My fluid flourishes are one of the things I get the most comments on from art directors, companies, and customers, so I know that these fluid shapes are helping my work stand out from the crowd. In this tutorial we’ll explore ways to easily draw better flourishes with a few simple geometry tricks. Let’s dive in!
Watch the Tutorial
If you’re a see it on “paper” person, keep reading below. Otherwise, check out this quick video tutorial in my new iPad Art Break Series on Youtube:
Flourish Styles
1. Start with a Simple Figure Eight
- Begin with a figure eight as the framework for your flourish.
- Reduce opacity and trace the shape, adding leaves, vines, or other decorative elements.
- This foundational flourish creates a natural flow that captivates the human eye.
- Draw two evenly spaced circles and connect them with a fluid S-curve.
- Ensure the line flows tangentially from the edge of each circle for optimal fluidity.
- Decorate with florals or leaves to enhance your flourish design.
- Use smaller overlapping circles to form a geometric guide.
- Sketch symmetrical or freehand flourishes within the circles, playing with patterns and extending elements outward.
4. Build Flourishes with Vines and Grids
- Utilize the Procreate grid to align shapes like semi-circles or diamonds for your vine.
- Add Art Nouveau-inspired leaves, flowers, and berries for intricate, layered designs.
5. Use the Ram’s Horn and Golden Ratio Spirals
- Employ spirals based on mathematical ratios for visually pleasing designs.
- Connect and overlap spirals to create dynamic scrollwork, waves, or baroque-inspired patterns.
6. Explore Nestled Spirals for Complex Patterns
- Craft intricate, nested spirals for added depth and movement.
- Combine multiple spirals or vines to create flowing relationships between shapes.
- Use this advanced technique to design Baroque-inspired scrollwork or modern, dynamic patterns.
make it professional!
Dive deeper into the art of elegant flourishes with the Art Nouveau class. Explore advanced techniques, geometric guides, and templates to create breathtaking designs inspired by natural and mathematical beauty.
ART NOUVEAU CLASS: MASTER FLUID FLOURISHES
- Learn more about the Ram’s Horn and Golden Ratio templates
- Create intricate patterns and scrollwork for your designs
- Build sellable clip art sets from your flourishing sketches
