A leek with folded leaves

A study of a leek with overlapping leaf ribbons, a pale stem and fine roots on textured paper. Place the long pale stem on a diagonal and mark where the leaves spread.

A way into the drawing

1. Set the main shape

   Place the long pale stem on a diagonal and mark where the leaves spread.

2. Connect the structure

   Fan the five visible leaf ribbons from overlapping sheaths and add the roots.

3. Add the gray planes

   Separate the leaf folds with broad gray shapes and leave the stem mostly open paper.

A small thing to tryKeep each leaf continuous through its bend before adding shadows.