Food · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a birthday cake: Two Tiers and Upright Candles
Explore birthday cake through four selected drawing stages. Focus on two tiers and upright candles and a textured crayon finish.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 4 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice birthday cake with attention to two tiers and upright candles.
Shapes and proportions
Fit the small upper tier on the wider lower cylinder and stand the candles on its top ellipse.
A common mistake
Tiers with unrelated curved edges appear to slide apart.
How to fix it
Center the upper tier and compare both curved front edges.
This birthday cake study focuses on two tiers and upright candles. Fit the small upper tier on the wider lower cylinder and stand the candles on its top ellipse. The exercise is about keeping these visible shapes readable before adding small marks or color.
These are four selected stages, not a complete stroke-by-stroke sequence. Blue guide lines mark additions in the source images. Compare the pictures for the overall shape changes; use the complete LittlePaper lesson for the smaller steps between them.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil and crayons matching the example. Leave room around the drawing for proportion checks before making the outlines darker.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 4
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Selected stage 3: early shapes
This picture shows source stage 3 of 10 for birthday cake, not the next single stroke. Fit the small upper tier on the wider lower cylinder and stand the candles on its top ellipse. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 6: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 6 of 10 for birthday cake, not the next single stroke. Center the upper tier and compare both curved front edges. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: two tiers and upright candles
Compare the finished birthday cake outline with the earlier selected stages. Tiers with unrelated curved edges appear to slide apart. Center the upper tier and compare both curved front edges.
Complete outline: two tiers and upright candles · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: warm orange, pink, warm red, soft gray, blue-gray
Use the colored birthday cake example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes warm orange, pink, warm red, soft gray, blue-gray. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: warm orange, pink, warm red, soft gray, blue-gray · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses warm orange, pink, warm red, soft gray, blue-gray. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Center the upper tier and compare both curved front edges.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “How to Draw a Cake Step by Step Drawing Tutorial” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
