How to Draw Wings on a Fairy

One of the most endearing and enduring fantasy creatures in folk mythology and children's tales is the tiny, human-like forest fairy. A creature with magical abilities, the fairy flits through the woodlands with fluttering, shimmering butterfly-type wings. This tutorial with teach you a techique to draw them, step by step.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil
• Paper
• Eraser
• Computer
• Printer

1. 
    
   Wingless Fairy

   Print out the image provided or use it as a reference when drawing or sketching the image.

2. 
    
   Top Part of Wing

   Sketch a large triangle with rounded edges. Press lightly to ensure that you are able to erase.

3. 
    
   Lower Part of Wing

   Sketch in the lower part of the left wing. The upper part of the wing overlaps the lower part, so don't draw the top edge of the wing.

4. 
    
   Right Wing Top

   Sketch the top part of the right wing. The wing is seen at a slight angle, so the shape appears different from the left wing. The lower part of the right wing is hidden behind the fairy's body.

5. 
    
   Shading Wings

   Shading in the wings, starting from the edge and moving inward. The wings should be darker along the edges and lighter in the middle. Shade in the ripples and follow the curving lines as shown in this example. Add shading on the bottom part of the left wing, at the point where the top wing overlaps it.

6. 
    
   Erase in Light Streaks

   Use an eraser to add light streaks in the wings for a bit of shimmer. Follow the curving ripple shapes. Erase a lighter streak, along the front edges of the wings, to show how the ridges offer support.

7. 
    

   Draw in some veins, using the point of your pencil. Add more shading to darken the shadows a bit. Use the eraser to touch up certain areas as well as trim the edges. Job well done! You now know the technique for drawing fairy wings. Try the same effect using color pencils or paints. Have fun and experiment.