Botanical line drawing is a relaxing and accessible way to start sketching. You don’t need to be “good at drawing” — simple shapes, gentle curves and a few repeated lines can create beautiful leafy designs that look elegant in journals, on cards or in sketchbooks.
This project focuses on loose, stylised plants, not perfect realism.
What You’ll Need
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Fineliner or drawing pen
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Pencil (optional, for light sketching first)
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Smooth sketchbook or mixed media paper
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Eraser (if sketching in pencil first)
That’s it — no paints or complicated tools required.
Step 1: Start with a Simple Stem
Lightly draw (or ink directly) a slightly curved line. This will be the stem of your plant.
Don’t make it ruler-straight — gentle curves feel more natural and organic.
You can:
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Let it lean to one side
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Add a slight wave
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Keep it short and simple
Step 2: Add Basic Leaf Shapes
Leaves can be very simple. Try these beginner-friendly shapes:
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Teardrop shape
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Long oval
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Almond shape
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Small rounded oval
Attach them to each side of the stem, alternating left and right as you go up.
✨ Tip: Leaves don’t have to match perfectly. Slight differences make the drawing feel more natural.
Step 3: Add Veins or Inner Lines
Once your leaf outlines are done, add a single line through the centre of each leaf for a vein.
You can also try:
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Short diagonal lines branching from the centre vein
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A few small dots along the stem
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Tiny lines at the base of each leaf
Keep it light and simple — too many details can make it feel busy.
Step 4: Try Different Leaf Styles
Now draw a second plant next to the first using a different leaf shape.
Ideas to try:
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Long, thin leaves for a eucalyptus-style stem
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Small round leaves for a berry or button-leaf look
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Pointed leaves for a slightly more dramatic plant
Repeating similar shapes creates a cohesive botanical style.
Step 5: Add Small Decorative Elements
To make your page feel fuller, add:
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Tiny dots scattered around
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Small sprigs with 3–4 mini leaves
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Simple berry shapes (little circles along a stem)
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A second overlapping stem
These little extras make the drawing feel like a botanical cluster.
Step 6: Ink and Erase (If Needed)
If you sketched in pencil first, go over your lines with fineliner once you’re happy with the shapes.
When the ink is fully dry, gently erase any pencil marks to leave clean, crisp line art.
Ways to Use Your Botanical Drawings
Your finished line drawings are perfect for:
📖 Decorating journal pages
💌 Designing handmade cards
🖤 Adding borders around lettering
🎨 Colouring later with paints or markers
🔖 Creating simple bookmarks or gift tags
You can keep them as clean black line art or add soft colour washes behind them for extra depth.
Botanical line drawing is all about slowing down and enjoying the process. With just a pen and a few simple shapes, you can create artwork that feels calm, elegant and uniquely yours 🌿💜
