Easy & Fun Cactus Drawing
Learning how to draw a cactus is easy and fun. We’ll show you step by step how to draw, outline, and color your cactus drawings with markers.
There are many different types of cacti. Today we will be drawing a saguaro cactus, which is probably the type that is most commonly seen in drawings.
After you learn how to draw a cactus, what you do with it is only limited by your own imagination. Let’s get started by gathering up some supplies for this art tutorial.
* Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Art Supplies
- Thin black marker
- Paper or cardstock
- Markers
- Pencil
- Click Eraser, Pink Pearl Eraser
- White Gelly Roll pen
How to Draw a Cactus (Easy) Step by Step
Learning how to draw a cactus is really easy. And there’s many different ways you can draw them. As well as a variety of uses for your cactus drawings. We’ll start with some simple shapes and guides.
Everything you draw is easier if you break it down into basic shapes and guidelines. This makes it less intimidating and gives you a reference point to start adding details.
When drawing a cactus you can begin with a straight line for the main trunk of your plant.
Now draw a couple of curved lines for the arms.
Add some ovals to the ends of those lines to help form the shape of the crown of each section.
Draw the outline of your cactus using your guides to get your outside shapes. For the areas where the arms come out of the trunk, you can keep the trunk line there or remove it. It’s a matter of personal preference.
Cactus Outline
Making a cactus outline is really easy. Just trace over the pencil lines you want to keep with a black pen or marker. You can make your lines thick, thin, or a variation of line weights.
You could also try using a color other than black. Maybe try using green or brown instead. Just do whatever fits with your style.
You can use different nibbed pens to vary the thickness of your lines. Or use a brush pen if you’ve developed the skills to use one.
Add in some extra details to your cactus drawing like lines to show texture and some little pricklies on the outside.
You can also add in some details to your background like mountains, dirt, and rocks.
When you’re done with your cactus outline, us an eraser to remove all of the pencil lines and clean your drawing up.
How to Draw a Cactus with Markers
Learning how to draw a cactus with markers is easier than you might think. And there’s only a few things you need to keep in mind when using them for your artwork.
First, if you want to be able to blend your colors together you need to use alcohol based markers. Bic, Sharpie, and Copic for example. As well as many others.
Second, you need to work while the colors are still wet or they won’t mix together. This isn’t a big deal. Just make sure you work on a section at a time.
Third, you need to use colors that are similar to each other if you want to create a smooth transition of color. If your markers are too different they will leave a harder edge.
Start with a light yellow-green color for the base of your cactus drawing.
Then use a darker green to add in some shadows and variation to make your cactus look less flat and boring.
If you’re using markers, use the light green to go back over the area where the light and dark green meet. This will soften the edge and blend them together.
Use a light brown and medium brown marker for the ground. And a medium and dark brown for the rocks so there’s a bit of contrast.
Add some blue to the sky. You can use any two blues that you want. I made a halo around my cactus with the darker blue, but you could add the darker color at the top or on the sides as well.
Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Using Markers if you need more help.
Use a white Gelly Roll pen to add in some highlights on your cactus drawing.
Cactus Drawing Ideas & Inspiration
If you want to improve your drawing skills and make creative, original works of art, then you need to practice as much as possible. Experiment with your drawings and try coming up with some different styles.
Working on your drawings for a few minutes a day will benefit you and will add up over time. Shorter consistent sessions are better than longer sporadic sessions.
Most of my artwork is done on artist trading cards because it saves time and I can get more done. Plus, I get to trade them for artwork from other artists. Take a look at our Beginner’s Guide to Artist Trading Cards to get started making your own.
Another thing that I do is try to make 7 drawings of whatever theme I’m doing for the week. This is a great way to improve your creativity and your drawing skills.
It will also help you develop your artistic style.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Not that you know how to draw a cactus, what’s next? If you want to improve your art and drawing skills you need to practice. The more you practice the better you will get.
When learning to draw and create works of art, remember to have fun and enjoy the process. Your sessions should feel relaxing, not stressful. The more you can look forward to your creative time, the more you’ll want to do it.
Anyone can learn to draw. It just takes a little bit of practice. You don’t have to practice for hours. But spending a few minutes each day on your artwork will give you good results.
If you want to get really good at drawing a cactus, challenge yourself to making a series of them and see what you can come up with. Your creativity will improve along with your art skills.
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