Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants: Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing * A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers

by Melissa Washburn

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is a must-have visual reference for student artists, botanical illustrators, urban sketchers, and anyone seeking to improve their realistic drawing skills.

This comprehensive book features 600-plus step-by-step sketches depicting a vast array of beautiful botanicals, florals, plant structures, and more. Each begins with simple shapes and lines and builds on those forms, adding details like flower centers, leaf veins, and petal shading, and ending with a finished drawing. Helpful drawing tips are also included.

Designed as a contemporary guidebook for artists who want to draw botanical forms, Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants shows flower blossoms, leaves, and plants from a variety of perspectives. By following the guides, artists will become more skilled and confident in their ability to draw any flower or greenery.

Among the botanicals featured are:

Tropical florals such as plumeria, protea, and African violet

Hanging and vine blooms, including wisteria and morning glory
Birch, white oak, gingko, and maple leaves


Plants with interesting shapes, such as cactus, zebra grass, and bamboo
Author Melissa Washburn is a skilled illustrator whose clear and elegant drawing style will make this a go-to sourcebook for years to come.

The books in the Draw Like an Artist series are richly visual references for learning how to draw classic subjects realistically through hundreds of step-by-step images created by expert artists and illustrators.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing, Reference

112 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2019

About the author

Melissa Washburn is an illustrator and graphic designer living just outside Chicago in the Midwest US. She grew up in upstate New York, in the foothills of the Adirondacks, but has lived in the Midwest since 1996. Her fascination with things that run, fly, and grow has led to editorial commissions for publications such as Charlotte Home and Garden, Spirituality & Health magazine, and Smithsonian Magazine. She continues to exhibit her work throughout Northwest Indiana as well as illustrate and design for advertising, editorial, surface pattern, and package design. Her background includes a bachelor of fine arts in painting and printmaking from Binghamton University, a master's degree in arts administration from Indiana University, coursework at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and experience as Art Director at advertising firm Group 7even. She was a 2012–2013 recipient of an Individual Artist Program grant from the Indiana Arts Commission. You can see more of her work at www.melissawashburn.com.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants: Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing * A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers by Melissa Washburn is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This is such a perfect book for learning how to draw flowers, and there is so many flowers to learn! It is absolutely fabulous! They are all step-by-step with loads of instructions and illustrations! The drawings are clear to understand as well as the instructions. Wow, I was just blown over by the total amount of flowers too! Wonderful book! I plan to get this myself! This is for beginners but others may benefit too!

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants provides a step by step guide to drawing plants and flowers. The author, Melissa Washburn, is a professional artist and illustrator and her tutorials in this book are clear and simple. Each flower and plant is shown in the various drawing stage. I would probably give this one five stars if there was a little more explanation of the steps and some color. The book did make me feel that I could actually learn to draw though, which is exactly what I hoped for.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free digital ARC of this one, in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it easy to follow the step-by-step instructions for drawing flowers.

I will check out again and practice some more on drawing flowers.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic how-to book for anybody who'd like to learn to draw all kinds of flowers and plants. Black and white sketches show how to simply draw the outline of each flower, leaf, tree, etc. first with basic shapes and then fill it out and perfect it with detail. Each one has about 4 illustrations that demonstrate quite well how you can move from basic ovals and lines to incredibly realistic plants, from coneflowers to lilacs to oak leaves. So many drawing tutorial books seem to require either years of training or supernatural art skills, but the author shows how anyone can draw flowers and plants by just taking enough time and attention and following her steps. This is a really lovely book and one I'm considering buying for our family.

My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost

I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.

[Artù · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelle prime pagine del libro l'autrice spiega in linea generale il processo con cui realizzare accurati disegni di piante e fiori in biano in nero, utilizzando matite ed inchiostro.
Il resto del libro, direi la parte più corposa, è un campionario di disegni dell'autrice dove mostra come realizzare painte e fiori più comuni e diffusi.
Osservando i suoi disegni si impara molto. È un libro molto bello e piacevole.

[Lel Budge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, simple instruction on how to draw plants, leaves and flowers. From maple leaves, tulips, lavender and strawberry plants.

