How to Draw Mistletoe: Easy 10-Step Holiday Art Guide

Bring some holiday cheer to your sketchbook with this simple mistletoe tutorial, perfect for artists ages 5 and up. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and your favorite markers or colored pencils. Follow these steps to master organic leaf shapes and festive berry clusters while building your confidence in holiday illustration.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A festive, finished mistletoe illustration with a red bow, perfect for holiday-themed art projects.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Decorative Bow

Pencil sketch of a simple bow outline for a mistletoe drawing, showing the center knot and two rounded side loops.

Start by drawing the center of the bow using a small rectangle, then add large, rounded loops on either side. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the symmetry of the loops before finalizing the lines.

Step 2: Adding the Ribbon Tails

Drawing the ribbon tails hanging from the bow, featuring V-shaped ends to create a realistic fabric look.

Extend two curved lines downward from the bow to create the ribbon tails, finishing each with a 'V' shape at the bottom. Tip: Make the tails look flowy by giving them a slight 'S' curve rather than drawing them perfectly straight.

Step 3: Establishing the Stems

Adding stems extending upward from the bow, creating the structural framework for the mistletoe berries and leaves.

Add a second ribbon tail, then draw three pairs of lines extending upward from the center of the bow to form the main stems. Tip: Vary the height of these stems to make your mistletoe look more natural and less like a rigid grid.

Step 4: Drawing the First Berry Cluster

Sketching overlapping circles to form berry clusters along the stems of the mistletoe.

Draw several overlapping circles along the stems to represent the berries. Connect them with short, parallel lines. Tip: Don't worry if the circles aren't perfect; berries in nature are often slightly irregular, which adds charm to your drawing.

Step 5: Adding Initial Leaves

Adding the first set of teardrop-shaped leaves to the mistletoe stems.

Add more berry clusters and begin drawing your first leaves by creating long, teardrop-shaped loops. Tip: To make the leaves look realistic, ensure they taper to a point at the end.

Step 6: Expanding the Foliage

Adding more leaves and berry clusters to build out the fullness of the mistletoe plant.

Continue adding leaves to the stems using the same teardrop technique, and add another small cluster of berries. Tip: Try to overlap some leaves behind the berries to create a sense of depth in your drawing.

Step 7: Adding Volume

Refining the mistletoe drawing by adding more leaves and stems to create a lush, full look.

Fill in empty spaces with additional curved lines for stems and more leaves. Tip: Use this step to balance your composition—if one side looks too empty, add a small leaf or berry there.

Step 8: Finalizing Details

Adding final details to the mistletoe berries and leaves to complete the sketch.

Add final berries and leaves to ensure the mistletoe looks lush and full. Tip: Check your lines—if any overlap, erase the inner lines to make the berries look like they are sitting on top of the stems.

Step 9: Completing the Outline

Finalizing the outline of the mistletoe drawing, ready for coloring.

Add any final teardrop leaves to the remaining stems. Tip: Once you are happy with the shape, use a fine-liner or dark pencil to go over your final lines, then erase your initial light construction marks.

Step 10: Adding Color

A fully colored mistletoe drawing with green leaves, white berries, and a red bow.

Bring your mistletoe to life! Use vibrant greens for the leaves and soft white or light cream for the berries. Tip: Add a tiny bit of shading on one side of the berries to make them look round and 3D.