How to Draw a Realistic US Flag / American Flag – Step by Step Drawing Tutorial

Today I’ll show you how to draw a U.S. flag, waving in the wind. This realistic flag is pretty tricky to draw so I would consider this a difficult drawing tutorial. I have broken down the tutorial into 37 steps to try to make it as easy as possible. This tutorial is perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, or Presidents’ Day. Happy Drawing!

Learn How to Draw a Realistic US Flag / American Flag – Step by Step Drawing Tutorial

Written-Out Step by Step Drawing Instructions

(STEP 01) Start off the flag by LIGHTLY drawing a basic shape guideline. It will be erased later.

(STEP 02) Use the guidelines from the previous step to start drawing the actual lines. The line is wavy at the top of the flag, and there is a sideway #3 on the bottom line.

(STEP 03) Continue to add lines to the outer outline of the flag.

(STEP 04) Draw curved lines.

(STEP 05) Add to the right side of the flag.

(STEP 06) Draw a wavy line on the right side of the flag. Draw a line on the bottom as well.

(STEP 07) Start drawing the first stripe. Basically follow the curve of the lower outline.

(STEP 08) Draw the rest of the bottom stripe with an upward wavy line.

(STEP 09) Draw the next stripe up, the wavy line is pretty similar to the one below.

(STEP 10) Draw parts of some stripes above the previous stripes. The curves of these lines are very similar to the previous lines.

(STEP 11) Draw the right sides of the stripes from the previous step. Follow the basic curve of the lines below them.

(STEPS 12-14) Draw some upper stripes.

(STEP 15) Draw some lines for the wrinkles on the flag.

(STEP 14) Finish up the stripes. Also, draw the left side of the stripes and top-left rectangle.

(STEP 15) Draw some of the flag’s wrinkles and creases.

(STEP 16-A) Lightly draw a circle guideline. Draw 5 dots in the locations I have placed them.

(STEP 16-B) Use the dots as points to draw the lines of the star with. Draw an upside-down “V” to start off the first star.

(STEP 16-C) Continue to use the dots to draw the star. Draw a sideways “V” shape.

(STEP 16-D) Finish off the star.

(STEP 17) Lightly draw warped circles, each with 5 dots. They are grouped in diagonals.

(STEP 18) Draw more circles on a diagonal.

(STEP 19) Draw increasingly warped circles on a diagonal.

(STEP 20) These circles are a bit less warped but still follow a diagonal. They are a bit larger.

(STEPS 21-22) Continue with the circles.

(STEP 23) Now just fill in the stars. Some of these stars are going to warped beyond recognition, so keep that in mind.

(STEPS 24-37) Color in and Shade.