How to draw a realistic butterfly with this how-to video and step-by-step drawing instructions. Easy animals to draw for beginners and kids.
Please see the drawing tutorial in the video below
You can refer to the simple step-by-step drawing guide below
Step 1
Draw the thorax and abdomen of the butterfly. This trick will center the butterfly in the center of your paper. The body is made up of the head (circle), the middle thorax (oval shape) and the abdomen (the elongated oval), 2 eyes (semicircles on either side of the head) and 2 antennae.
Step 2
Draw 2 curved lines from the top of the body part (on the sides). Try to make these lines of equal length and curvature.
Step 3
Draw 2 lines from the center of the body (on either side). Make the lines equal in length.
Step 4
Draw 2 curved lines from the bottom of the body (on the sides). Create lines of the same length and arch.
Step 5
Draw a squiggly line to connect the top of the wing to the center (horizontal) line. Do this for both sides of the wings
Step 6
Draw 2 diagonal lines from the end of the center line. Make sure they are the same length.
Step 7
Draw 2 half circles connecting the diagonals from the last step and the bottom arches. Your butterfly’s overall shape is now complete. Take a step back and make sure both sides look roughly equal. Take this opportunity to correct any areas that stand out.
Step 8
The markings and colors on butterfly wings vary by species. Colors and patterns help butterflies camouflage, protect, attract mates, and more. If you want inspiration for your butterfly art, check out this website that features images of over 50 species.
Step 9
Draw 7 lines in each wing quadrant (from teardrop to outer edge).
Step 10
Draw a bubble-like border around the outer edge of the wings
Step 11
Use your pencil to fill in the bordered area between the bubble border and the outer wing.
Step 12
Add some semicircles and “D” shapes for the top 3 parts of the wings. We will fill around them in the next step
Step 13
Color around the patterns you drew in the previous step (using a pencil). Also draw small circles along the top edges of the wings
Step 14
Thicken all lines between sections on both wings
Step 15
Fill in the body, and you’re done!
