Nature, Doodle Flowers

Nature Series: How to doodle…

Today’s Feature: Flowers!

In our previous blog, we showed how to precisely color 6 different leaf shapes. Today, we will be expanding on the nature theme, but with flowers instead, showing off an atypical “doodling” coloring technique using both markers and pens. So, with that being said, let’s grab our Copic markers and get started!

The first thing you want to do before coloring is to figure out your palette! For each of the flowers I’ll be doodling, I tested out marker colors on a separate sheet of paper to be sure I’ve got an accurate palette. Notice that there are three different colors swatched for each flower: a dark, a mid-tone, and a light. In the next step, I will choose to focus on the mid-tone color so the flowers aren’t too pale or too dark. However, you can choose the lighter or darker colors if you want!

Once your swatching is complete, the next step is to color in a motion that best expresses the shape of the flower. For example, the rose was colored in a circular motion from the inside out, the marigold was colored in squiggles from the inside out, the lily colored in a cup shape, and so on. Similarly to when you were swatching the flower colors, we encourage you to have reference photos nearby while you complete this step as well. They’ll be a huge help in capturing the shape and color direction of the flowers accurately!

Once the coloring step is complete, the next step is to add the first outline layer using a Black Copic Multiliner pen. Simply trace over the petal shapes in a single pass, meaning in one stroke or layer. For example, I outlined all four petals for the pansy, the center of the sunflower and all of its petals, the center of the dahlia and all of its petals, etc.

Notice too how the outlining process isn’t exact, that the white of the paper is still showing through. This is what the doodling technique is all about; to show off the beautiful imperfections of drawing and coloring by hand!

*Note: The Multiliner nib width I used above is 0.5.

After the initial outline is complete, the next step is to add details. Remember, your flowers don’t have to look realistic, so if you want to create a plaid pattern, for example, in the center of the sunflower or daisy, feel free! The details added in this step with the Multiliner pen is a way to create depth to an otherwise flat layer of a single color.

The final step is to go over the outline of each flower one more time with a thicker nib to create contrast with the details that were just added. In the above example, I was using 0.5 for the details and 0.8 for the final outline. However, this step is optional and all about preference! If you like the look of using the same nib width throughout, then you don’t have to add this final step to your floral doodles.

Now that we’ve gone through how to complete this doodling technique, let’s put our coloring skills to the test and apply them to this bouquet drawing found in our line art gallery! Print the above 8.5 x 11 inch template at home on a sheet of paper suitable for markers.

Then, begin coloring the bouquet, using the technique of coloring in the direction of the petals. Work quickly and outside the lines to achieve the expressive effect of a doodle. Leave some of the whites of the paper showing as well to exaggerate the marker streaks!

Once you’ve colored your bouquet to your liking, you can frame this drawing, hang it up on your refrigerator, or gift it to a friend or loved one with a note on the back! Be sure to share your unique bouquet and/or flower doodles with us on social media using # CopicWithUs or tag us @copic_official_us.

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Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll be showing you how to doodle leaves with Copic markers and Multiliner pens!