How to Draw an Iris Flower: Easy 10-Step Guide

Bring the beauty of spring to your sketchbook with this simple iris drawing tutorial. Designed for ages 5 and up, this activity requires only a pencil, eraser, and paper to create a stunning floral masterpiece. Follow along to master the elegant, wavy petals of the iris while building your confidence in botanical drawing.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful finished iris flower illustration for kids.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the First Petal

Pencil sketch of the first iris petal showing a wavy outline and a small semi-circle top.

Begin by drawing the central petal using a soft, wavy line. Add a small semi-circle on top. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil strokes light so you can easily adjust the shape if needed later.

Step 2: Adding Side Petals

Drawing the second iris petal with a teardrop shape attached to the side.

Draw a rounded shape on the side of your first petal, then add a teardrop shape above it. Tip: Use smooth, flowing motions to capture the organic, natural curve of the flower.

Step 3: Balancing the Flower

Adding the third petal on the opposite side of the iris flower sketch.

Mirror the process on the opposite side using overlapping curved lines. Tip: Don't worry about making it perfectly symmetrical; nature is beautifully irregular!

Step 4: Drawing Upright Petals

Sketching the tall, pointed upright petal of the iris.

Extend two wavy lines upward to meet at a point, creating the central upright petal. Tip: Imagine the petal is reaching toward the sun.

Step 5: Adding Detail to Upright Petals

Adding a second upright petal with a central vein line for detail.

Draw a second upright petal next to the first, adding a wavy line down the center for texture. Tip: This center line creates a sense of depth and dimension.

Step 6: Completing the Bloom and Stem

Drawing the final upright petal and the long stem of the iris.

Add the final upright petal and draw two parallel curved lines downward to form the stem. Tip: Keep the stem lines smooth to show the strength of the flower.

Step 7: Adding Leaves

Adding long, pointed leaves at the base of the iris stem.

Draw a rounded rectangle at the base of the stem, then extend long, pointed leaves from it. Tip: Iris leaves are sharp and sword-like, so make your points nice and crisp.

Step 8: Drawing a Flower Bud

Sketching a small, unopened iris bud on the stem.

Add an unopened bud on the side by stacking pointed, U-shaped lines. Tip: This adds a realistic touch, showing the flower is still growing.

Step 9: Adding Texture

Adding fine line texture to the petals for a realistic look.

Use small, delicate curved lines to add texture to the petals. Tip: Think of these as the natural veins of the flower petal.

Step 10: Bring Your Iris to Life with Color

Finished iris flower drawing colored with purple and yellow.

Time to color! Use deep purples for the petals and bright yellow for the centers. Tip: Try experimenting with different colors like white, pink, or even stripes to make your iris unique.