How to Draw a Butterfly Tattoo

Not all artwork is able to transfer to a tattoo design. If a design is small, the details in the design have to be minimal to avoid blurring of tattoo lines. Tattoo artists inform clients if a design must be enlarged to fit details in a drawing. The tattoo artist tweaks the design to make the drawing suitable for a tattoo. Consider if the details in the design or the size is more important to you before receiving a tattoo.

Instructions

1. Determine the size of the butterfly for the tattoo design. The larger the tattoo design, the more detail can be added to the butterfly's wings. For example, if the butterfly is the size of a quarter, little to no detail in the wings will translate to a tattoo to prevent blurring of the lines. Mark off a section on the drawing paper for the butterfly's size.

2. Draw the left side of the butterfly wing. If you are not an advanced artist, use shapes to draw an outline. Draw a triangle for the top half of the left wing, with the long part of the triangle facing the body of the butterfly and the top peak facing outward and down. Connect half of an oval, laying diagonal to the triangle, for the bottom half of the left wing.

3. Draw a vertical, skinny oval for the body of the butterfly to the right side of the left wing. Proportion the body to look smaller than the wings.

4. Erase the sharp, peaked edges of the triangle in the left wing. Soften the edges by drawing sweeping, half circles in place of the peaked edges.

5. Fold the piece of paper in half--vertically--down the middle of the butterfly body. Flip the folded paper over and trace the wings. The tracing will now be on the back of the paper. Open up the paper and trace the wing onto the other side of the body of the butterfly to create the right wing. This ensures that the wings are symmetrical in the tattoo design.

6. Add details to the butterfly tattoo design. Draw two curved lines coming out of the butterfly's body for the antennae. Draw small circles and horizontal ovals in the wings.
   For a traditional tattoo style butterfly, draw small rips and tears in the wings, making them appear jagged around the edges. Thicken the outline of the wings for a new school tattoo style butterfly.

Tips & Warnings

• Print out a photo of a butterfly to look at for reference when drawing the butterfly tattoo design.

• Color in the butterfly with colored pencils to show the tattoo artist your color preferences.

• Never allow anyone besides a professional, licensed tattoo artist to perform your tattoo.

References

• How To Draw Guide: How to Draw a Butterfly
• Butterfly Pictures: Butterfly Inspiration Pictures

Resources

• Vanishing Tattoo: Butterfly Tattoo Symbolism and Photos
• Rank My Tattoos: Butterfly Tattoo Photo Gallery