Unleash Your Inner Pennsylvanian Picasso: A Guide to Drawing the Elusive State Flower (Spoiler Alert: It's Not a Cheesesteak)
Yes, Pennsylvania, the land of liberty bells, scrapple, and shockingly, not cheesesteaks (sorry, Philly fans!), has an official state flower. And it's not a mushy roll with questionable meat origins, but the beautiful and surprisingly easy-to-draw Mountain Laurel.
So ditch the cheese (for now) and grab your pencils, because we're about to embark on a journey to artistic glory (or at least a doodle that won't get mistaken for a scribble).
 |
| How To Draw Pennsylvania Flower |
Step 1: Channel Your Inner Botanist (or Just Google It)
The Mountain Laurel is a stunning evergreen shrub with clusters of pink, cup-shaped flowers. Take a moment to appreciate its delicate beauty (pretend you're in a fancy museum). You can find some reference photos online or, if you're feeling adventurous, maybe even visit a local park (nature is pretty neat, who knew?).
QuickTip: Use CTRL + F to search for keywords quickly.
Important Note: Don't try to eat the Mountain Laurel. Seriously, it's poisonous. Trust me, your drawing will be way more impressive than a trip to the hospital.
Step 2: Prepare Your Artistic Arsenal
Here's what you'll need to become Pennsylvania's next artistic prodigy (or at least create a decent doodle):
Tip: Reading in short bursts can keep focus high.
- Pencil: Because everyone starts somewhere, even Michelangelo.
- Paper: Any kind will do, but printer paper is a good choice for beginners (unless you're feeling fancy with some textured watercolor paper).
- Eraser: Mistakes are inevitable, embrace the squiggly freedom!
- Colored pencils/pens/crayons (optional): Unleash your inner rainbow once you've mastered the basic flower shape.
Pro Tip: If you're feeling fancy, grab a ruler for some crisp straight lines. But hey, even Vincent van Gogh didn't use a ruler for his sunflowers, so imperfection can be beautiful too.
Step 3: Let's Get Drawing!
Now comes the fun part! Here's a breakdown of the artistic magic:
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
- Start with a simple circle: This will be the base of your flower.
- Draw five ovals around the circle: Imagine the circle is a clock, and place the ovals at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, with one slightly overlapping the top of the circle (that's your first petal!). These ovals will become your beautiful flower petals.
- Refine those petals: Use your amazing artistic skills (or eraser) to smooth out the ovals and create those lovely, soft curves that Mountain Laurel petals are known for.
- Add some detail: Draw a small circle in the center of the flower for the stamen (the pollen-producing part). You can also add a few tiny lines coming out of the center circle to represent the stamen filaments.
- Stem Time!: Draw a straight line down from the base of the flower for the stem. Add a couple of small leaves with pointy tips on either side of the stem.
Feeling like Picasso already? Now's the time to unleash your inner colorist! Grab those colored pencils, pens, or crayons and bring your masterpiece to life.
 |
Step 4: Admire Your Work (and Maybe Frame It?)
Look at you, creating a floral masterpiece that would make even William Penn proud! Take a moment to appreciate your artistic achievement (and maybe resist the urge to hang it on the fridge next to your childhood macaroni art).
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
Bonus Tip: Feeling fancy? Draw a background with rolling hills and a bright blue sky to make your Mountain Laurel truly shine!
FAQ: Unleashing Your Inner Pennsylvanian Flower Power
How to make the flower petals look more realistic? Don't just color them solid! Use a light touch and blend different shades of pink to create depth and dimension.
My flower looks a little wonky. Is that okay? Absolutely! Embrace the imperfections. After all, even the most beautiful flowers aren't perfectly symmetrical.
Can I draw other things with this technique? Sure! Try using the same basic oval method to draw different types of flowers. The possibilities are endless!
What if I don't have any colored pencils? No problem! Get creative! Use markers, paints, even lipstick (but maybe not your mom's best stuff).
Is this flower hard to draw? Nope! This is a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn how to draw
 |
