How to Draw a Lily: Easy 20-Step Guide for Beginners

Bring the beauty of spring to your sketchbook with this beginner-friendly lily tutorial. Designed for artists ages 5 and up, this project uses basic shapes to build confidence and fine motor control. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite coloring supplies to create a stunning floral masterpiece.

20 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A beautiful, completed lily drawing, showcasing petals, stem, and leaves.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Step 1: Sketching the First Petal Base

Pencil sketch showing the first irregular, open-ended oval petal base for a lily drawing.

Draw an irregular oval that is pointed and open on one end. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil lines light and feathery so they are easy to erase later if you need to adjust your shape.

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Step 2: Adding the Second Petal

Adding a second overlapping petal shape to the lily sketch.

Draw another open, irregular oval below the first, letting them meet at the point. Tip: Think of these as organic, flowing shapes rather than perfect geometric circles.

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Step 3: Building the Flower Center

Drawing a third petal shape to begin forming the center of the lily.

Add a third open, irregular oval connected to the second. Tip: Vary the size of your ovals to make the flower look more natural and less stiff.

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Step 4: Defining the Fourth Petal

Adding a fourth curved petal shape to the lily drawing.

Draw a fourth open shape using a smooth, curved line that connects to the third oval. Tip: Use a continuous motion to keep the curve looking fluid.

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Step 5: Closing the Flower Shape

Using M-shaped lines to close the gaps between the lily petals.

Use two curved lines in an 'M' shape to draw two more ovals, closing the gap between the first and fourth petals. Tip: This creates the depth needed for a realistic bloom.

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Step 6: Extending the Left Petals

Refining the left side petals of the lily into pointed shapes.

Extend the three petals on the left side into blunt points using gentle, curving lines. Tip: Imagine the petals are reaching out toward the sun.

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Step 7: Extending the Right Petals

Refining the right side petals of the lily into pointed shapes.

Repeat the process for the right side, extending the three petals into blunt points. Tip: Keep your strokes consistent with the left side to maintain balance.

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Step 8: Cleaning Up Your Sketch

Erasing unnecessary guide lines from the lily flower petals.

Carefully erase the internal oval lines that cross over your newly formed petals. Tip: Use a clean eraser and gentle pressure to avoid smudging your work.

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Step 9: Drawing the First Anther

Drawing the first stamen and anther in the center of the lily.

Extend two parallel, curving lines from the center, connecting them with a small oval at the tip. Tip: This represents the stamen, which gives the lily its distinct look.

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Step 10: Adding More Anthers

Adding a second stamen and anther to the lily center.

Draw another anther extending upwards from the center using the same parallel line technique. Tip: Keep the lines close together for a delicate appearance.

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Step 11: Filling the Center

Adding two additional stamens to complete the lily's center.

Draw two more anthers between the first two. Tip: Don't worry if they overlap; it adds realism to the flower's center.

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Step 12: Finalizing the Center

Cleaning up the lines around the lily's anthers.

Erase any guide lines visible inside the top two anthers. Tip: Precision here makes the flower look much more professional.

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Step 13: Adding Petal Veins

Drawing vein details on the lily petals.

Draw a small 'U' shape at the center, then extend graceful lines toward the tip of each petal. Tip: These lines represent the veins and give the petals texture.

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Step 14: Drawing the Stem

Adding a stem to the base of the lily flower.

Extend two long, parallel, curving lines from the bottom of the flower, connecting them with a small oval. Tip: A slightly curved stem looks more natural than a perfectly straight one.

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Step 15: Starting the First Leaf

Beginning to draw a leaf on the lily stem.

Extend a curved line from the stem, then add a second line to form the leaf's vein. Tip: Start the leaf near the middle of the stem for better composition.

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Step 16: Shaping the Leaf

Completing the shape of the first lily leaf.

Use two wavy lines to form the body of the leaf, meeting at a point. Tip: Make the leaf wider in the middle and thinner at the ends.

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Step 17: Adding a Second Leaf

Starting a second leaf on the opposite side of the lily stem.

Repeat the process on the left side of the stem. Tip: Try to make the second leaf look slightly different in angle to add variety.

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Step 18: Completing the Second Leaf

Completing the second leaf on the lily stem.

Draw the second leaf using two wavy lines that meet at a point. Tip: Ensure the leaf looks like it is attached firmly to the stem.

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Step 19: Adding Speckles

Adding decorative speckles to the lily petals.

Add small dots and circles to the petals to mimic a lily's natural markings. Tip: Use varying sizes of dots to make the pattern look organic.

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Step 20: Coloring Your Lily

The final colored lily drawing with soft shading and details.

Bring your drawing to life with color! Use white and cream for the petals, and light green for the center and anthers. Tip: Use light, layered strokes to build up the color for a soft, realistic look.