How to Draw a Rose with Stem: Easy 20-Step Guide

Capture the elegance of a rose with this beginner-friendly tutorial. Designed for artists ages 7 and up, this guide uses basic shapes to build a complex-looking flower. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to get started.

20 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A beautifully illustrated, colored rose with a stem, ready for drawing practice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Stem Base

A single light, curved pencil line acting as the guide for a rose stem.

Draw a long, gentle curve from the center of your paper toward the bottom. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape later.

Step 2: Adding Stem Thickness

Two parallel curved lines drawn on either side of the center guide line to create the stem.

Draw two additional curved lines mirroring your first line, one on each side. Tip: Try to keep the distance between the lines consistent for a natural look.

Step 3: Closing the Stem

The bottom of the stem is closed off with a rounded line.

Connect the bottom ends of your three lines with a small, rounded curve. This creates the base of your rose stem.

Step 4: Sketching Thorns

Small triangular shapes added to the sides of the stem to represent thorns.

Add three small triangles on each side of the stem, pointing slightly upward. Tip: Keep them sharp to make them look like real rose thorns.

Step 5: Refining the Stem

The stem after erasing guide lines and refining the thorn shapes.

Erase the center guide line and the bottom lines of the thorns. Extend the thorn lines slightly to give them a natural, organic look.

Step 6: Leaf Veins (Right)

Two curved lines meeting at a point to form the central vein of a leaf.

Draw two arcs on the right side of the stem, meeting at a point. This will serve as the central vein for your first leaf.

Step 7: Leaf Veins (Left)

Central leaf veins added to the left side of the stem.

Repeat the process on the left side of the stem. These veins provide the structure for your leaves.

Step 8: Shaping the First Leaf

The jagged outline of a rose leaf being drawn around the central vein.

Use small, jagged arcs to outline the leaf around the vein. Tip: Rose leaves have serrated edges, so don't worry about making them perfectly smooth!

Step 9: Shaping the Second Leaf

The outline of the second rose leaf completed.

Repeat the jagged outline for the second leaf. Ensure the points connect back to the tip of the vein.

Step 10: Adding Leaf Detail

Fine lines added to the leaves to represent veins.

Draw small, curved lines radiating from the central vein to the edges of the leaves. This adds realistic texture.

Step 11: The Sepals

A star-like shape drawn at the top of the stem to represent sepals.

Draw a five-pointed star shape at the top of the stem. These are the sepals that cradle the rosebud.

Step 12: Starting the Bloom

A small circle and a partial arc forming the center of the rose bloom.

Draw a small circle near the top, then a half-circle around it. This is the center of your rose.

Step 13: Building Petals

Initial petal shapes being drawn around the center of the rose.

Draw an irregular oval around the center, then add long, curving lines extending outward. This creates the first layer of petals.

Step 14: Adding Depth

Additional curved lines added to create depth in the petals.

Use a series of overlapping arcs to create a new petal. This adds volume to the bloom.

Step 15: Enveloping Petals

A large curved line wrapping around the inner petals.

Draw a large, sweeping curved line that wraps around the center section.

Step 16: Side Petals

Petals added to the left and right sides of the rose bloom.

Add a petal on each side of the bloom using two simple curved lines for each.

Step 17: Connecting the Bloom

The bloom is connected to the stem with curved lines.

Connect the petals to the base and the stem using smooth, flowing lines.

Step 18: Outer Petals

Outer petals added to complete the rose bloom.

Add five more petals around the outer edge to make the flower look full and lush.

Step 19: Final Details

Small leaflets added to the base of the rose bloom.

Add small, triangular leaflets at the corners of the bloom to finish the structure.

Step 20: Color and Shading

A fully colored and shaded rose with a stem.

Bring your rose to life with vibrant reds and greens. Use darker shades in the folds of the petals to create depth.