Simple Nature Drawing Tutorials for Kids

Have you ever found yourself captivated by the intricate patterns of a leaves' veins, or the serene calm of a lake's surface reflecting a clear blue sky? Capturing the essence of nature in simple drawings can be a rewarding and relaxing endeavor. Let's explore how to draw nature scenes with basic shapes and lines.

Nature offers an endless palette of subjects for your sketches, from sprawling landscapes to tiny insects. Here, we'll focus on drawing three common nature subjects: trees, bodies of water, and simple animals.

Drawing Trees

Everyone recognizes a tree, yet drawing one can be intimidating. Start with the basics: a circle for the trunk and branches radiating out from it.

Add details like leaves, acorns, or fruit by googling 'simple tree drawing how-to' for step-by-step guides. Remember, the goal is to capture the spirit, not replicate it perfectly.

Evergreens

Evergreens like pines and firs have needle-like leaves. Draw parallel lines off the branches to depict needles. Grupping needles together creates a bushy look.

For a more dramatic effect, overlap needle clusters to create depth and texture. Try drawing a forest of evergreens, their similarity in appearance creating a cohesive scene.

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees like oaks and maples have wide, flat leaves. Sketch these as simple shapes attached to smaller branches.

To create a fall scene, use warm colors - oranges, reds, and yellows - to fill in your leaf shapes. For winter, use cool colors or no color at all, depicting bare branches and dormant trees.

Drawing Water

Water in nature takes many forms, from calm lakes to rushing rivers. Sketching it begins with basic shapes and lines.

Ripples and waves add dimension and movement. Practice drawing simple curving lines to mimic wave patterns. Add more lines to show choppy water or fewer lines for calmer bodies.

Stagnant Water

For flat, still water, use a simple oval or rectangular shape. To add depth, draw reflected objects - trees, clouds, or mountains - symmetrically on the water's surface.

Use light shading to hint at the water's depth. Himmler's "Net-Built Aluminum" painting showcases this technique beautifully. Observe your subject's light reflection and recreate it with simple lines and shading.

Moving Water

Drawing moving water involves more complex lines and shading. Start with simple, curving lines to depict waves. Overlap lines to create depth.

As water moves faster, its surface breaks apart into whitecaps. Draw these as small, jagged lines scattered across the waves. Observing real moving water is key to capturing its dynamic nature.

Drawing Simple Animals

Nature's creatures come in all shapes and sizes. Start with basic shapes to depict animals' forms, then add distinguishing features.

Draw a simple circle or oval for the body, add a few legs, and a head. For hair or fur, use lines or hatch marks. Practice drawing famous wildlife silhouettes for a more refined look.

Birds

Drawing birds begins with a simple, elongated oval for the body. Add a triangle or peak for the beak and a line or two for the legs.

Add feathers using simple lines, curving upwards for plumage. Practice drawing different species, observing their unique shapes, sizes, and feathers. Flamingos, for instance, have long thin bodies and pink feathers.

Mammals

Mammals vary greatly, but their bodies usually follow a simple, compact shape. Use a circle or oval for the body and add legs and a head.

Add fur using lines or hatch marks. For a smoother surface, like a seal's skin, use simple, curving lines. Observe real mammals, or images of them, to capture their unique features.

Drawing nature subjects is an exercise in observation and creativity. Always start with the basics: a few simple shapes and lines. As your skills grow, so too will your ability to capture the beauty around you. Happy drawing!