How to Draw a Butterfly: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

If you want to learn how to draw a butterfly, there are several steps you can take to get started. The first step is to start with a light and simple line drawing. Next, you should outline the colors and shapes of the butterfly's wings. After that, you can lighten them up and fill in the marks at the bottom of the wing.

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Sketching out the shapes of the wings

Photo by @carolina_zuniga_artworks with the Repaper graphic tablet

Butterfly wings have two main parts: upper and lower wings. The upper wings are usually triangular and the lower wings are rounded. The shapes of these parts will vary depending on the species. When sketching a butterfly, start by sketching out the shapes of the butterfly's wings and the spaces between them. Then, add lines to create the details you want.

Once you have the basic shapes of the wings of a butterfly, you can then start drawing the veins and other details. Start with a large oval for each wing, then add smaller ovals inside the ovals. The bottom edge of each wing should be curved, while the top edge should be straight. Once you've completed the main shapes, you can add details to the wing, such as veins running through the center and small dots along the edges.

Outlining the butterfly colors

Drawing made by @carolina_zuniga_artworks on the Repaper graphic tablet

Outlining the colors of a butterfly can be done by using a pencil and a piece of paper. A #1 or #2 pencil is used to make the outline of the butterfly. Then, with a tan or orange pencil, fill in the wing color in the center and edges. The rest of the space on the wings should be white.

Note that the optix gene is responsible for the colors on a butterfly's wings. It also controls the vein outline. When it's absent, the veins turn white.

Lightening the butterfly wings

Animated gif by @carolina_zuniga_artworks on the Repaper graphic tablet

Butterfly wings are composed of a colorless membrane covered with scales. The scales are flattened outgrowths about 50 um wide and 100 um long that overlap like roof tiles. Light that strikes the butterfly's wings interacts with the light reflected off its scales, creating the iridescent appearance.

Filling in the marks on the bottom of butterfly wings

The process of filling in the marks on the bottom wing is the same as that used for coloring butterflies. The process involves making marks, connecting dots, and adding folds. This method will give your butterfly the appearance of veining patterns. You will also notice that the veining on butterflies varies according to species.

The veins on the butterfly's wing can be created by drawing lines or curved lines. Once you have the basic shapes of veins, you can add extra lines to create folds. The bottom wing is divided into three sections. The middle section has six lines and four points.