Black and gray marker drawing of an artichoke with staggered pointed bracts and a short cut stem on textured pale cream paper.

Drawing referenceAbout reference use

An artichoke in layers

A study of an artichoke with staggered pointed bracts and a short cut stem on textured pale cream paper. Block in an egg-shaped head and short angled stem.

Food & drink Medium Marker30 min, at your pace

A way into the drawing

Establish the main forms
Block in an egg-shaped head and short angled stem.
Build the structure
Build the lower bracts first, staggering successive rows toward the top.
Develop selected details
Shade selected bract overlaps and emphasize a few pointed tips.

A small thing to tryLet the bract shapes narrow as they approach the top.