A succulent in a little pot

Overlap a few broad leaves above an oval pot rim. Small shadows where the leaves meet make this plant feel three-dimensional.

A way into the drawing

1. Set the pot

   Sketch an oval rim and two sides tapering toward a curved base. Keep the back half of the rim light behind the plant.

2. Layer the leaves

   Start with a few upright leaves near the center, then add broader leaves spreading outward. Let their contours overlap.

3. Shade the overlaps

   Darken a small area beneath each front leaf and one side of the pot. Leave the upper leaf surfaces mostly white.

A small thing to tryFinish each leaf with one clear tip. Too many tiny leaves will hide the overlap pattern you are practicing.