How to Draw Calla Lily — Free Practice Sheets

A calla lily is recognizable by a few clear features: one curled, trumpet-shaped flower head with a rolled upper edge, a long smooth stem, and a large broad leaf with a wavy margin and a prominent central vein. This page explains how to construct those features in order, then how to use the practice sheets to compare your drawing with a separate full reference. The goal is accurate visible features and sensible proportions, not a pixel-perfect copy.

Start With the Stem and Flower Head

Begin with the main stem as a long vertical line. Keep it smooth and continuous rather than broken or knotted; the stem is a simple support line, not a decorative element. At the top of that stem, sketch the flower as a curved cup. The cup should read as a single trumpet shape that folds over at the top edge. Think of the rolled upper edge as a lip that curls back, and keep the lower part of the cup narrowing toward the stem.

Place the flower head so it sits clearly at the top of the stem rather than floating beside it. Check that the cup is not drawn as a flat circle or a wide bowl; the curled fold is what makes the shape read as a calla lily.

1. Draw a long vertical line for the main stem.
2. At the top of the stem, sketch the trumpet-shaped flower by drawing a curved cup that folds over at the top edge.

Add the Leaf and Its Veins

Add a second long stem beside the first for the leaf. This second stem should run roughly parallel to the flower stem, giving the drawing a balanced vertical structure. Attach the broad leaf to the second stem as a large wavy shape. The margin, or outer edge, should undulate rather than form a perfect oval.

Inside the leaf, draw the prominent central vein first, running from the base toward the tip. Then add side vein lines that branch away from the central vein. Keep the side veins lighter and shorter than the central vein so the leaf does not look cluttered. The leaf should feel broad and open, not narrow or pointed like a blade of grass.

1. Add a second long stem beside the first for the leaf.
2. Draw the broad leaf as a large wavy shape attached to the second stem, then add the central vein and side vein lines.

Using the Practice Sheets

The tracing sheet asks you to follow the reference outline first, then practise the contour independently. Compare your result with the separate full reference sheet rather than with the tracing lines alone. The grid sheet asks you to copy the reference onto the blank grid using matching grid intersections, which helps you judge where the flower head, stems, and leaf sit relative to one another.

The bounding-frame sheet gives you a center guide for placing the silhouette before adding identifying details. The partial sheet asks you to complete the blank right-hand portion using the full reference. In every case, compare visible features and proportions. Different drawings can be correct, so assess whether the curled trumpet head, the long smooth stems, and the broad wavy leaf with its central vein are all present and sensibly placed.

1. Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently.
2. Compare with the separate full reference sheet.
3. On the grid sheet, match grid intersections to place the main shapes.
4. On the frame sheet, use the bounding frame and center guide to place the silhouette, then add details.

Checking Your Drawing

Review the drawing feature by feature. Is there a single curled trumpet-shaped flower head with a rolled upper edge? Is the flower supported by a long smooth vertical stem? Is there a second stem for the leaf? Is the leaf large and broad with a wavy margin and a prominent central vein? If one feature is missing, adjust that part rather than redrawing everything.

Proportion matters more than exact line placement. A flower head that is too small for its stem, or a leaf that is too narrow, will weaken the drawing even if each line is neat. Step back and compare the overall silhouette with the reference before adding any extra detail.

1. Check the flower head for the curled fold and rolled edge.
2. Check both stems for length and smoothness.
3. Check the leaf for width, wavy margin, and central vein.

Check your work

• The flower head is a single trumpet-shaped cup that narrows toward the stem.
• The upper edge of the flower head shows a rolled fold.
• The flower sits at the top of a long, smooth vertical stem.
• A second long stem supports the leaf.
• The leaf is broad with a wavy outer margin.
• A prominent central vein runs through the leaf, with lighter side veins.
• The overall proportions keep the flower head, stems, and leaf balanced.

Worked example

calla lily: Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently. Compare with the separate full reference sheet.

Common mistakes

• Drawing the flower head as a flat circle or open bowl. Redraw the cup so it narrows toward the stem and folds over at the top edge, keeping the rolled lip visible.
• Making the leaf narrow or perfectly oval. Widen the leaf and give the outer margin gentle waves, then strengthen the central vein from base to tip.
• Letting the flower float beside the stem instead of sitting on it. Move the base of the cup so it meets the top of the main stem, then smooth the join.

Questions and answers