How To Draw Flames
Yes, I admit. To draw flames may not be so easy. But after you see and learn some simple techniques I am showing here, you will draw whatever flames you like. We are going to draw 2 simple pictures of flames. First drawing is a small campfire that I made only by pencil and the second is a symbolic fire or symbolic flame drawing in color. Actually the second one is quite popular. You can find similar paintings on cars and motorbikes. It may symbolize heat and speed. It’s a kind of cartoon expression anyway. You are going to love this! 
click the image to enlarge Let’s take a closer look at this picture. Maybe someone told you that to draw flames of a campfire is difficult. Really? Today, you are going to have your own perfect campfire drawing! 
click the image to enlarge Draw an ellipse. Ellipse represents the size of the flames or fire. Into the same ellipse, draw a couple of flames. Yes, I know, now these “flames” look rather like seaweeds but just keep on drawing and follow my instructions. 
click the image to enlarge Hold your pencil tilted and draw some shade into the flames. 
click the image to enlarge Here you can add - draw more flames into the picture so it will look more realistic. 
click the image to enlarge Draw again more flames especially on the bottom the fire. Do this work by holding your pencil tilted. When you draw flames by pencil, it is good to draw the fire darker in the bottom and lighter towards the top. I encourage you to use your fantasy and add as many flames as you feel necessary. Now make some sharper rough pencil contours of each flame. Draw it like a quick sketch. 
click the image to enlarge Let’s sketch - outline some firewood under the flames. The shapes and size of the wood doesn’t really matter much, play with it, and use your fantasy. 
click the image to enlarge Work out the firewood so that it looks like a wood. Erase the ellipse remaining from initial drawing. Now you are ready to add this fire a little realistic look. A campfire is supposed to be enjoyed at night, so the surroundings are also supposed to be dark. By slightly tilted pencil, draw a circle of light around the flames, first only by very weak pencil strokes. Direction of pencil strokes should be oriented out of the fire. 
click the image to enlarge Now just draw more pencil strokes over the previous layer and gradually darken the outer part of the picture. Good ! Now, you have not only learned ho to draw flames but also how to draw a campfire at night.

click the image to enlarge These types of flames are quite trendy among car and motorbike lovers. Actually these flames are much easier to draw than the previous campfire flames. 
click the image to enlarge Again, draw an ellipse. This ellipse is a guideline or guide-ellipse into which you are going to draw the flames. Hold your pencil tilted and begin to draw simple wider lines as you see on the picture. 
click the image to enlarge Just draw flames - draw more branches on the main flame legs that would fit into the ellipse. You need not to exactly copy my drawing, but rather try to draw your own fantasy. 
click the image to enlarge Here you are going to decide the final shape and width of each flame. Simply draw the outline contours in similar fashion as on this picture. Experiment also with your own creativity if possible. 
click the image to enlarge Gently erase the whole drawing, but not completely. Leave very weak outlines of the flames. 
click the image to enlarge Now, take a red pencil and draw flames again over the formerly erased contours. After you are done, erase all the rest of the pencil lines. 
click the image to enlarge Draw the lower half of flames in yellow. 
click the image to enlarge The tip of the flames will be in red. Enlarge the picture to see how the red gradually fades into the yellow. 
click the image to enlarge Now your drawing looks like real hot flames! You can finish your flames drawing at this point or… 
click the image to enlarge ….draw a black pencil contour accent around the flames.
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What Other Visitors Have Said
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Flames
I was wondering how you would shade in the flames. It's simple when drawing the outline of the flames but when it comes to black and white, how do I know ...
Smudging!
i couldn't get the effect u needed for the flames on the first one so I smudged it with my finger....i use that quite allot when i'm drawing. GREAT SITE ...
dalia_zaben@yahoo.com
coolllllllllllllll
amaaazing
i really like this page , thanks a lot for your efforts :)
what to Think
I think this page is not very helpful there is too much detail in the pictures and i can't see what to draw.
just a comment
This will going to be helpful and useful to those who want to learn how to draw and for the art lovers like me. Keep it up. May you teach us more.
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