Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Lichen
Draw a lichen in 12 easy steps, about 9 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the rock.
Step 1: The rock
In the middle draw a big rounded rock with a flat bottom, a little taller on the right.
Step 2: Two big eyes
Low on the rock draw 2 big egg eyes. Colour a black dot in each, with a shine.
Step 3: A big smile
A little below the eyes draw a wide U smile from under one eye across to the other.
Step 4: The big patch
Above the left eye draw a big patch with a bumpy edge, like a flat cloud.
Tip Lichen grows in flat crusty patches with frilly edges. Make the bumps different sizes.
Step 5: A second patch
Up on the right draw a smaller bumpy patch.
Step 6: Two little patches
Draw 2 little bumpy patches low on the rock, one near each side.
Step 7: Tiny dots
Dot 3 tiny black spots on the big patch and 2 on the second. They are the lichen's little cups.
Step 8: Cracks
Zigzag a short crack down from the top of the rock, and another up from the bottom.
Step 9: The ground
Draw a ground line along the rock's flat bottom, stopping short of the edges. Add a pebble and grass.
Step 10: Cheeks and yellow
Go over your lines. Colour pink cheeks under the eyes, and the second patch yellow.
Step 11: Orange and green
Colour the big patch orange and the 2 little patches green.
Step 12: Grey rock
Colour the rock and the pebble grey, around the face and the lichen. Leave the eyes white.
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a lichen, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
