Daisies look simple, but once I tried drawing them, I realized they have a lot of detail. I’ve drawn them many times in my sketchbook and found a loose, expressive style works best. This guide on how to draw a daisy step by step focuses on observation and simplicity—not perfection.
In the beginning, I made the mistake of overthinking every petal. I wanted each one to match, which made my drawings stiff. Eventually, I learned to let the petals bend and twist naturally. That’s when my sketches started to feel more alive.
You don’t need fancy tools. I use whatever I have—sometimes just a ballpoint pen. It’s more about noticing the shapes than trying to get every line perfect.
If you're just getting into flower drawing, I also recommend checking out some of my other step-by-step tutorials, like how to draw a rose step by step or how to draw a sunflower step by step. These all follow a similar process based on observational drawing and are great companions to this daisy tutorial.
Key Points
- Start with large, simple shapes to map out the overall proportions of your daisy.
- Use messy, expressive lines—don't worry about perfection.
- Observe petal placement carefully, but don’t try to make every petal identical.
How to Draw a Daisy Step by Step
Before you begin, grab whatever tool you have on hand. I often use a cheap gel pen or a dull pencil. There’s no right or wrong material—what matters is learning to see. Drawing should feel low-pressure, like scribbling in the margins of a notebook.
Step 1: Draw the center of the daisy
I always begin with the center. Sketch a light circle—this will be the anchor for your petals. Daisies typically have a rounded, textured center that’s slightly raised. I keep this loose, almost scribbly. If it’s a little off-center, that’s fine. Sometimes I even draw two or three circles and decide which one feels best once I start adding petals.
One trick I use is to imagine the center as a soft, spongey ball. It helps me avoid drawing a stiff, flat shape. Think round, but also natural—like a slightly uneven puff.
Step 2: Add the guideline for petal layout
Before diving into individual petals, I like to sketch a light circle around the center. This acts like a boundary or guide to help keep my petal lengths somewhat consistent. I don’t measure anything, but I do take a moment to eyeball how far out I want the petals to go. If you make this circle too small, your daisy will feel crowded. Too large, and it might lose that compact feel.
This step also helps with spacing. Daisies have petals that radiate almost evenly around the center, like spokes on a wheel. Even though I’ll break that symmetry later to make it more natural, having this guide gives me a starting point.
Step 3: Draw the larger petal shapes
Now I begin placing the larger shapes of the petals. Daisies have long, narrow petals that taper slightly at the tips. I draw them radiating out from the center, using fluid, confident strokes. They overlap, tilt, and vary in size—and that’s what gives the drawing personality.
I usually start by drawing petals at the top, bottom, and sides—like the points on a compass. This helps me keep the spacing balanced. Then I fill in the gaps, adjusting the angles as I go. Some petals will end up longer or shorter, and that’s fine. I often draw a few that curve inward or droop slightly to break the rhythm.
At this stage, I try to work quickly and loosely. I don’t overthink each line. If something feels off, I just draw another petal over it. This is one of the advantages of working in pen or without erasing—you learn to roll with imperfections.
Step 4: Add more petals and build layers
Once you have your main set of petals, start layering in some background ones. These can peek out between the front petals or bend at different angles. This adds depth and makes the daisy feel more three-dimensional.
I like to suggest some movement in the petals by drawing a slight curve or twist. Not every petal needs this, but a few here and there go a long way. I sometimes use a lighter hand for these background petals so they don’t compete with the ones in front.
If you’re feeling unsure about layering, try looking at reference photos or real daisies. Notice how the petals don’t sit flat—they often overlap and shift in space.
Step 5: Refine and add texture
Go back over your lines and darken the ones that feel right. I might scribble lightly in the center to suggest texture or use hatching to shade areas of the petals. Think of it like editing—you’re deciding which lines to emphasize.
I don’t try to shade everything evenly. I look for places where a petal overlaps another or bends at the edge, and I’ll add a little extra line weight there. Sometimes I’ll leave parts of the petals unfinished or lightly sketched. That contrast gives the drawing a nice rhythm.
In the center of the daisy, I often use dots or scribbles to create a fuzzy texture. This mimics the look of the flower’s seeds or pollen. Don’t be afraid to make a mess here—it actually helps it feel more organic.
Step 6: Optional stem and leaves
If you want to place the daisy in context, sketch a quick stem underneath and a few long, narrow leaves. Daisy stems are usually thin and slightly wavy. The leaves vary a lot depending on the species, but I keep mine simple and expressive.
You can refer to my how to draw leaf vines step by step tutorial if you want to practice some more foliage. Adding leaves can also help balance your composition, especially if your daisy ended up a bit off-center.
Drawing Daisies in Your Sketchbook
I’ve drawn daisies in wildflower fields, in gardens, and even from memory. The more you draw them, the more you’ll notice the quirks in how their petals grow—some stand tall, some droop, some bend backwards. Don’t aim for a perfect daisy. Aim for a believable one.
Sometimes I’ll draw a full daisy, other times just a cluster of petals or the center. I treat these as warmups. It’s okay to fill a page with experiments. That’s how you get more comfortable.
And if you’re working on drawing a variety of flowers, check out my tutorials on how to draw a cherry blossom, how to draw a lily, or how to draw a peony. Each flower teaches something different about shape, rhythm, and texture.
Embracing Imperfection and Messy Lines
One of the biggest shifts in my own sketchbook practice came when I stopped trying to make every line clean and every drawing accurate. Daisies taught me that. They’re so forgiving—wobbly lines and overlapping petals just make them feel more alive.
When I teach people how to draw, whether it’s flowers or realistic trees, I always come back to the same idea: draw what you see, not what you think it’s supposed to look like. And keep it fun.
If a petal looks weird, I just add another one or draw over it. If the center is too big, I surround it with a few more petals to balance it out. This mindset helps me keep drawing, rather than getting stuck or frustrated.
I also recommend revisiting your old daisy drawings every now and then. Flip back through your sketchbook and notice how your lines have changed, or how your petal shapes have evolved. You’ll see progress that isn’t always obvious day to day.
If you're ready to keep going, I've got more tutorials like how to draw a calla lily, how to draw a lotus, and how to draw a hydrangea. These flowers all have their own personalities, and they’re great for stretching your drawing muscles in new directions.