How to Draw a Cactus Step by Step - 10 Easy Steps to Create a Cactus Drawing!

In this fun and easy cactus drawing tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw a cactus step by step.

This tutorial is great for beginner artists (kids and adults) who want to improve their drawing skills.

Drawing a cactus can be a study in unique shapes and textures, providing an excellent opportunity to experiment with various line styles, capture its distinctive features, and play with contrasting elements of roughness and smoothness in your artwork.

Fun Facts: Did you know that cacti are a succulent plant that can store water in their stems and leaves?

Once you have completed this tutorial, you’ll have an awesome cactus drawing.

What You’ll Need for Your How to Draw a Cactus Sketch

We’ll be creating our cactus drawing using the following materials:

• A piece of paper
• A pencil
• An eraser

How to Draw a Cactus Step by Step

Follow our step-by-step tutorial covering how to draw a cactus.

We’ve included all the steps in detail so that the process is easier to follow.

So, draw cactus with us, and let’s get started!

The collage above shows each process step so you know what your cactus drawing should look like at each stage. 

Instructions on How to Draw Cactus Step by Step

Tip: Make sure you don’t press too hard on the paper when you draw your pencil lines so that you can correct your mistakes with an eraser as you go through the tutorial.

Step 1: Draw the Cactus Base

Draw one long, curved line, forming an oval-like shape as the base of your cactus drawing.

Step 2: Draw the First Arm

Sketch a small oval shape on the left side of the main oval to create the first arm of your cactus.

Step 3: Draw the Second Arm

Repeat the process and draw another oval on the other side of the cactus, curving it slightly higher than the previous arm.

Step 4: Draw the Rib Lines

Draw several vertical lines across the main oval shape to give your cactus its signature rib lines.

Step 5: Repeat the Process and Outline the Cactus

Draw more rib lines inside each arm. Then outline the cactus using a darker pencil stroke.

Step 6: Add the Cactus’s Spines

Draw several small lines along the edges of the arms and across the surface of your cactus to create its signature spines, giving it texture.

Step 7: Add a Flower

Draw a flower bud on the arm of the cactus and a few petals around it.

Step 8: Add the Floor Line

Draw a few lines at the bottom of the cactus to form the floor.

Step 9: Add Grass

Draw some grass around the cactus.

Step 10: Add Shading

Finally, add shading to the cactus by smudging the pencil marks with your fingers.

Congratulations!

There you have it. Now you know how to draw a cactus step by step!

Don’t worry if your cactus drawing step by step isn’t perfect the first time; the more you practice, the better you will get!

Drawing cactus can be a fun exploration of different forms and patterns found in nature, allowing for creative expression through varied shapes, sizes, and spiky textures that make each cactus a unique and interesting subject to sketch.

Bonus Tips on How to Improve Your Step by Step Cactus Drawing Even Better:

• You can use various cacti illustrations or stock photos as a reference.
• Then, pick out your supplies: a pencil, marker, paper, and royalty-free images if you wish to use them.
• Use light green pencils to outline your cactus to make it easier to erase mistakes.
• Add a touch of texture and shading by drawing rib lines on one side of the arm and then using a darker shade to add shadows on the other side of the arm. You can also draw small dots or other small shapes, forming patterns around the cactus.

Be sure to practice this cactus drawing until you get it just right.

Soon, you’ll be a master at cactus drawings!

We hope this tutorial has been helpful in teaching you how to draw a cactus!

Have fun with your art!

Are you looking for more similar ideas? Search our list of 101+ Drawing Ideas.

Happy drawing!