Students were guided through the process of drawing a realistic gift bow from the top view. Once they established the center shape, they learned how to build the bow through repeated and certain number of cone shapes. Students first practiced drawing and shading with pencil. For the final drawing they first made a light gray under-drawing with black color pencil and then blended their choice of analogous colors from dark, medium, and light starting from the sides of the cone shapes towards the center. For example, a green bow may use turquoise, dark green, and light green. Students were instructed to keep the center of the cones white for the shine of the ribbon.  Lastly, a side was chosen to depict a soft cast shadow. This project gave students confidence in realistic drawing because it taught them to break down subject matter into recognizable shapes. Their value gradation skills using colored pencils were also strengthened at the same time. This lesson builds essential drawing and coloring skills through a structured, accessible, and rewarding process.