How to Draw a Butterfly (Easy Step by Step)
A butterfly is a great first drawing because it is built from simple shapes: a long skinny oval for the body, a small circle for the head, and four rounded wings. Both sides match, so once you draw one wing, you know how to draw the other. The curly feelers and round spots make it look friendly.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a butterfly step by step
How to Draw a Butterfly · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The body
Draw a long, skinny oval standing up straight in the middle of your page. Make both ends a little pointy, like a grain of rice.
Step 3: Head and eyes
Draw a small circle sitting right on top of the body so it touches the pointy top. Add two little dots inside for eyes.
Step 4: Top wings
Start at the body just below the head and draw a big rounded wing that sweeps up and out to the side. Curve it back in to meet the body a bit lower down. Do the same on the other side so the wings match.
Step 5: Bottom wings
Below each top wing, draw a rounded wing shaped like a big teardrop. Start at the middle of the body, swing out wide, and curve back in to touch the body near the bottom.
Step 6: Curly feelers
From the top of the head, draw two curved lines going up and outward. Finish each one with a little curl, like a tiny snail shell.
Step 7: Wing spots
Draw one big circle in the middle of each top wing. Then draw one smaller circle in each bottom wing.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your butterfly? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a rainbow or how to draw a cactus next.
Tips for drawing a butterfly
- Draw the body first and keep it straight up and down. The wings will be easier to match on both sides.
- The wings are the trickiest part. Think of each one as a big rounded teardrop, and check that the left and right wings are about the same size.
- Draw the spots as circles by tracing around a coin or a bottle cap with a light pencil, then go over it with a darker line.
Free butterfly coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this butterfly coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your butterfly drawing
Try pink, purple and orange wings with bright yellow spots. You can also give every wing its own pattern of dots or stripes.
Butterfly fun fact for kids
Butterflies taste with their feet. When one lands on a leaf or a flower, tiny sensors on its feet tell it if the plant is good to eat or a good place to lay eggs.
Questions about drawing a butterfly
What shapes do I need to draw a butterfly?
You need a long skinny oval for the body, a small circle for the head, and four rounded teardrop shapes for the wings. Add two dots for eyes, two curly lines for the feelers, and circles for the spots.
How do I make both butterfly wings match?
Draw the body first and use it as a middle line. Draw the left wing, then copy its size and shape on the right side, checking that the tips are at the same height.
How do I make my butterfly look cuter?
Curl the feelers into little swirls and make the spots big and round. Drawing the head a little larger also helps.
