How to Draw Tumbleweed

To begin your drawing, start with simple outlines. This is a great way to build the shape of the tumbleweed without worrying about details just yet. Once you have the outlines in place, you can think about adding some shading to give your drawing depth and texture. If you enjoy the look of bold outlines, you might want to trace over your pencil lines with a thin black marker for a nice finish. Now that you’re all set, it’s time for you to create your very own tumbleweed!

Time Needed: 45 minutes

1. Draw the Main Shape

   

   Form the main ball shape of the tumbleweed by drawing thin, curving branches in a circular formation.

2. Add More Branches

   

   Following the previous step, add more layers of thin branches.

3. Fill in the Inner Branches

   

   Continue filling the inside of the tumbleweed with overlapping branches.

4. Form the Center

   

   Create shorter, tighter branches in the center of the tumbleweed.

5. Add Loose Branches

   

   Draw a few branches pointing outward to add loose strands of the tumbleweed.

6. Draw the Horizon Line

   

   Add a straight horizontal line in the background to form the horizon.

7. Outline the Desert Mountains

   

   Draw an outline of the desert mountains in the background above the horizon line.

8. Add the Cracked Soil

   

   Form irregular cracked lines on the ground around the tumbleweed to draw dry desert soil.

9. Color the Tumbleweed Drawing

   

   First, color the sky light blue. Next, use a pale cream color for the desert mountains and soil, then add brown shading for shadows. Finally, color the tumbleweed branches brown and fill in the gaps with a darker brown color.