Perfect, clear illustrations to show how to do simple yet beautiful line drawings. Just right for a beginner

[Leah Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super easy to follow. All instructions were done in simple illustrations. I am sure if you sat down and practiced you could draw any flower or plant in this book very well with the illustrations provided.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants:Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing' by Melissa Washburn is an art instruction book and a reference to draw many different flowers.

This book starts by introducing the reader to the tools needed for drawing and what sort of paper works best. Then it gets in to the basics of drawing and shows how to break down objects into simpler geometric shapes. From there, the artist can add lines and shading and detail. Then there are pages and pages of instructions on drawing all kind of different flowers from their rough breakdown to the finished product.

I enjoyed this book and the instructions are approachable and easy for a beginner to follow to create some really nice flowers. The reference alone would be worth it for all the different flowers and plants.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Mechthild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's draw
"Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants. Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing. A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers" by Melissa Washburn was published by Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry. Washburn gives a brief introduction and states in regard to the use of the book: "There are many tools, media, and styles in which to draw flowers and plants. This book uses some techniques I have learned over the years and will show you the methods I have found most useful for understanding the basics of drawing realistically. The figures and steps can be copied directly to achieve a finished drawing, and the process and method can be used for drawing many other subjects, whether plants, animals, or anything else." She also provides a list with suggested materials and touches subjects such as the basic drawing process and tips for better line control before providing the step-by-step drawings. These are grouped into three sections: 1) Flowers and flowering plants, 2) Vines, Leaves, and Trees, and 3) Other Plants.
I have to confess that I am an absolute amateur when it comes to drawing and I have been impressed by the book. The step-by-step designs are really an inspiration and the number of them is absolutely inspiring. Every plant, may it be a common or an unique one is presented with up to six sketches which will be really a help for the aspiring artist. I highly can recommend this book for beginners and advanced artists who like to engage in drawing.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#DrawLikeAnArtist100FlowersAndPlants #NetGalley

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is a step by step tutorial guide to drawing botanical subjects. Due out 25th June 2019 by Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format. Author Melissa Washburn is a professional artist and illustrator and her tutorials are clear and pretty easy to follow.

This guide provides a short introduction followed by 100 specific line drawing tutorials (see cover) arranged by different species and type of plant. The tutorial pages are similar to the drawings on the cover and have 3-6 steps each.

There is no index in the eARC I received for review, however the table of contents is quite detailed and specific. This is a very bare bones streamlined collection. There is no detailed written instruction here, just the line drawings with refinements.

Three and a half stars. This is for artists who know how to draw and need some help with perspective, composition, and positioning.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Draw like an artist: 100 flowers and plants provides step-by-step instructions on how to draw flowers and plants.

The book is divided into three sections:
Section 1 has 50 flowers like tulips, marigold, rose and hibiscus
Section 2 has 20 vines, leaves and trees, including willow, maple, and magnolia
Section 3 has 30 of other plants including bamboo,chive, palm and fern.

Most of them have six to eight steps till completion.

I drew 7 of the flowers and leaves, and really feel that this book helps me to draw them prettier and more realistic. (How do you add pics to these reviews? I wanted to show my flowers!)

The more detailed ones can be a bit more difficult to follow though (example: the rose!) because of all the confusing lines. However, as with everything else, patience and practice can only result in better drawings. Draw something from the book everyday and you can sure you will be soon be producing great little pieces of art.

As you sketch along and learn how to start with basic shapes and how to fill up those shapes, you can even go on to draw other blossoms not featured in the book.

With so many people doing nature, art and bullet journals nowadays, this book would be great to help them draw flowers and plants to be proud of!

Thank you to Netgalley and Quarry for this ARC given to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a pretty poor artist but would love to be able to draw, so I have a small collection of books which give guidance on drawing techniques. I can honestly say this is the best I've come across. It begins with advice on what to use and how to grip your pencil, and goes on to basic drawing techniques - observe, draw the outline, refine, fill in. The tone is friendly and helpful and you can really feel the author's enthusiasm.

After the introduction there are many examples of how to draw individual plants - usually 6 sketches per plant, from basic outline to finished drawing. The steps are easy to follow and understand. I can already see where I've been going wrong - the outline is vastly important (e.g. it had not occurred to me that a fern leaf is a big triangle, so start with a big triangle! It can be rubbed out later).

