How to Draw Flames Step by Step Guide

Drawing flames can seem daunting, but with a little practice and these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be drawing beautiful flames in no time.

Materials Needed

To draw flames, you’ll need the following materials:

Paper
Pencil (preferably a mechanical pencil)
Eraser
Coloured pencils / Markers / Pastel / Brush pens etc. for shading

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing Flames

Step 1: Basic Shapes

Start by drawing the basic shape of the flame.

Draw an elongated oval shape for the base of the flame.
Draw a teardrop shape extending out from the top of the oval shape.
Draw several curved lines extending from the top of the teardrop shape to form the flames’ points.

Step 2: Flame Length and Direction

To make your flames look more realistic, adjust the length and direction of each flame.

Draw longer and more pointy flames at the top of the flame.
Draw shorter and rounder flames at the base of the flame.
Flames tend to curve upwards, so adjust each flame’s direction accordingly.

Step 3: Add Detail

Add detail to the flame shape and make it more realistic looking.

Draw quick short strokes of different lengths to add texture to the flames.
Draw thin curves along the flames to create the illusion of heat.
Add small flames coming out from the base of the flame to make it more natural.

Step 4: Shading and Coloring

Finish your flame drawing by coloring and shading the flames.

Choose the colours that you want for flames.
Start with a lighter shade of the color you picked and gently shade along the entire flame.
Pick a darker shade of the same colour and shade the edges, lines, and shadows in the flame.
Blend the colours with the help of a blending tool or with your own fingers.

Step 5: Adding highlights

Adding highlights increases the visual impact of the creation. Draw thin white lines along the edges of the flames to show intensity.

Step 6: Background

To make your flames stand out against an appropriate background, draw the object’s shadows behind them.

Step 7: Finishing touches

The last step is to add final touches and sharpen the edges of the flames by going over and fixing any mistakes.

FAQs

1. Is it mandatory to use coloured pencils? Can I use any other medium, like markers for shading?

You can use any medium you prefer for shading, like markers, pastel, brush pens, or even watercolour. It depends on your personal preference.

2. How do you determine where the shadows go?

The shadow may be mostly on the surface opposite where the light source is. It will depend on the position of the object.

3. How do I make my flames look more realistic?

Adding shadows, highlights, and more subtle details might help to give your flames realism. Keep practising!

4. What angles should I use while shading?

Always shade along the base and outer edge to retain a sense of light that helps reach across the flame.

5. Can I use ink pens for highlighting?

Yes, you can use ink pens or fine point markers for highlighting.

6. How can I prevent smudging while shading flames?

While shading, always keep a separate sheet or cloth underneath your hand to prevent smudging. You can also wait for shading to dry before adding any other details.

Conclusion

Drawing flames may seem complex, but with these easy step-by-step instructions and a little practice, you can easily master the skill. Keep practicing and experimenting with different flame shapes, colors, and details until you get the ideal combination. You’ll be amazed how soon you’ll be able to create dazzling flame illustrations.