How to Draw a Heart With Ribbon

A heart drawing makes a perfect gift for someone special.

Drawing a heart with a ribbon around it evokes images of dainty Victorian valentines. This sentimental subject suggests love and devotion. Although art students feel comfortable drawing the iconic shape of a heart, the accompanying ribbon may present a challenge. Keeping the shape fluid and curving helps the subject achieve a naturalistic, graceful quality. After completing your drawing, feel free to embellish it with color and text. The space inside the ribbon offers the perfect spot for a sweet message.

Instructions

1. Draw a large, wide heart shape. Make the top and sides of the heart curved and full in shape. Make the bottom form a narrow, clean tip.

2. Draw one wavy line across the heart. Draw this line with two large, upward arching curves. Extend the line over the left and right sides of the heart for a short distance.

3. Draw a second line parallel to the first a short distance away from it. These two lines will form your ribbon, so do not make them too close together.

4. Draw a third line directly underneath the second line. Make the space between these two lines thin and narrow.

5. Connect all three lines at the left terminus with a sideways "V" shape that points to the right with its tip.

6. Connect all three lines on the right side with a sideways "V" shape that points to the left with its tip.

7. Shade darkly in the narrow space between the second and third lines to form a shadow for the ribbon.

8. In the center curve of the ribbon, shade by turning your pencil tip on its side. Shade using lines that follow the same, downward path of the curve to add dimension.

Tips & Warnings

• Shade the curve of the ribbon lightly if you wish to add text inside.

References

• Smashing Magazine: 50 Clever Tutorials and Techniques on Traditional Drawing