You may need to learn how to draw a flag for a school project, or if you want to create a drawing to express your interest in a particular subject. In either case, following these basic guidelines will help you to create your drawing, even if you have little to no artistic talent. Drawing can be a great hobby, and offers many different techniques for you to experiment with. Before heading to the drawing board, here are some helpful steps to make your path to creating a flag drawing easier.

Flags can have a variety of meanings. They can be used to identify a country, state or region. They are commonly used to signify a belonging such as the days of pirates, or to rally support in cases such as politics or other causes. While we commonly associate the flag with a specific geographical area, it can also be used to give a visual signal in sports such as football or car racing. Flags are also used to perform a job for activities such as sailing and weather related tasks.

Flags can be made from many different types of materials such as plastic, vinyl or fabric. Since approximately 1000 B.C., flags have played a significant part in the way we communicate with others. Egyptians used to use flags, some made of wood or metals to signal others or identifying themselves. History shows that the military act of capturing the other army's flag was a sign of victory and honor. It wasn't until the 1800's that national flags became commonplace. http://www.worldflags101.com/

Taking a hobby such as drawing will require a few basic materials. Before starting any project, you'll need to have the right tools to create your drawing. Depending on the style of drawing you wish to create, there are different techniques and mediums to choose from. http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/drawings/DrawingMaterials/BasicDrawingL1/BasicDrawingL1.htm

1. Paper. While any style of paper will do, the type of paper will determine what drawing utensils are best. Types of paper can range from a thin transparent sheet, to a coarse, thick paper. Also, consider the subject that you'll be drawing. Flags are generally drawn within a larger picture, so depending on the background and size you are interested in creating, you'll need to purchase a drawing tablet, or a larger project style paper.
2. Pencils. By far the most commonly used drawing utensils, pencils come in varying forms. They may be made from charcoal, carbon, graphite or the popular lead style. They also offer the artist different intensity to add depth to the drawing. The best way to determine which is better, is to experiment with them prior to beginning your drawing.
3. Charcoal. Either made into sticks or pencils, charcoal is a challenge especially for newer artists as it is not as controlled, and can be “messy”.
4. Chalk. Available in a variety of colors and shades, chalk is similar in techniques as charcoal.
5. Wax Crayons. Utilizing the different sides and points of these crayons, adding color to a drawing can be achieved through this technique.
6. Pens or Ink. Mostly used in more advanced works, pens and inks are challenging as they are not erasable, and provide a very precise and thin form of a line.

Drawing a flag can be done in many different ways. You could use it as a part of the background in a larger drawing, which can be used to show wind or direction. It can be the focus of the drawing for projects such as for school or an organization. In either case, it's a good idea to know what you would like to draw, before beginning the project. Once you have decided on your subject, it may be helpful to have a picture of the flag you'd like to draw. This will help to capture any details that you may not have committed to memory. There are many web sites that have pictures of the flags of each nation that can be used to provide detail for you drawings. http://geography.about.com/od/countryinformation/ig/Country-Flags.--Az/

• Start by beginning a rough draft of your drawing. This is a sketch that will outline the basic forms in your drawing. It will help you to identify placement of the items in your drawing and allow you to change them until they are where you'd like them to be. A rough sketch is not detailed, and only has the basic forms such as mountains, building locations and other large subjects within the drawing. Lines of your sketch should be light and general. For a rough sketch of a flag, simply the shape and contours are all that is needed. The details will be added later. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rough+drawing

• Have a picture or actual flag handy. By examining the details of the flag, you'll be better able to recreate it. For example, if the flag is to be waving, you'll need to know where to alter the details to ensure that it flows with the contour of the flag.

• Draw in steps. Trying to capture the entire drawing all at once can be overwhelming. Take one basic step at a time.

1. Give light basic lines for the background such as water, mountains, and other scenery. Establish the background image.
2. Outline the shape of the flag.
3. Draw a rough outline for the mast or flagpole.
4. Draw the features of the flag such as large emblems or lines that may be effected by its shape.

After completing your rough sketch, it's time to add details. These lines are darker than your sketch lines, and are more defined. Also, you can now begin adding the details of your flag. These could be lines to represent creases or folds in fabric, markings in a flag pole or other mechanical details. Also, detail should be given to the background subjects such as the leaves and trunks of a tree, or doors and windows of a building. These lines should be smooth and more defined.

Once you have finalized the details of your drawing, it's time to render shading and color. If you prefer to leave it black and white, then you can begin the shading process. Shading is used to show light sources, shape and perception. For example, showing light is done by placing a dark shading on areas of an object that do not have much light. On areas that have a larger amount of light, the shading is lighter or non-existent. When shading, you can either make lines, and use your finger or a shading tool to rub out the markings and create a smooth shadow. You can also represent shade with many fine lines or markings, which is commonly seen in a pen drawing. http://learn-to-draw.com/members/drawing-basics/0119.htm

If you'd like to add color to your drawing, this can be another way to add depth and shading. By using different variations of one color, shading an object can be done while adding color. Darker shades for where there is little to no light, and lighter for those with increase exposure.