Welcome!
VIDEO LESSONS
I suggest watching the following video lessons in the order they are listed, as they build upon each other.
#1: Characteristics of Succulent Plants
In this presentation I summarize the course, share reasons succulents are such cool plants to observe, sketch, and grow, and then I review the physical characteristics of succulents so that you can recognize and draw them more accurately. I also describe some of the world’s most famous regions where succulents thrive and describe how their anatomy helps them survive in such extreme environments.
#2 Succulent Plant Families Around the World
In this presentation, I review the major families of succulents plants as well as some families that have just a few members that are succulent, over 10 families in all! For each family, I share their primarily identifying characteristics, and give some examples from around the world.
#3: Tips for Growing Succulent Plants
In this presentation I share my best tips for purchasing and growing succulent plants, since the ‘succulent bug’ has surely bitten you, now that you know just how diverse and fascinating they are! As a succulent fanatic, my tips are based on real life experience growing these unique plants, and I share my recommendations on buying, potting, soil, water, light, and how NOT to kill your quirky plants once you’ve brought them home from the nursery!
LET’S START DRAWING!
I suggest completing the video workshops below in the order that I have presented them, as each gets more challenging by introducing new skills and new art media. Enjoy!
Introductory Video Demo of Six Steps Method
In this quick video below I introduce you to my Six Steps to Sketching Success method which helps you started with a drawing by focusing on getting the correct proportions.
Please download the Six Steps to Sketching Success and Prickly Pear Cactus Reference Photo to follow along to my method. You’ll also need a graphite pencil and paper.
DRAWING AND PAINTING DEMONSTRATIONS
Below you’ll find drawing and painting demonstrations of various succulent plants in various wet and dry arts media including graphite and charcoal pencils, watercolors, and more. This succulents course isn’t meant to be a full course on learning to draw and paint, so the demos below do assume you have some basic art skills, especially for rendering basic proportions and creating simple watercolor washes. That’s why I’ve included the introductory demo above which you should complete before moving on to the more in-depth workshops below.
(NOTE: These demonstrations below were previously filmed as part of live events and thus, may refer to events or lessons in the past)
Cactus Family Presentation and Prickly Pear Drawing Demonstration
This presentation goes more deeply into learning about the Cactus Family since it’s the largest and best known family to those of you in the Americas. I describe their identifying characteristics, some iconic species, and then I lead you in a step-by-step demonstration of a North American Prickly Pear cactus using graphite pencils.
Please download the Prickly Pear Cactus Cheat Sheet then watch the video below.
Echeveria Stonecrops Pencil Drawing Demo
In this drawing demonstration, we draw a common member of the Stonecrop family, in the Echeveria genus.
Please download the Echeveria Stonecrops Reference Photos get a graphite pencil and paper, and follow along to the demonstration below.
African Milk Barrel demonstration in charcoal pencil
In this drawing demo, we draw a very strange and interesting member of the Spurge family; the African Milk Barrel plant, Euphorbia horrida. I demonstrate my favorite technique of using charcoal dust and I describe the materials needed at the beginning of the video, but you can use any media you prefer.
Please download the African Milk Tree reference photos and value scale and viewfinder handout and follow along to the video below.
Pig’s Ears Stonecrop Draw and Watercolor Demo
In this video, I am demonstrating how to draw and watercolor the blossom of an interesting South African Stonecrop called Pig’s Ear / Round-leafed Navel-Wort, Cotyledon orbiculata.
Please download the Pig’s Ears Reference Photo, then gather a pencil and watercolor supplies, and follow along to the video below.
Christmas Cactus Draw and Watercolor Workshop
The following demonstration is from my 2025 winter holiday series. I demonstrate how to draw and watercolor the very popular houseplant known as a Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera sp.
Please download the Christmas Cactus Reference Photos handout and gather some pencils and watercolor supplies.
Depicting Stones Plants using 7 different techniques
In this last demonstration of the course, I share a ‘smorgasbord’ of techniques for depicting the unique and colorful stone plants of Africa, Lithops sp.
Media used include water-soluble pencil, water-soluble pen, colored pencils, water-soluble colored pencils, oil pastels, gouache, and watercolor.
Please download the LIthops Stoneplant Reference Photos handout, and gather your art supplies. Then follow along to the workshop below.
CONCLUSION
I hope you enjoyed this course on discovering and drawing succulent plants. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or if you’d like to share your drawings with me, simply email me at: hello@christineelder.com