Where to begin, where to begin? Well, it helps to see the different layers of petals as circles, one within the other. From here we can build the rest of the rose.
Step 2
Starting at the center of the rose is always best. Don't worry about getting everything right and exact, this is only a sketch.
Step 3
This is what you should end up with if you keep working from the inside out. Remember that the outer petals are UNDER the inner ones. It should be obvious if you somehow draw one of the petals in a funky way...
Step 4
Shade in the rose and blend using a tortillion or soft paper.
Step 5
Get your eraser and start erasing the tips and lightest parts of the petals. Don't get carried away though! You want to save some of that shading for you shadows.
Step 6
After you have roughly brightened your petals you can add a dark outline around the flower to make its lightness stand out.
Step 7
Now you can go in with your trusty blending device and blend the dark outline into the background. You can also go into the rose and add a few shadows. And I believe this is as far as I feel like taking this sketch, lets try another one!
Step 8
This time I sketch out the basic form of the rose why keeping the most focus on the center.
Step 9
We can now start our development from the center of the rose outwards.
Step 10
A bit more development...
Step 11
We are almost there!
Step 12
And there we have some pretty line art of a rose! You could call this good enough as a sketch if you don't feel like shading.
Step 13
But if you DO feel like shading shade the rose in and blend with a blending device. Unlike in the first rose, I kept the background clean on this one.
Step 14
Now go in with your trusty eraser and add a few highlights here and there. Also pencil in a few shadows wherever you see fit. You should now have a pretty decent sketch of a rose! Remember that the best way to learn how to create anything is by sketching it. This is the method of sketching that works for me. You may have your own method or you may develop your own method but as long as you keep on sketching efficiently you will keep finding it easier to draw, paint, sculpt,and create everything!