Today’s tutorial is special. We’re drawing dead roses.
A dead rose symbolizes many things in life. Just as a fresh rose is often associated with beauty and love, a dead one represents the fading or loss of love.
In the world of art, a dead rose, with its withered petals and intricate details, can be visually captivating. Drawing a dead rose varies in meaning and purpose, too. You can use it as a way to convey feelings of melancholy, nostalgia, or reflection. Or you’re using it to complement your drawing context.
No matter the purpose, we’ll show you a simple guide on how to draw a dead rose in this article. From faded colors to wilted petals, we’ll teach you everything in detail.
Let’s get into the mood and start drawing!
How to Draw a Dead Rose Flower – Step by Step Tutorial
Note: Click the slider arrow (or push arrow keys) to see step-by-step.
Note that in this tutorial, we’re drawing a compilation of two dead roses drooping in reverse directions. Parts of these roses will be sketched first (including the stems, sepals, petals, leaves, and thorns), and we’ll choose an appropriate palette to color them later.
Have you got the general progress? Good! Let’s explore the first step!
Step 1:
- Begin by drawing the main stem of the rose. Starting at the base, draw a couple of curving lines heading upwards. Note that these lines don’t need to be parallel or straight upwards. Plus, Make them bend and fluctuate to represent the stem’s loss of vitality.
- Identify where you want the stem to droop. Then, extend it downward in a gentle curve. The curve should be smooth and natural, resembling the way a real rose stem droops under its own weight.
- Connect the bases of two lines while leaving their tips open for the following details.
Well, you’ve just nailed the first stem. With the same technique, draw the second one, which varies slightly in shape and direction. You can make it intertwine with the first one for a vibrant look.
Step 2: The next part to draw is sepals. Let’s practice to create three of them first.
Since the dead rose is drooping, their sepals will head downwards. Draw small, elongated leaf shapes with a point at the tip and irregular, wavy edges.
Step 3: Repeat the process to draw the remaining sepals on the rose. Here, we’re drawing five sepals at all.
Remember that sepals can vary in size and shape. So you can make some slightly larger or smaller, longer or shorter than others. Place them around the base of the rose and have them point downwards in various directions.
Step 4: If you’ve finished the first rose’s sepals, turn to the second one. Since this rose is drooping in a different direction and angle, its sepals’ direction will also be changed. Now, you vary your strokes to make some sepals head downwards while some head sidewards.
Step 5: Well, it’s time to manage the most challenging part of this drawing – the petals.
To remind you, dead roses typically have wilted, drooping petals. Additionally, some petals may have already fallen off the flower. Then, it’s essential to depict any loose or fallen petals in your drawing to add realism.
Now, sketch the outline of the petal using a light, wavy line. Make sure the top edges of the petals are uneven, with some parts curving outward.
Then, draw a smaller petal upon the first one, with curved edges and a pointy tip.
Step 6: Repeat the process to draw more wilted, drooping petals on your rose. Each petal should have a slightly different shape, curve, and orientation. Plus, overlap some petals to create a natural and layered appearance.
Step 7: Add one last petal at the top to finish the look.
Step 8: Let’s move to the second rose. Start at the center of the base, draw a slightly oval shape, nearly pointy on the tip, to represent a bud where the remaining petals are still tightly closed.
Around the bud, draw a couple of petals with slight waves or irregular edges.
And the rose heads are finished.
Step 9: We’ll sketch the leaves next. Determine where you want to place the leaves on the stem. Some leaves should point upwards, while others should droop downwards to reflect the withering of the plant.
Rose leaves are typically ovate or elliptical in shape. However, for the withered effect, add irregularities to the leaf shape.
Step 10: Finally, add thorns along the stems. Thorns can vary in size and shape, so draw them irregularly along the stems of both roses. It’s easy to sketch thorns’ shape. This can be done by drawing a small triangle or a fine, pointed tip extending from the stems.
Step 11: Good news: We’ve done the sketch. The left part is coloring and refinement.
Dead roses can exhibit various colors, from muted and faded versions of their original hue to shades of brown, black, or gray. Choose a color from the palette for your roses’ petals and apply a base coat first. Here, we choose a hue of faded red rose.
Step 12: Apply a layer of brighter red along the top edges to create variations in the petals’ color.
Step 13: Next, choose a muted green shade to color the stems, sepals, and thorns. You might also use browns, tans, or grays to represent the withering and drying of these parts. These colors can give the appearance of decay.
Conclusion
Now, finish the rest of this drawing by coloring the leaves. You can give it a muted greenish-brown tone to create a withered appearance while maintaining a sense of plant. For curved parts that reveal the leaves’ lower sides, use a slightly darker hue for a natural-looking effect.
Make final adjustments. Boom! You’ve got an expressive drawing of dead roses.
We thought your dead roses carried a specific meaning and purpose. While it might meet your expectations, you can still elevate it for a better result.
Here, we’re talking about adding intricate details to the petals, stems, and leaves to achieve a more realistic look. The best way is to search for images on the internet for reference.
Or you could draw your dead rose against a black background to create a dramatic effect. Or you could incorporate elements (such as a skull, a vase, or a bird’s nest) that add context or tell a story.
When you’re stuck, look at other artists’ flower drawings for inspiration or gather ideas from sharing your artwork with others. Experiment and see what works best for you.