The author is American but the plants used in the book were mostly familiar, although some such as rubber plant and aloe are usually found as houseplants in the UK. There was no 'plant discrimination' and quite a few weeds were featured. I'm looking forward to trying the dandelion as our garden has quite a few!

Thanks for the publisher and Netgalley for the digital copy.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a homeschool mom, I'm always looking for different ways to spark my children's creativity and interest. For a long time, they've enjoyed drawing and illustrating as they learn. But all of us get a little frustrated with our own limited experience. So we decided to give this book a shot. Divided into three sections (flowers, vines and trees, other plants), there were a large variety of plants to choose from and each was sketched out in 6-8 easy to follow steps. I especially appreciated how the author drew guidelines in the beginning to get the symmetry, and then later filled in the individual shapes. The author also took the time to explain elements like line thickness and negative space, concepts that can be used in other realistic drawings as well. We love practicing our artistry and how to better illustrate these plants in our notebooks. I would prefer this book in print format, but the digital is nice as well. There is plenty in this volume to keep us growing and learning for some time to come.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Jason Muckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants" by Melissa Washburn is a very detailed drawing book for all things flora. It has 50 step-by-step flower variations she teaches you how to draw, then 20 vines, leaves and trees, and closes out with another 30 "other plants" such as mint, bamboo, prickly pear, and many others.

I think the power of this book is the extensiveness of it. There are so many different plants you can draw from this guide. The introduction, how to use this book, and tips for line control are all excellent resources for any aspiring artists learning to sketch and draw plants.

Practicing these many different and unique types of botanical sketches would keep one busy for a while, further adding to the worth of a unique book like this in your personal library.

I received this eBook free of charge from Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry Books via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a step by step guide on how to draw a variety of different flowers and plants. It ideal for those who are beginners.

There are three main sections: Flowers & flowering plants, Vines, leaves and trees and finally Other plants, alongside an Introduction on how to use the book, suggested materials and the basic drawing processes. Once this section is over, the book jumps straight into the images you can draw.

Each black and white pencil image comes with around six or seven steps to create the flower or plant, building up the image in stages until it resembles a flower. I had a go at a number of the images in the book, and whilst I'm no Van Gogh, they did look better than anything I would have drawn before!

I'd certainly recommend this book for anyone starting out and quite sure my daughter would find it useful as she likes drawing plants quite often using this type of stage by stage method.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an art instruction book on using graphite pencil to draw realistic flowers and plants. After the brief introduction to her method, the author provided step-by-step drawings for one plant per page. There's no text, just 6-8 easy-to-follow steps leading from basic shapes to help block in symmetry, angles, and positions to adding details and cleaning up the guidelines. The author demonstrated how to draw a wide variety of flower and plant types so you can apply the lessons from one flower (or leaf, etc.) to similar flowers.

She covered 50 flowers and flowering plants, 20 vines, leaves, and trees, and 30 succulents, herbs, grasses, etc. I liked her clear illustrations, and I feel like I better understand how to use her method than some that I've learned. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those wanting to improve or learn how to draw flowers.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Shanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants by Melissa Washburn published by Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry is an amazing and helpful guide to draw 100 different flowers and plants.

As someone who loves art and who loves to draw, this book is an asset for me.

The book teaches us to draw 100 different flowers and plants in basic steps. It is shown so simply that I doubt any reader will have any difficulty understanding these steps.

I had so much fun going through this book. I have already tried drawing a flower according to the steps given in this book. Loved doing that! Soon, I am going to draw other flowers given in this book too.

I really enjoyed it so I highly recommend this to anyone who loves art and loves to sketch.

I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher through Netgalley.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm no artist, but I'm aspiring to be and this book informs me that following instructions from it, I can draw flowers and plants like one and so I immediately gave it a try. Hmm! Not bad actually. Definitely not like an artist but I did produce two very passable sketches with not a lot of effort and I'm raring to do others. There are written guidelines and tips for technique at the beginning of the book and then an extensive selection of plants and flowers to choose from. Each one has approximately six to eight step-by step pictures to guide you (see the front cover of the book for an indication of what's inside it), however no further written instructions. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. A great book for a beginner like me.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like drawing flowers and plants and want a robust reference for how to draw different types and species, this is the book for you! This isn't just a "how to draw any flowers or plants" title, this has specific types of flowers and plants that are all different and unique, so your garden will be full of real-life elements, complete with different shaped leaves, petals, and more realistic details. This would also be a great reference if you are in the wild and see some flowers or plants and wonder what they are since the drawings are very detailed and specific so it's quite clear what species you're drawing and how they are different. A great how-to and reference book for the nature lover. Recommend for your personal library!

