tutorial:

Snowflake Drawing

how to draw a SNOWFLAKE

Along with their uniqueness, snowflakes are also very symmetrical. To capture this perfect symmetry, we are going to begin our snowflake drawing with a series of construction steps.

creating a SNOWFLAKE drawing

STEP 1: BEGIN WITH A CIRCLE

To begin our snowflake drawing, we are going to draw a small circle in the center of our canvas. Make sure that this circle is small.

step 2: ADD THE SECOND CIRCLE

This step is quick and simple. All you need to do is draw a slightly larger circle around the first one. Make sure that this circle is equidistant.

STEP 3: CONTINUING THE CIRCLES

You can now add the third circle to your snowflake construction. Keeping the distance between the first two circles consistent, draw a larger circle around the first two.

STEP 4: DRAWING THE FOURTH CIRCLE

Around the third circle, you can now draw a slightly larger circle. The gap can be smaller than the gap between the first few.

STEP 5: DRAWING THE FINAL CIRCLE

In this step, you can now draw the final circle. In contrast to the last step, you want the gap between the fourth and fifth circles to be slightly wider.

step 6: DRAW SIX STAR POINTS

In this step, we are going to begin laying down the foundation for the points of your snowflake drawing. Around the fifth circle, draw six pyramidal shapes.

STEP 7: DRAW THE 1ST INTERSECTION

Begin the intersects with a tilted line that cuts the circles in half. This line should sit between four of the pyramidal shapes from the last step.

step 8: DRAW THE 2ND DIVISION LINE

You are going to repeat the previous step but at a different angle. This time, draw the tilted intersection line on the opposite side.

STEP 9: DRAW THE LAST DIVISION LINE

Your final division line can now be drawn through the final four pyramidal shapes. All of these division lines should intersect right at the center of the smallest circle.

step 10: START ADDING THE DETAILS

Begin with the intersecting line you drew, adding two sets of extending arms just before the ends. On the arms closest to the circles, draw two more, smaller arms.

STEP 11: FINISH DETAILS ON THE ARMS

Try to make these lines as symmetrical as possible. On each intersecting line, the arms should be placed in roughly the same place.

step 12: ADD DETAILS TO THE CENTER

Begin at the central circle, drawing two hexagons. You can then draw a larger hexagon around these two but within the second circle.

STEP 13: DETAILING THE STAR INSIDE

Surrounding the rectangular shapes that you drew in the last step, outline and detail the star in any manner you please. Just make sure that your patterns are as symmetrical as possible.

step 14: DETAILING THE INNER ARMS

You can outline and detail the inner arms on each of the division lines. Use rounded lines and add some small round particles in and around these details.

STEP 15: ADDING THE FINAL DETAILS

You can now simply repeat the process of the previous step on the final outer arms of your easy snowflake drawing. These patterns should be as symmetrical as possible.

step 16: BEGIN COLORING THE SNOWFLAKE

Use a small brush and some light blue paint, and add an even coat of color to the entirety of your snowflake drawing.

STEP 17: ADD THE 2ND COAT OF COLOR

You are going to add a very light shade of light gray to your snowflake drawing. Use a fine blending brush, and carefully add a light coat to the whole snowflake.

step 18: ADDING HIGHLIGHTS

Use a clean fine blending brush and some white paint to add highlights to the points of the snowflake that would naturally catch the light.

STEP 19: FINISH UP YOUR SNOWFLAKE

To finish your easy snowflake drawing, you can now erase all of the harsh outlines. This will create a seamlessly finished drawing.