These simple little flowers are perfect for anyone practicing their line art or botanical illustration.
And if you want to follow along with printable guides, I have step-by-step worksheets for every flower inside my Patreon community – they’re super helpful for practice. But for now, let’s get started!
Supplies Used
- Smooth drawing paper
- Fine liner pens (I used Micron 01 and 03)
- Pencil and eraser
Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!
Let’s Get Started!
One of my favourite things about these floral illustrations is you don’t have to have any fancy supplies. You can do these with just a pencil and paper! So grab your supplies, and let’s go!
Step 1: Draw the Top View
Start as if you’re looking straight down at the flower.
- Sketch the structure. Draw one small circle in the middle (the flower’s center) and a larger one around it for the petal perimeter.
- Add petals. Draw uneven petals all the way around. Make some longer, some shorter, a few overlapping. Imperfections make it more natural!
- Outline in pen. Using your 03 pen, trace the flower center with a slightly jagged line-nature is rarely perfect circles!
- Add texture. Fill the center with tiny, messy circles. Add a few darker ones around the edge so it looks more three-dimensional.
- Detail the petals. With your 01 pen, add curved lines that flick outward from the flower center. The more curved the lines, the more your petals will look like they’re bending.
- Add contrast. Go back with your 03 and darken where petals meet the center.
- Draw the stem. Imagine it curving out from underneath one petal and slightly off to the side.
That’s it – your top-down view is done!
Step 2: Draw the Side View
Now let’s draw the same flower from the side – this one’s a little trickier, but way more interesting.
- Start with the center. Draw an oval instead of a circle. This will be the “eye” of your Black-Eyed Susan. Beneath it, sketch a bean-like shape to show the darker underside of the center.
- Add the petal guide. Sketch another wider oval around that center for where your petals will fall.
- Draw front petals. These are the biggest and closest to you – start with one or two large petals overlapping in front.
- Add back petals. Behind those, sketch shorter, narrower petals that curve downward. You can even show a few flipped-up edges for realism.
- Add a third layer. Draw a few faint, small petals peeking from behind for extra depth.
- Texture the center. Using your 03, fill the front of the flower center with small circles-larger near the middle and smaller near the edges to create depth.
- Add “P” shapes. Around the outer edge of the oval, add tiny curved stems (like the letter P) to mimic the texture of the flower’s raised center.
- Outline the petals. Trace over your sketch lines with your pen.
- Add detail lines. Use your 01 pen and curved flicks from the base of each petal outward. Curvier lines = more realistic folds.
- Add contrast. Darken the areas under overlapping petals to make them stand out.
- Draw the stem. This one can be mostly straight with a gentle curve.
And there you have it – your Black-Eyed Susan from both angles!
That’s a Wrap – Want to Keep Going?!
If you loved this one, I have a full floral illustration workbook (available in my Patreon community!) that includes step-by-step guides for tons of different flowers drawn exactly like this.
We do a lot of projects like this in there – it’s a great way to practice your line work and add a little creative calm to your week.
And if you’re ready for your next floral, I’ll link you to another step-by-step flower tutorial below.
Happy drawing! 🌼
P.S. I’d LOVE to see your creations. Tag me on Instagram: @thehappyevercrafter
And finally, your dad joke…
A book just fell on my head.
I only have my shelf to blame.
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