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how to draw a tomato

How to draw a tomato - a free tomato drawing guide

Draw a tomato step-by-step using basic shapes, shading, and color. Practice observation, proportion, and shading to create a realistic tomato.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of tomato drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a tomato

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How To Draw A Tomato Step By Step 🍅 Tomato Drawing Easy

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, sharpener, coloring materials (red green brown black), tissue or cotton swab

Step 1

Place your paper on a flat surface and put your pencil and eraser nearby so you are ready to draw.

Step 2

Lightly sketch a circle in the middle of the paper using gentle pencil strokes.

Step 3

Make the circle a little squashed by flattening the top and bottom with soft pencil curves.

Step 4

Draw a small shallow dip at the top center of the squash to show where the stem will sit.

Step 5

Sketch four or five pointed leaf shapes around the dip to make the tomato’s calyx.

Step 6

Add one or two gentle curved lines from the top toward the bottom to show the tomato’s round form.

Step 7

Pick where the light is coming from and mark that spot with a tiny dot outside the tomato.

Step 8

Shade the side of the tomato opposite the light dot with light pencil strokes to create a shadowed area.

Step 9

Gently blend the shaded area with a tissue or cotton swab to make the shading smooth.

Step 10

Color the main tomato area with red, keeping a small oval near the light dot free of color for a highlight.

Step 11

Add darker red or a little brown to the shaded side and the bottom to deepen the shadow.

Step 12

Color the leaf shapes at the top with green.

Step 13

Add a tiny bit of brown near the center of the leaves to make the stem area look real.

Step 14

Lightly erase a small spot in the highlight area to make it shine like a real tomato.

Step 15

Share your finished tomato on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use instead of a tissue or cotton swab for blending if we don't have them?

If you don't have a tissue or cotton swab to 'Gently blend the shaded area with a tissue or cotton swab', use a clean fingertip, a folded paper towel, or the edge of a soft cloth to lightly smooth the pencil strokes.

My tomato shape looks off or my highlight disappeared—how do I fix it?

Lightly erase and re-sketch the 'Lightly sketch a circle' and 'Make the circle a little squashed' steps using gentle pencil strokes, then protect the tiny highlight spot from smudging by keeping it free of color until the end (see 'Pick where the light is coming from' and 'Color the main tomato area').

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger children, simplify to drawing the squashed circle, calyx leaves, and coloring the tomato (steps 'Make the circle a little squashed', 'Sketch four or five pointed leaf shapes', 'Color the main tomato area'), while older kids can add the curved form lines, layered shadows with darker red/brown, and gently erase a highlight for realism (steps 'Add one or two gentle curved lines', 'Add darker red or a little brown', 'Lightly erase a small spot in the highlight area').

How can we make the finished tomato more special before sharing it on DIY.org?

Extend the activity by drawing a vine with extra tomatoes, adding a simple background or watercolor wash, or using a white gel pen to sharpen the highlight and deepen the shadow before you 'Share your finished tomato on DIY.org'.

Watch videos on how to draw a tomato

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How To Draw A Tomato Step By Step 🍅 Tomato Drawing Easy

4 Videos

Facts about drawing fundamentals for kids

🍅 Botanically a tomato is a berry — it develops from a flower and contains seeds, so it’s a fruit!

💧 Ripe tomatoes are over 90% water, which helps explain their juicy shine and why highlights matter when shading.

🎨 In drawing, value (light to dark) creates the illusion of roundness more than hue — great shading makes a tomato look 3D.

🧪 The red color in many tomatoes comes from lycopene, a carotenoid pigment also studied for antioxidant properties.

🌱 There are thousands of tomato varieties (often cited as over 10,000), offering tons of shapes, sizes, and colors to practice from.

How do I draw a tomato step-by-step with basic shapes, shading, and color?

Start by sketching a light circle or slightly flattened oval for the tomato body and a small star shape for the calyx (stem base). Add gentle contour lines to show lobes and a seam. Choose a light source and mark highlights and shadows. Block in mid-tone color, then layer darker reds and purples in shadowed areas. Blend smoothly and add bright highlights and a soft cast shadow beneath to make the tomato look round and realistic.

