How to Draw a Butterfly
A monarch butterfly spreads its patterned wings around a slender body and curved antennae. Study the balanced wing shapes and contrasting markings in a view that keeps the whole butterfly visible on the page.
Start the lessonStage 1: Build the Wing Layout
Sketch a long, narrow oval for the body. Place two large, tilted ovals above two smaller, rounded wing shapes, balancing them on either side.
Stage 2: Shapes
Refine the upper wings into broad triangular shapes with rounded tips and flatter lower edges. Keep the lower wings rounded, narrowing each where it meets the slender body.
Stage 3: Add Veins and Body Details
Define the small head, oval middle section, and long lower body with a few curved bands. Add two eyes and long, curved antennae with thickened tips. Draw branching wing veins, narrow border outlines, and oval spots along the outer edges.
Stage 4: Finish the Butterfly Sketch
Outline a second row of small spots along the wing borders and small markings on the head and middle body. Thicken the wing veins and shade the margins and body dark around the spots, keeping the spots white. Lightly shade the wing panels, darken the antennae and add fine body strokes, leaving the lower-body bands light.
Explore colour
Add colour
Make room for your drawing.
One page, 4 stages, and space to draw.
