- Software: Inkscape (or Illustrator)
- Level: Beginner
- Subject: Hibiscus Flower
This will be a simple step by step tutorial on illustrating a Hibiscus Flower using Inkscape.
Sketch
Use GIMP, any other graphics editors like Photoshop, or even on paper, to create a simple sketch of the hibiscus flower.
You do not need to focus on details. Just the rough shape and composition should be sketched, as we will be creating an illustration out of it.
Illustrate Petals
Import the sketch into Inkscape.
Use the Bezier Curve and Straight Line tool [Shift]+[F6] to mark out the main shape.
Use the Edit Path Nodes tool [F2] to shape these lines to curves, using the sketch as guide.
Draw another set of lines, just marking out the white area of the petals. You can ignore the Pistil and Stamens for now.
Shape them too with the Edit Path Node tool.
Give both these shapes the colors. You can keep the outline of the outer shape to create another gradation. For the inner shape, switch off the outline stroke.
Pistil And Stamen
This is the part of the flower that comes out from the center, and forms the reproductive parts of the plants.
Send back the two sets of shapes you had created for the petal, under the sketch, and then start shaping the remaining part. Remember to make its outline a bit thinner.
Now you can send back the sketch layer or even delete it.
Details
You can give another set of details, like the lighter hue on the petals, and more details on the stamens.
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Nice article! Sketching it out first gives it a more hand-drawn look which is refreshing.
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Thanks, Jude!
I usually follow two different workflows when I work with Inkscape depending on the style of outcome I wish.
For a more symmetric/geometric look, the artwork is constructed out of basic shapes. For a more hand-drawn/assymmetric look (like this one), I do a quick sketch in GIMP.
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this rocks! i tried drawing so many flower sketches but this is the best
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Pingback from Tutorials, Tags and more | KalaaLog on July 21, 2008 at 12:01 pm
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Thank you, great tutorial! – http://aquariumhell.deviantart.com/art/Flower-93132069 – my own minor variant.
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That looks great aquariumhell!
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awesome sketch!!! it helped me on my art project a lot
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You can also draw the sketch in Inkscape using the calligraphic brush.
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Yes we can nicu.
I just am totally addicted to GIMP when it comes to free form. With GIMP+Wacom, it almost as good as the real thing – and I usually prefer to go through that approach when I would not be using those initial strokes.
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Very nice form. Hibiscus are simple pleasures. I need to learn more calligraphy.
great site!
Ash
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very nice tutorial… thanks for sharing..
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You wrote:
“You can keep the outline of the outer shape to create another gradation.
I can’t seem to figure out how you do this. Please help.
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Don, if you observe the final image, you will notice that all the shapes except the most outer one, have their outline stroke switched off. For the outer shape alone, keep the outline switched on, and the stroke color to a darker hue. That will save you from creating another shape just for the outline.
This screenshot from Inkscape may help you understand better.
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Thank you for your detailed answer. Much appreciated.
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