How to Draw Butterflies

Ohio Buckeye Butterfly

Draw a butterfly and add it to your portfolio or visual diary. Save it for reference to paint or add color to at a later time. Drawing is a useful tool when designing or creating a image reference for paintings, in this process one will learn how to draw a butterfly.

Things You'll Need

• Sketch diary
• Eraser
• No.2 pencil
• Sharpener

Instructions

1. 

   Gather your sketch diary and a pencil. Keep a pencil sharpener on hand to use when needed. What paper you use is a personal choice. The paper shown is extra heavy, chipboard back for better support and a medium weight. The size of your sketch diary is also personal preference; the size used here is 9.5-inches by 6-inches.

2. 

   Photographs can be found online searching Google images. The linear aspect or outline is what will be drawn. For this example, I have chosen to draw an Ohio buckeye butterfly. Begin drawing, make sure you are comfortable and all your supplies are within reach.

3. 

   Don't be concerned about using the eraser. Everything can be changed, including starting over completely. In observational drawing, the outline is the first point of detail needed.

4. 

   Making the adjustments as you go, decide if the outline is as you desire. Make any correction before adding detail.

5. 

   Take a look at the image used to observe and check the details add them at this time. It is the detail that will depict the type of butterfly being portrayed.