What materials do I need to draw a realistic tomato?

You’ll need good drawing paper, a range of pencils (HB, 2B or 4B), a soft eraser and sharpener. For color use colored pencils, watercolor or markers plus a small brush or blending stump for smooth shading. Have a reference tomato or photo, a kneaded eraser for highlights, and a ruler or shape guide if needed. Optional: white gel pen for final highlights and a paper towel for subtle blending effects.

What ages is drawing a tomato suitable for?

This activity suits kids aged about 5–12 with adaptations. Younger children (5–7) can focus on simple shapes and bright colors, tracing an oval and coloring. Ages 8–12 can practice proportion, observing light, and layered shading techniques. Supervise younger artists and simplify steps. For teens or older kids, introduce more advanced color blending, texture, and still-life composition to deepen observational drawing skills.

What are the benefits of drawing a tomato and how can I vary the activity?

Drawing a tomato builds observation, proportion, fine motor control, and an understanding of light and shadow—key art fundamentals. It also boosts patience and visual memory. Variations include drawing a tomato slice, a cluster of tomatoes, or a whole still life with leaves. Try different media (watercolor wash, colored pencils, or ink) or challenge kids to draw from life versus a photo to improve accuracy and confidence.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a tomato

How to draw a tomato - a free tomato drawing guide

Draw a tomato step-by-step using basic shapes, shading, and color. Practice observation, proportion, and shading to create a realistic tomato.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of tomato drawing examples

Step-by-step guide to draw a tomato

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Draw A Tomato Step By Step 🍅 Tomato Drawing Easy

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, sharpener, coloring materials (red green brown black), tissue or cotton swab

Step 1

Place your paper on a flat surface and put your pencil and eraser nearby so you are ready to draw.

Step 2

Lightly sketch a circle in the middle of the paper using gentle pencil strokes.

Step 3

Make the circle a little squashed by flattening the top and bottom with soft pencil curves.

Step 4

Draw a small shallow dip at the top center of the squash to show where the stem will sit.

Step 5

Sketch four or five pointed leaf shapes around the dip to make the tomato’s calyx.

Step 6

Add one or two gentle curved lines from the top toward the bottom to show the tomato’s round form.

Step 7

Pick where the light is coming from and mark that spot with a tiny dot outside the tomato.

Step 8

Shade the side of the tomato opposite the light dot with light pencil strokes to create a shadowed area.

Step 9

Gently blend the shaded area with a tissue or cotton swab to make the shading smooth.

Step 10

Color the main tomato area with red, keeping a small oval near the light dot free of color for a highlight.

Step 11

Add darker red or a little brown to the shaded side and the bottom to deepen the shadow.

Step 12

Color the leaf shapes at the top with green.

Step 13

Add a tiny bit of brown near the center of the leaves to make the stem area look real.

Step 14

Lightly erase a small spot in the highlight area to make it shine like a real tomato.

Step 15

Share your finished tomato on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use instead of a tissue or cotton swab for blending if we don't have them?

My tomato shape looks off or my highlight disappeared—how do I fix it?

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

How can we make the finished tomato more special before sharing it on DIY.org?

Watch videos on how to draw a tomato

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Draw A Tomato Step By Step 🍅 Tomato Drawing Easy

4 Videos

Facts about drawing fundamentals for kids

🍅 Botanically a tomato is a berry — it develops from a flower and contains seeds, so it’s a fruit!

💧 Ripe tomatoes are over 90% water, which helps explain their juicy shine and why highlights matter when shading.

🎨 In drawing, value (light to dark) creates the illusion of roundness more than hue — great shading makes a tomato look 3D.

🧪 The red color in many tomatoes comes from lycopene, a carotenoid pigment also studied for antioxidant properties.

🌱 There are thousands of tomato varieties (often cited as over 10,000), offering tons of shapes, sizes, and colors to practice from.