How to Draw an Avocado in 8 Easy Steps

Beginner
90 minutes
4/4/2025

Learn how to draw with this step-by-step tutorial.

How to Draw an Avocado in 8 Easy Steps

Materials You'll Need

  • Drawing paper
  • Pencil (HB or 2B)
  • Eraser
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Blending stump
avocado

Welcome to this step-by-step guide on how to draw an avocado! Whether you're a beginner just getting into drawing or an experienced artist looking to add some fresh produce to your sketchbook, you've come to the right place. This tutorial is designed to help you create a realistic and detailed avocado illustration, from the smooth curves of its outer skin to the rich texture of the pit and the creamy interior.

We'll break the process down into easy-to-follow steps, covering everything from basic shapes and proportions to subtle shading and finishing touches that make your avocado pop off the page. Plus, you'll get a few tips along the way to help your drawing look both natural and delicious.

So grab your favorite drawing tools, find a comfy spot, and let's bring this beloved fruit to life—no guac required!

Materials Required

Before we begin, gather the following materials:

Now that you have everything you need, let's dive into the process of drawing an avocado!

Step 1: Basic Outline

Start by drawing a simple oval shape that will serve as the main body of the avocado. You can make the oval slightly elongated to imitate a real avocado's shape. Don't worry about perfection at this stage, as we will refine our drawing as we progress.

Step 2: Divide the Avocado

Draw a vertical line down the center of the oval. This line represents the division between the two halves of the avocado. Make the line slightly curved to give a more organic appearance.

Step 3: Texture and Pit

To add texture to our avocado, draw small ovals or curved lines across the surface. These lines imitate the bumpy skin of an avocado. Next, draw an oval shape near the top portion of the avocado to represent the pit. The pit should be slightly off-center.

Step 4: Details

Now, let's refine the outline of our avocado. Go over the basic shape, making the edges smoother and more defined. Erase any unnecessary lines, such as the division line we drew in step 2.

Step 5: Add Leaves

Avocados are often depicted with leaves at the top. Draw a small stem extending from the top of the avocado, and add two or three pointed leaves radiating from the stem. These leaves can be drawn as elongated ovals or teardrop shapes.

Step 6: Shading

To make our avocado drawing more realistic, let's add some shading. Identify the light source in your drawing and imagine it coming from a specific direction. Begin by shading the side opposite the light source. Use light pencil strokes to gradually darken the area.

Step 7: Blending and Highlights

After shading, use your finger, a blending stump, or a tortillon to gently blend the shaded area. This will create a smooth transition between the shaded and unshaded regions. Additionally, add some highlights to the avocado by erasing small portions of the shaded area to simulate the reflection of light.

Step 8: Color (optional)

If you wish to add color to your avocado drawing, use green-colored pencils or markers to fill in the main body of the avocado. Try to vary the shades of green to make it look more natural. You can also use brown or grey for the pit and light green for the leaves.

Tip: To capture the unique shape of an avocado, start by using light pencil strokes to sketch the basic outline, focusing on its characteristic oval form. Pay special attention to the slight asymmetry of the avocado, which adds to its realism. Once you have the basic shape, use a blending stump or your finger to gently smudge the edges for a soft, organic look before moving on to detailing. For the pit, remember that it isn't perfectly round; it has a more oblong shape, so draw it slightly off-center to enhance the natural feel. Finally, when shading, use a range of values from light to dark to create depth, especially around the curves, which will make your avocado appear three-dimensional and luscious!

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have completed the step-by-step guide on how to draw an avocado! By following these instructions, you have learned how to create a detailed and realistic avocado illustration. Practice regularly and experiment with different shading techniques and colors to enhance your drawing skills. Enjoy the process of creating art and have fun!

Fun Facts About Avocados

  • Avocados are technically a fruit, specifically a berry with a large seed, and they're native to Mexico and Central America.

  • They contain more potassium than bananas, offering around 975 milligrams per cup.

  • Avocados are one of the fattiest plant foods on the planet, comprising about 77% fat, mostly heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

  • The word "avocado" comes from the Aztec word "ahuacatl," which means testicle, inspired by its shape.

  • Avocados were first domesticated 5,000 years ago and have been cultivated by people in Central and South America since then.

  • Over 2,000 varieties of avocados exist, with 'Hass' being the most popular type in the U.S.

  • California produces the most avocados in the United States, with over 5,000 avocado farms in the state alone.

  • Avocado pits can be used to make natural dye that ranges in color from pink to peach.

  • In an annual festival in Mexico, a 20,000-pound bowl of guacamole was made using thousands of avocados.

  • Despite being high in calories, avocados can aid in weight management, as they are filling and nutrient-dense.

Suggestions for Scenes and Settings for Avocado Drawings

  • Tropical Picnic: Illustrate a sunny scene on a beach with avocados sliced open alongside mangoes and pineapples, bathing in the sunshine.

  • Avocado Orchard: Create a lush grove filled with avocado trees, showcasing their shiny green fruits hanging among thick foliage.

  • Guacamole Fiesta: Design a vibrant party setting with avocados being mashed into guacamole, surrounded by tortilla chips and colorful decorations.

  • Avocado Submarine: Imagine a cross-section of an avocado transformed into a whimsical submarine exploring the ocean depths.

  • Avocado Snack Party: Draw a lively kitchen counter scene with avocados prepared in various forms – sliced, smashed, and made into delicious toast toppings.

  • Avocado Planet: Depict a fantastical world where rolling hills are made of giant avocados and their seeds are entire forests.

  • Avocado Bodybuilders: Create a humorous gym scene with avocados lifting weights and flexing their "muscles" of healthy fats.

  • Avocado Wildlife: Picture a rainforest where birds and monkeys feast on avocados, with the fruits adding bursts of green to the landscape.

  • Nutrient Cityscape: Design a futuristic city where the buildings are in the shape of avocados, and pathways are lined with healthy food stalls.

  • Queen Avocado's Court: Invent a royal scene with an avocado as the queen, complete with a pit crown and leafy robe in a fruit-themed palace.