Finding easy flower inspiration and flower drawing instructions online is not easy, but thankfully for all of us, Korean illustrator Kate Kyehyun Park, also known as @urbankate_in_ca on Instagram. She is not only sharing her step-by-step images on how to draw the flowers, but also graciously sharing how she paints her beautiful botanical drawings in watercolor.
So today I have compiled some of her most beautiful work to share with all of you. And of course, please follow her on Instagram for more of her absolutely gorgeous flower drawings and paintings.
Kate was born and raised in South Korea but is currently residing in California.
According to the 2019 line launch collaboration with Lilipinso, after Kate received her bachelor's degree in graphic art, she worked as a graphic designer in South Korea and then in the USA. She finds inspiration in many things from nature, but she prefers to draw plants from her imagination. Despite having studied various art techniques, she isn't concerned about perspective or technical errors. What matters to her is only creating an impression that inspires emotion. ~ Extracted from this picture.
Now that we know a little more about Kate, let's check out the different flowers she has shared with all of us on Instagram.
DRAWING TOOLS
I know that I have said it before in my other doodling post, but if you are just starting, use what you have on hand or get a cheap pack with a pencil, eraser, and sharpener.
But in case you are ready to get some more materials, below are some of my favorites! And remember to check my full list here for chalk, calligraphy, and more.
Pilot Dr. Grip Mechanical Pencil
This is one of my favorite mechanical pencils (especially the pink one). I love how thick this mechanical pencil is (0.5 mm). I always have it in my travel pencil case (if my boys don't steal it). The grip is super comfortable, and changing the lead to a softer one will give you so much control and shades.
Tombow Eraser
I love using this eraser for detailed lettering and illustration work. The tip is tiny, making it easy to erase tiny areas with precision, whether I’m cleaning up pencil guidelines, sharpening edges, or adding little highlights to my drawings. Because it erases only exactly where you need it, I don’t have to worry about disturbing the rest of my artwork.
Mechanical Pencil Set
I recently found this pack, and it's so good for beginners, and the 0.7 mm size is my favorite lead thickness; having a 0.9 as well is so wonderful! And while they come with HB leads. While there's different softness for the big lead. For the smaller pens, I like to get something softer, like a 2B. When I add different leads, I like to mark the pens with small labels.
Pentel Triangle Eraser
I first purchased this one while still in college back in Chile; it was the older version but the same concept. I love that the shape of the eraser gives you three points that you can use to be more precise; it's much better than the round ones, in my opinion. It's a great alternative if you don't have an eraser shield.
Staedtler Eraser
There are some things that, once you find the brand that you love, you just stick to it and never look back. For me, the Staedtler erasers are it. I've been using them since my early college years and greatly enjoy them!
Amazon drawing pack
If you want to experiment with the different softnesses of pencils, this pack offers 6 different softnesses of graphite pencils, 3 charcoal pencils, 1 sketch stick, 4 charcoal sticks, 1 pencil sharpener, 1 charcoal sharpener, 1 kneaded eraser, and 1 white plastic eraser.
Beginner Drafting Set
If you want to experience the different softnesses of leads and also get to use separate mechanical pencils for outlines (red, blue, and yellow), this set is such a good bang for your buck!
Beginner Drafting Set
This kit is just what you need when you want to make sure that your composition is on point. Making line and circle guides is a must to ensure that your letters are the same size in a word and that if you are making mirrored compositions, things are actually the same widths and angles. Later on, you might not need them as much, but while you train your eye and hand, guides are a must!
Sketching pack (50 pieces)
If you are looking for an even more complete option that is also very budget-friendly, this pack offers just about everything you would need (paper included). It even comes with a pouch so you can carry all your pencils and tools.
WATERCOLOR PAINTS
Below are some of my favorite watercolor options. Of course, just as with anything else, if you are just starting, you should use whatever you have on hand. The idea is to get practice under your belt first, and then you can up your materials to bring your work a level up!
Mungyo Watercolor Set
I love these watercolors. They're vibrant, easy to activate, and create such beautiful, rich color with very little effort. The pigments blend smoothly, layer beautifully, and make painting feel fun whether you’re adding watercolor touches to lettering, creating botanical illustrations, or simply playing with color. While they’re not the cheapest set out there, I think they’re an amazing mid-range option with fantastic color payoff.
Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink Bottles
I love this set. I use them for watercolor lettering, and they are stunning. It has great pigmentation, and you can even erase it on top of it without everything becoming a total mess, like all other watercolors. And you can never have too many Dr. Ph. Martin's inks!
Watercolor Brush Set
I love these brushes for all kinds of creative projects. The handles have a really comfortable grip, which makes long painting sessions feel easy on the hands, and the brushes themselves feel sturdy and well made. They have lasted me such a long time with regular use.
1 – POPPY FLOWER
The Oriental poppy is one of the most loved and recognizable poppy varieties, admired for its vibrant color, delicate texture, and graceful movement. While there are many species of poppies within the poppy family, the Oriental poppy is often the one most commonly painted and illustrated thanks to its bold, expressive blooms.
It is known for its soft, paper-like petals in beautiful shades of orange, scarlet red, coral, and salmon, often paired with dark centers and feathery green foliage. Poppies are a wonderful flower for beginners to draw because their petals are loose, organic, and imperfectly shaped, there’s no need for perfect symmetry. Their simple cup-like structure, flowing lines, and natural movement make them an ideal flower to practice confidence, gesture, and expressive botanical drawing.
How to draw a poppy flower
flower drawing
How to paint a poppy flower
2 – HYDRANGEAS
One of the most loved varieties of hydrangea includes ‘Nikko Blue’ and ‘Rhapsody Blue,’ both beautiful mophead varieties of bigleaf hydrangeas. These stunning blooms are known for their large, rounded clusters made up of dozens of small, delicate flowers that create a full, cloud-like appearance.
One of the most fascinating things about bigleaf hydrangeas is their ability to shift color depending on the soil conditions, ranging from soft sky blues and rich indigos to vibrant purples and lavender tones. Making each bloom feel like a little surprise from nature.
How to Draw Hydrangeas
How to paint Hydrangeas
I love how much detail Kate shares when painting her Hydrangeas, if you want to see a close-up of one little flower, check this video, it's perfect to complement the one below where she shares the full bloom.
3 – ROSE FLOWER
The rose flower is one of the most loved and recognizable flowers in the world, admired for its timeless beauty, soft layered petals, and elegant shape. While many people instantly picture a classic red rose, roses come in an incredible range of colors, including blush pinks, creamy whites, warm peaches, vibrant oranges, sunny yellows, and even deep purples.
Their blooms can also vary in shape. Some roses have tightly packed petals that form a perfect spiral at the center, while others open into loose, ruffled layers full of movement and texture. Rose bushes can be small and compact, tall and graceful, or climbing with long arching stems, often accented by glossy green leaves and delicate thorns. With so much variety in color, form, and personality, roses are a wonderful flower to study and draw.
How to Draw a Rose
I love the simple and beautiful rose that Kate decided to share with all of us. But also, if you are looking for another view of a rose, I have a full tutorial on how to draw a rose in 3 different ways. Check it here.
How to Paint a Rose
4 – COSMOS FLOWER
The cosmos is a delicate and cheerful flower known for its simple beauty, airy movement, and perfectly balanced petals. Most cosmos blooms feature a bright, open center surrounded by soft, evenly spaced petals that can be rounded, slightly ruffled, or gently pointed at the tips.
They come in beautiful shades of pink, magenta, white, coral, lavender, and even deep burgundy, often with sunny golden centers that attract butterflies and bees. With their open shape, clean lines, and playful personality, cosmos flowers are a wonderful subject for drawing and practicing loose, organic floral shapes.
How to draw a cosmos flower
How to paint Cosmo flower
Check out her other video showing how to paint cosmos flowers here (at the end of the slide).
5 – TULIP FLOWER
The tulip is a graceful and elegant flower known for its smooth, cup-shaped bloom and clean, simple lines. Tulips typically grow on long, sturdy stems with broad, soft leaves that gently curve upward around the base. Their petals are smooth and symmetrical, usually forming a rounded cup or slightly pointed shape that can open wider as the flower matures.
Tulips come in an incredible variety of colors, from classic reds, pinks, yellows, and whites to rich purples, oranges, and even multicolored varieties with beautiful striped or blended petals. With their simple structure, soft curves, and timeless beauty, tulips are a wonderful flower to practice drawing, whether you prefer clean botanical lines or a more loose and whimsical style.
