How to Draw Butterfly Wings
Butterfly wings have captured the imagination of artists for thousands of years, and were even included in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Their range of colors and diverse patterns make an excellent drawing subject, particularly when learning about color theory and shading. Using a picture of an Adonis Blue butterfly and a Monarch butterfly as a guide, drawing butterfly wings from an overhead and side perspective is a simple task (see Resources).
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Things You'll Need
- Colored pencils
- Charcoal pencil
- Eraser
- White paper
- Pictures of butterflies as models
Instructions
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How to Draw an Adonis Blue Butterfly's Wings: Overhead Example
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1
Draw the shape of the four wings of the Adonis Blue butterfly. From overhead, the four wings are clearly displayed, and the outline ends up looking like a bow on a present.
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2
Look at the picture of the Adonis Blue butterfly and select a colored pencil that matches its lightest color. Color in the butterfly wings and the body of the butterfly with this light blue color.
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3
Study the texture of the Adonis Blue butterfly's wings. From overhead, clear ridges in the wings are visible, and the deep grooves in the wings appear darker than the rest of the wings. Using the same colored pencil, color in the deep grooves in the Adonis Blue butterfly's wings.
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4
Draw the black outline around the Adonis Blue butterfly's wings with a black charcoal pencil. The ridges that extend out to the white outline of the Adonis Blue butterfly's wings are marked with black also.
How to Draw a Monarch Butterfly's Wings: Side View Example
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5
Study the image of the Monarch butterfly, taken from a side view. Only two wings are visible from a side view, with one overlapping the other. Draw the two wings of the Monarch butterfly, as seen from the side.
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6
Draw the body of the Monarch butterfly to aid in the positioning of patterns on the wing. Draw the border of small dots around the edge of the wings and copy the oblong orange and yellow spots that are also on the wings.
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7
Select a cream colored and pumpkin colored pencil. Color in the oblong spots on the Monarch butterfly's wings. Pay attention to where the spots appear darker and lighter in the photograph, and shade in the spots accordingly.
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8
Color in the black portions of the Monarch butterfly's wings with a black charcoal pencil.
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