This project has been one of my most-requested tutorials ever. I first shared it on Instagram years ago, and I’ve been asked so many times to turn it into a full tutorial. So here we are – finally!
I made one of these floral monogram letters, framed it, and hung it on my daughter’s wall… and honestly, it’s the cutest. It also makes an amazing gift.
The best part? It looks fancy, but you don’t need drawing skills to pull it off.
Supplies Used
- Cardstock (any will do, but I like Stonehenge Warm White or Strathmore Bristol)
- Pencil + eraser
- Fine liner pens (archival ink if possible – I used 03 + 05 Micron)
- Letter template (either mine from Patreon, one you make yourself, or freehand)
- Light pad (I use a Cricut Bright Pad, but a sunny window works just as well!)
Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!
Let’s Get Started!
Materials are super simple – cardstock, pencil, and archival ink.
If you’re in my Patreon community, you can grab my printable templates for both the letter outlines and the floral illustrations (so you can just trace!). But even if you’re not, I’ll walk you through everything step by step so you can DIY it too.
Step 1: Transfer Your Letter
Place your cardstock over your printed template and lightly trace the outline of your chosen letter.
- Center it as best you can – eyeballing works fine!
- Use very light pencil pressure (we’ll erase it later).
Step 2: Start Adding Flowers
Now comes the fun part: filling the space around your letter with florals.
- Choose a flower and start drawing it with your fine liner.
- Stop your lines wherever they “hit” the outline of your letter – this creates the illusion that the flowers are wrapping behind it.
- Build clusters: main flower + small accent flowers + leaves.
Tip: You can repeat the same flower over and over, or mix a variety. Both look great!
Step 3: Keep Building
Work your way around the outline, adding more and more florals. Don’t worry about perfect placement – just keep filling in space.
The secret to this project is volume. The more flowers and leaves you add, the more polished the outline will look.
Step 4: Check for Balance
Once your letter is mostly filled, do the “squint test.”
- Squint at your page to see if there are any big gaps.
- Add an extra leaf, bud, or berry wherever the outline feels uneven.
- Vary the sizes of your flowers and leaves for interest.
Step 5: Add Depth
Switch to your thicker pen (Micron 05) and add darker outlines or fill in some centers. This adds contrast and makes the design pop.
You don’t have to outline every flower – just pick a few for depth.
Step 6: Erase Pencil Lines
Once you’re happy with your florals, gently erase the pencil outline of your letter.
If you find corners or edges that don’t feel defined, you can add one more leaf or stem to sharpen the shape.
That’s a Wrap – Your Finished Piece!
And that’s it – you’ve created a floral monogram!
You can frame it, gift it, or add it to your wall as decor. And remember:
- It doesn’t have to be perfect.
- The more you add, the better it looks.
- Any black-and-white floral illustration style ends up looking pretty.
This project is one of those magical ones where no matter what, it always turns out beautiful. Give it a try – and don’t forget to have fun with it!
Want Templates?
If you’d like to skip the guesswork, my Patreon resource library has:
- Printable letter templates (for every letter of the alphabet)
- Step-by-step floral worksheets you can trace
- Tons more resources for calligraphy and illustration
It’s the easiest way to get started if you’re feeling nervous about drawing.
And finally, your dad joke…
Where do you go after a peek-a-boo injury?
The I.C.U.
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