How to Draw Tulips
How to paint Tulips
6 – GERANIUM FLOWER
The geranium is a cheerful and full-bodied flower known for its clustered blooms and charming garden presence. Instead of growing as a single flower, geraniums bloom in rounded clusters made up of many small blossoms, creating a full, almost pom-pom-like shape. Each tiny flower typically has five soft petals, often slightly overlapping, with delicate variations in size and shape that add natural movement.
Geraniums come in beautiful shades of red, pink, coral, salmon, purple, and white, sometimes with darker markings or subtle color variations on the petals. Their stems are sturdy, their leaves are rounded with softly scalloped edges, and the foliage typically has a rich green color with subtle patterns.
How to draw a geranium flower
This flower drawing is one of my personal favorites, I love how much detail you can add to your sketch. And also Geranium flowers smell so good! So, you can't blame me!
How to paint a Geranium flower
If you want another example of how to paint a Geranium flower with watercolor, Kate also shared this video here.
7 – SUNFLOWER
The sunflower is a bold and joyful flower known for its large blooms, bright petals, and unmistakable sunny personality. Sunflowers are made up of a large round center filled with tiny textured seeds, surrounded by layers of long, slightly pointed petals that radiate outward like rays of sunshine.
With their strong structure, beautiful symmetry, and rich textures, sunflowers are a wonderful flower to draw when practicing bold shapes, layered petals, and expressive botanical details.
How to draw a Sunflower
How to paint a Sunflower
If you want to see Kate paint the other flower shown in the picture, check out her other videos here and also here.
8 – DAFFODIL
The daffodil is a bright and cheerful flower that often signals the arrival of spring. It is known for its unique shape, featuring six soft outer petals that surround a trumpet-shaped center, giving the bloom its signature elegant and playful look.
Daffodils are most commonly seen in sunny shades of yellow, but they can also bloom in white, cream, peach, and soft orange, sometimes with contrasting centers. Their stems are long, smooth, and slender, paired with narrow, blade-like leaves that grow upright from the base. With their graceful structure, bold center, and delicate petals, daffodils are a wonderful flower to draw when practicing layered shapes, soft curves, and spring-inspired botanical details.
How to draw a Daffodil
How to paint a Daffodil
9 – CALLA LILLY
The calla lily is an elegant and sculptural flower known for its smooth, flowing shape and graceful curves. Unlike flowers with many petals, the calla lily features a single trumpet-like bloom that gently wraps around itself, creating a beautiful spiral or funnel shape.
At its center stands a slender spike, adding contrast and structure to the soft curves of the flower. Calla lilies are commonly seen in classic white, but they also bloom in shades of cream, yellow, pink, coral, purple, and even deep burgundy. Their stems are long, sleek, and upright, paired with broad arrow-shaped leaves that often have a soft, glossy finish.
How to draw a Calla Lily
This last calla lily flower drawing is one of the most simple ones, but they are just so cool!
How to paint a Calla Lily
If you want to see another video of a watercolor painting of a calla lily, check this video.
10 – APPLE BLOSSOM
The apple blossom is a delicate and romantic flower that appears in early spring, covering apple trees with soft clusters of blooms. Each blossom usually has five rounded petals that open into a gentle star-like shape, typically surrounding a center filled with tiny golden stamens.
The flowers grow in small clusters, giving the tree an airy, cloud-like appearance, while the fresh green leaves and slender branches add natural movement and charm. With their soft petals, delicate details, and graceful clustered composition, apple blossoms are a lovely flower to draw when practicing light shapes, subtle texture, and romantic botanical illustrations.
How to draw apple blossoms
If you want to see Kate drawing an apple blossom, you can check this video here.
How to paint Apple blossoms
In conclusion
If you are looking for wonderful flower drawing and painting references, follow Kate on Instagram her feed is full of awesome flower painting videos and simple tutorials so that you too can draw pretty flowers =]
Maha
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
Cute
Toa
Monday 30th of August 2021
Wow
Lauren
Tuesday 8th of September 2020
Loving the simple flowers
Nani
Tuesday 8th of September 2020
I love the tutorial pictures
serena @bigapplenosh
Sunday 8th of September 2019
Joy, this is so cute!