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    Home » Printables » How To Draw Tutorials

    How To Draw a Cactus Step-By-Step Tutorial

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    cactus drawings

    Learn how to draw a cactus with our easy step-by-step tutorial, perfect for all ages and a fun way to explore desert artistry.

    cactus drawing

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    This How to Draw a Cactus easy steps tutorial is so much fun. It is a simple drawing lesson for kids of all ages.

    This fun and easy art project is sure to bring a little of that desert charm into your homes and classrooms! Today we're going to learn how to draw a cactus, those tough little plants that thrive where other plants fear to tread! 

    This easy step-by-step guide is perfect for your kiddos to build their drawing skills and create a cool cactus picture. So, gather your art supplies, and let's get started!

    cactus and a cactus flower

    Spiky Cactus from The Desert

    This drawing lesson isn't just about creating a super cute realistic cactus sketch. It's also about understanding and appreciating the different forms that nature throws our way. 

    Cacti are wonderful examples of nature's adaptability, surviving and even thriving in some of the harshest conditions. When I say other plants fear to tread I mean it! In a lot of places where cacti live, nothing else does!

    The spiky appearance, which is the plant's way of conserving water, makes them really unique. You'll know what I'm talking about if you've ever accidentally brushed into one! Maybe if the kids draw them, they can avoid that painful experience!

    We're going to be drawing a simple, tall cactus planted in a cute little pot. Think about the type of cactus you'd like to draw. Is it a tall one with smaller arms sticking out like a pine tree? Or perhaps one with oval branches like a prickly pear? Don't worry if you're unsure - the great thing about this drawing tutorial is that it's adaptable to any skill level and any type of cactus you want to sketch!

    cute cactus drawing

    Cactus Drawings

    It's always a great time to explore desert themes, don't you think? And the great thing about cacti is that they come in so many different shapes and sizes. Just like us!  Remember to let them know that just as every cactus is unique and suited to its environment, so are they.

    Drawing and discussing these plants can open up conversations with your kids about biodiversity, adaptation, and the beauty in diversity (or just let them enjoy the process of creating! Both are good lessons!)

    You could even plan an entire week around this theme, including coloring pages with different types of cacti, crafting sessions making 3D paper cactus and paint, and maybe even a non-fiction book or two about deserts. 

    There you have it, our fun, engaging, and simple guide on how to draw a cactus. I hope this lesson was as fun for you as it was for us. And don't worry if your first attempt didn't turn out as you expected. Drawing is a skill, and like all skills, it gets better with practice. So keep trying, and with every drawing, you'll see improvement! Happy Drawing!

    easy cactus drawing

    Simple Cactus Drawing Tutorials for Kids

    Learning to draw items in nature is always a lot of fun for drawers of any age. We love breaking down each of the drawings into simple steps. It's an easy way for kids of any age to follow along and create their own cactus drawing.

    We've also created an easy tutorial with step-by-step instructions that are free to print at the bottom of the blog post. I also think having the printable drawing guide helps in making these drawings come to life.

    If you love drawing tutorials as much as we do, then you will not want to miss some of our other fun drawing lessons.

    • Cone Drawing
    • Bow Tie Drawing
    • Rainbow Drawing
    • Cube Drawing
    • Crown Drawing
    • Pumpkin Drawing

    Before you start drawing, we also want to make sure you have the right tools. Here are the drawing paper, and drawing pencils that we like to use.

    Now how to draw a cactus step by step!!

    simple cactus drawing

    How To Draw a Cactus Plant

    step 1 draw the pot of the cactus

    Start by drawing the cactus flower pot. Draw the top of the pot with a thin rectangle with round edges. From there draw a U shape. This will be the bottom of the picture so make sure you're drawing the pot towards the bottom of the sheet of paper.

    step 2 draw the arms of the cactus

    Next, draw a circle coming out of the top of the pot. This will be the small cactus stem. Then draw a larger oval shape out of the other side of the top of the pot and this will be the main stem or main trunk of the cactus drawing.

    step 3 draw the ribs of the cactus

    Next, draw curving lines down the length of each of the cactus arms. These are the rib lines of the cactus.

    step 4 how to draw a cactus flower

    Next is to draw a cactus flower at the top of the cactus. Draw a simple curving line creating the flower with a small circle in the middle.

    step 5 draw the thorns of a cactus

    Next, draw short lines around the outside of the two cactus arms. These are the sharp spikes of your cactus.

    step 6 outline the cactus drawing

    The final step is to outline the cactus with a black pen on the final lines and erase any extra lines you had while sketching the cactus.

    cactus sketch

    The last step is to treat your new realistic cactus drawing as a coloring page and color in your cactus with your favorite crayons, colored pencils, markers, or even watercolor paint.

    Happy Drawing!

    We highlighted these Simple Easy Drawings along with some other fun kid's crafts in our Summer Crafts as well as May Crafts For Nationa Cactus Day- May 10th as well as our 101+ Kid's Crafts.

    You also do not want to miss our 101+ Coloring Pages and 101+ Printables full of Crafts and Coloring Pages.

    Nature Drawing

    Other Fun Nature Drawings You'll Enjoy

    • Flower Drawing
    • Rose Drawing
    • Earth Drawing
    • Sun Drawing
    • Mushroom Drawing
    how to draw cactus

    Download Free Printable Cactus Drawing Tutorial

    Enter your email address in the form below and you'll be taken directly to the Cactus Drawing Step-By-Step Tutorial PDF file.

    *For personal use only

    cute cactus drawing
    Print

    How to Draw a Cactus

    Learn how to draw a cactus with our easy step-by-step tutorial, perfect for all ages and a fun way to explore desert artistry.
    Course How To Draw Tutorials
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Author Alli Ward

    Equipment

    • Drawing Pencils

    Ingredients

    • Paper
    • Cactus Drawing Tutorial

    Instructions

    • Start by drawing the cactus flower pot. Draw the top of the pot with a thin rectangle with round edges. From there draw a U shape. This will be the bottom of the picture so make sure you're drawing the pot towards the bottom of the sheet of paper.
      step 1 draw the pot of the cactus
    • Next, draw a circle coming out of the top of the pot. This will be the small cactus stem. Then draw a larger oval shape out of the other side of the top of the pot and this will be the main stem or main trunk of the cactus drawing.
      step 2 draw the arms of the cactus
    • Next, draw curving lines down the length of each of the cactus arms. These are the rib lines of the cactus.
      step 3 draw the ribs of the cactus
    • Next is to draw a cactus flower at the top of the cactus. Draw a simple curving line creating the flower with a small circle in the middle.
      step 4 how to draw a cactus flower
    • Next, draw short lines around the outside of the two cactus arms. These are the sharp spikes of your cactus.
      step 5 draw the thorns of a cactus
    • The final step is to outline the cactus with a black pen on the final lines and erase any extra lines you had while sketching the cactus.
      step 6 outline the cactus drawing
    • The last step is to treat your new realistic cactus drawing as a coloring page and color in your cactus with your favorite crayons, colored pencils, markers, or even watercolor paint.
      cactus sketch

    Video

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    cactus drawing easy

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    About Alli

    Discover a world of creativity and joy with Alli Ward, the creative mind behind Made with Happy. From DIY crafts to delicious recipes, Alli brings happiness to every project!

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    Hi, I'm Alli Ward, the Maker behind Made with Happy. I'm a color-obsessed creative mom of two sharing easy crafts, printables, and home DIY projects that the whole family will love! 

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