In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Butterfly in 12 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Butterfly.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Butterfly - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: First draw the body. There are two long thin oval-shaped segments. The top segment is shorter than the bottom segment.
Step 2: Now draw the left wings. The top part of the wing is triangle shaped. It attaches to the top segment. The bottom part of the wing is squarish and attaches to the bottom segment.
Step 3: Draw the exact same wings on the right side.
Step 4: Add some oval shaped patterns on the top part of the left wing.
Step 5: Continue adding smaller oval shaped and circle shaped patterns on the top part of the left wing.
Step 6: Now draw some oval shaped patterns on the bottom part of the wing. These lines begin at the top corner of the bottom wing.
Step 7: Continue adding smaller circle shaped patterns on the bottom outer part of the wing.
Step 8: Draw the oval shaped patterns on the top part of the right wing. Try to make these patterns the mirror-image of the patterns you drew on the left wing.
Step 9: Continue adding smaller circle shaped patterns on the top outer part of the right wing.
Step 10: Draw some oval shaped patterns on the bottom part of the right wing. Do your best to make them the exact mirror image of the patterns on the left wing.
Step 11: Keep drawing smaller circle shaped patterns on the bottom outer part of the right wing.
Step 12: Finally, draw two curved lines to make the antennas from the top segment of the body.
Interesting Facts about Butterflies
Every butterfly species is unique. Similar to snowflakes, no two butterflies have the same pattern on their wings.
Butterflies go through a process called metamorphosis. They’re born as crawling caterpillars and change into fluttering butterflies.
Did you know?
- Butterflies have exoskeletons, which means that their skeletons are on the outside of their bodies.
- Butterflies are coldblooded. They need warmth from the sun to fly. They will not fly unless their body temperature is at least 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The size of butterflies can range from 1 inch to 12 inches.
- Butterflies hide from enemies by changing their appearance to blend into leaves, bark, and other surfaces.
- Butterflies live on every continent except Antarctica.
- Butterflies taste with their feet and they have four wings. Their wings consist of tiny scales, each a different color.
- There are thousands of species of butterflies. In most species, the female is larger than the male, and females usually live longer too.
The butterfly’s diet includes the nectar of flowers, juice from rotting fruit, and water. They sip the liquids through a tube. Butterflies are like humans when it comes to sleep. They are active during the day and sleep at night, usually sleeping in grassy areas or underneath leaves.
How to Draw A Butterfly – Quick Step-by-Step Tutorial
