How to Draw a Lily Flower - Digital Drawing Ideas

Ever wanted to learn how to draw a lily flower but felt overwhelmed by all those petals and details?
I totally get it! I used to feel the same way. Whenever I saw lilies in real life or in illustrations, I thought, “Wow… gorgeous. But no way I could draw that.”

Well, good news: you can draw it—and I’m here to guide you through it with a super simple, step-by-step tutorial I created just for you!

As someone who’s obsessed with cute flower drawings (seriously, I have sketchbooks full of petals), I wanted to make a lily tutorial that’s friendly, fun, and perfect for beginners. Whether you’re drawing in your journal, decorating a greeting card, or just want to relax with a creative moment—this one’s for you.

how to draw a lily flower - lily drawing

Why lilies?

Lilies are elegant, timeless, and surprisingly easy to draw if you break them down into simple shapes. Plus, they’re incredibly satisfying to color at the end!

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a cute lily flower drawing from scratch using 15 simple steps.
The best part? You’ll only need basic tools—just a pencil, some paper, and maybe your favorite coloring supplies for the final flourish.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Start with the First Petal

Let’s begin by drawing the first petal of our lily flower! Create a curved, teardrop-like shape tilted slightly to the left, as shown in red.

Notice how the bottom edge has a small dip to give the petal a more natural, organic look.

Keep your lines smooth and gentle—this is just the start, so no need to stress about perfection!

Step 2: Add the Second Petal

Now let’s give our lily another petal! Draw a second, similar teardrop shape on the right side of the first petal.

Notice how it slightly overlaps at the base where the two petals meet.

This overlapping helps make the flower look more natural and full.

Keep your lines soft and flowing, like delicate flower petals.

Step 3: Sketch the Stamen Stems

Time to add some details to the center of our lily! Draw three thin, slightly curved lines rising up from where the two petals meet.

These will form the stems of the stamens, which give the flower its characteristic look.

Vary the angles a little so they don’t all point the same way—this will make it feel more lively and natural.

Step 4: Draw the Stamen Tips

Next, add small oval shapes at the ends of each stamen stem. These are the anthers, where the pollen sits.

Make them slightly tilted in different directions to keep the drawing dynamic and realistic.

Now your lily is starting to show its beautiful center details!

Step 5: Add the Third Petal

Let’s give our lily more bloom! Draw a taller petal behind the stamens, starting from the center and arching upward.

This petal is slightly narrower and longer than the first two, giving the flower extra height and elegance.

Don’t worry if it overlaps the stamens a little—that’s exactly how real lilies grow!

Step 6: Draw the Fourth Petal

Now it’s time to add a petal below the first two. Sketch a slightly narrower petal pointing downward from the center of the flower.

This one helps fill in the bloom and makes your lily look fuller and more balanced.

Keep the curve gentle so it flows naturally with the others.

Step 7: Add the Fifth Petal

Let’s complete the flower’s bloom with one last petal! Draw a curved petal on the upper right side, peeking out from behind the others.

This petal adds depth and makes your lily look even more lush.

Keep the curve soft and let it overlap slightly with the front petals for a natural layered effect.

Step 8: Add the Sixth Petal

Here we go—time to draw the sixth petal! Sketch a smaller, slightly curved petal peeking out from behind the first one on the upper left.

This petal adds even more fullness and makes your lily look extra lush. Keep its shape soft and natural so it blends beautifully with the others.

Step 9: Draw the Last Petal

Here’s the final petal to complete your lily’s bloom! Add a small, curved petal on the lower left side, tucking it behind the others.

This one helps fill in the flower’s shape and gives it a natural, layered look.

Now your lily looks full and perfectly balanced!

Step 10: Draw the Flower Base

Add a small curved shape beneath the petals where they all meet. This is the base of the flower, which will later connect to the stem. It helps anchor the petals and gives your lily a more complete, natural look.

Step 11: Draw the Stem

Let’s give our lily a strong stem! Draw two long, slightly curved lines extending down from the base of the flower.

Connect them at the bottom with a rounded tip.

Keep the lines smooth and flowing so the stem looks natural and elegant.

Step 12: Draw the First Leaf

Time to add some greenery! Draw a long, pointed leaf curving gracefully out to the right of the stem. Make it wide at the base and taper it to a sharp tip.

This leaf brings balance to your lily and starts to make it look more complete.

Step 13: Add the Second Leaf

Let’s balance things out with another leaf! Draw a smaller, curved leaf on the left side of the stem. Angle it downward so it complements the first leaf. This touch of greenery gives your lily a natural, graceful look.

Step 14: Add Little Details Around the Lily

Let’s make your drawing even more lively! Draw small flower shapes and oval petals scattered around your lily.

These fun little details give the artwork a whimsical, decorative touch—like the flower is surrounded by falling petals and tiny blooms.

Step 15: Add Color to Your Lily

Now for the fun part—coloring! Fill in the petals with a soft pink, the leaves and stem with a fresh green, and the stamen tips with a warm yellow.

Use bright shades for the tiny flowers and scattered petals around the lily to make your artwork pop.

Feel free to experiment with your favorite colors to give your lily its own unique style!

Want more floral fun?

If you enjoyed drawing this lily, I think you’ll love these step-by-step flower tutorials too:

And of course, don’t forget to explore even more drawing ideas and inspiration over on my Pinterest page. It’s a cozy little corner full of creative cuteness waiting for you!

Final thoughts

Drawing lilies might seem tricky at first—but with the right approach and a little patience, it turns into a peaceful, joyful experience.
Remember, your version doesn’t need to look exactly like mine. That’s the beauty of art—it’s yours. Every petal, every line, every splash of color tells your story.

So if you’re ever stuck wondering how to draw a lily flower, come back to this post, grab a pencil, and give it another try.

You’ve got this. I believe in your creativity 🌸

Now it’s your turn!

Have you tried this lily flower drawing? I’d love to see it!
Tag me on Instagram @digitaldrawingideas or drop a comment on Pinterest.
Let’s build a creative, flower-loving community together!