[Lori Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draw like an artist is on my to be purchased list. I love to purchase any drawing book to carry with me to draw on the go. I loved the step by step, simple and easy instructions for drawing 100 flowers and plants. All the leaves and fern techniques and the details that you can add simply make this an excellent resource for drawing backgrounds and nature scenes. I love that it starts with basic shapes and I can create a simple flower or add more to it and make it have more depth. These techniques are great for cards, scrapbook pages, drawing, watercolor, acrylics and many other media techniques. This will be a staple how to book! I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Janall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from Net Gallery in exchange for an honest review.
A talented artist once told me that drawing is a skill, not a talent and that anyone can draw if they just practice. This book is an ideal way to practice your drawing skills of plants, flowers and leaves.
Each item is deconstructed into 6-8 step by step sketches. They are a simple yet accurate representations of botanicals. There is no coloration of the drawings, but I like that as it lets me experiment with my own technique without influence.
This is the perfect book for creating a travel journal or a Nature Sketchbook,

[Terrie Case · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous step by step instructional book for learning to draw flowers and plants. From a couple of circles and a line to an in-depth plant. This is great for the non-artist to see how this is done. I found myself being able to draw flowers in a way I never thought possible. I enjoyed seeing the change from one step to the next instead of just being told how to draw it.

This book helped to bring the mystique to drawing to a level even a beginner can understand. Pick it up and practice, practice, practice.


I received an ARC from Quarto Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

[Doreen Prentiss Gabriellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is a wonderful book. For those of us who would like to learn to draw flowers and plants who have not had a formal education in drawing this book is great! Each page is filled with a different flower or plant. The guide is completely visual. There a drawings from the rudimentary beginning of each drawing to the completion. It is simple, visual and very inspiring. You can use these ideas on paper, fabric, and anything else you can dream up.
I would like to thank Quarto Publishing, the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[JCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a very brief introduction explaining how the author became an artist and illustrator and how to use the book effectively, the reader is guided step by step how to approach drawing one hundred different plants and flowers. She suggests using graphite pencils, felt tip pens or brush pens. The three main tutorial sections are Flowers and flowering plants; Vines, leave and trees; and Other plants. The simplicity of the steps gives you the confidence to have a go. A great teaching resource. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Quarry Books, Quarto Group for an ARC.

[Marvy Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Quarto Publishing Group-Quarry via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.

What I like about this book gives is that you exactly what the title says, step by step how to draw flowers and plants. You can see that this book it's a work of art and love, Melissa Washburn gives so many options that you can you choose on which one you are going to focus first. So, no matter if you are an artist or maybe if you are like me trying to learn how to draw well. This book it's a great choice.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draw Like An Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is an excellent book for beginners but I think even experienced artists interested in increasing their abilities in drawing flowers and plants will benefit from this book. The author provides really great multiple picture examples breaking down the process for each plant and flower. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #DrawLikeAnArtist100FlowersAndPlants #nonfiction #drawing

[Finding My Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love painting but I can't draw at all. This book is great for me! This book is simple yet clear without written instructions for each piece. There are many designs to copy and since there are no words there is no need to read detailed instructions that are hard to understand. I also like that there are general technique directions that are applicable to all the pieces and just drawing in general.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great tool for non-artists, and artists unfamiliar with drawing nature, who want to learn how to approach drawing flowers and plants. It has straightforward instructions and the step-by-step drawings are large enough to see clearly, versus books where the finished piece is large and the how-to steps are thumbnails. There are so many lessons to choose from, it would keep you challenged for a while. A useful guide for artists of many levels of experience,

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy step-by-step illustrations on how to draw many flowers and plants. Enough to keep you drawing for hours. This would be a good reference book to have on hand if you find yourself needing to draw certain flowers or would just like to practice.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is a great art book for beginners or class rooms. There are some good techniques and advice offered in this book.