How to Draw a Candle

In this drawing lesson, we will show you how to draw a candle – one of the most ancient objects that helped illuminate human dwellings.

And according to our tradition, we made the lesson as simple and clear as possible. But despite all its simplicity, the candle drawing will be quite realistic.

Learning to sketch a candle is a great skill for anyone who wants to be able to create interesting still lifes or to add this simple element to their more complex compositions.

How to draw a candle step by step

Step 1: Sketch the basic shape of the candle

Begin your candle drawing by outlining the basic shape of the object. At this stage, it should resemble a tall, narrow rectangle. Use very light pencil strokes to make corrections easier later. Keep the proportions simple and symmetrical, as this will define the overall look of your candle.

Step 2: Sketch the wick and flame

Now, make the candle drawing look more authentic, by outlining a thin wick at the top and drawing a flame at the tip. Its outline should be shaped like a teardrop, with a curved tip. Try to keep the wick and fire centered. You can adjust the shape and size of the flame.

Step 3: Draw the drops of wax on the candle

Refine and adjust the contour of the candle by replacing the straight sides with soft, natural curves that imitate melted wax. The wax shapes should flow smoothly downwards in a natural manner. Try to create a droplet shape, gradually widening towards the bottom. Don’t make the drops symmetrical – vary the shape, size, and placement.

Step 4: Draw the inner flame shape of the candle

Now give the flame a more realistic look by drawing the center section, following the outline of the outer shape. You can also make your candle drawing more realistic by depicting light smoke above the tip of the flame.

Step 5: Clean up the candle drawing

Now, remove the unnecessary guidelines and finish with the contours. Give the lines of the sketch a clean and finished look. Adjust and correct the contours, add more details, if needed. You can also sketch a couple of drops of melted wax below the candle.

Step 6: Apply light and shadow for realistic volume

Add shadows and tonal contrast to give the candle drawing volume and dimension. Shade the sides softly, leaving a lighter zone where the light would naturally hit. Darken the bottom edges of the wax drips to show their volume. You can also add a cast shadow beneath the candle or place it on a small holder or plate for a complete still-life effect.

A useful next step in your drawing practice is to try sketching a candle and draw a candlestick below it or create a more complex version with three candles set at different heights.

It’s also worth practicing a more advanced approach to light and shadow by showing how illumination falls from above onto the candle and the surface beneath it.

Adding small drops of wax around the candle base is another effective way to strengthen your drawing skills and make the composition more detailed and visually engaging.

So, the candle drawing lesson is complete. We hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you like easy tutorials, we recommend our tutorial on how to draw a book to create some context around the candle.

And if you want to draw something more complicated, we suggest you our lesson on how to draw a still-life. And we also invite you to follow us on Pinterest and other social media to keep up to date with all the new instructions on Drawingforall.net.