Free drawing guide
How to draw a butterfly step by step
This butterfly has a smiling face, curly antennae and four big wings. Start with the head and the body, then add the wings and decorate them. In each picture, the new part is pink, so you always know what to draw next.
- Easy
- About 10 minutes
- 7 steps
What you need
- Paper
- A pencil and an eraser
- Colored pencils, markers or crayons
How to draw a butterfly step by step
In each picture, the new part is pink. Draw it, then go on to the next step.
-
Draw the head and body
Draw a small circle for the head. Under it, draw a long narrow oval for the body.
-
Add the antennae and face
Draw two curly antennae on top of the head. Add two dot eyes and a small smile, then a few curved stripes across the body.
-
Draw the top wings
Draw two big rounded wings on the sides of the body, starting just under the head. Make them the same size.
-
Draw the bottom wings
Under the top wings, draw two smaller wings that point down and out, like teardrops.
-
Decorate the top wings
Draw a curved shape inside each top wing and three small circles near the edge.
-
Decorate the bottom wings
Draw a leaf-like shape inside each bottom wing and a small circle near the tip.
-
Color your butterfly
Go over the final lines. Use bright colors: we used purple and pink for the wings, yellow dots and an orange body.
All steps in one picture
Save it to Pinterest for later, or download a printable PDF with all the steps and a coloring page.
Draw with hints on your iPad or iPhone
In Talma, a blue hint shows each line, and you draw right over it with your finger or Apple Pencil. When you finish, your drawing comes alive.
Download the appFree to download, with free lessons to try
Questions
How do I draw butterfly wings?
Draw two big rounded top wings first, then two smaller bottom wings under them. Draw one side, then copy it on the other side so they match. Steps 3 and 4 show the shapes.
What patterns can I draw on a butterfly?
Simple shapes work best: circles, dots, curved stripes or a smaller copy of the wing shape inside the wing. Steps 5 and 6 show one easy pattern.
Is this butterfly easy enough for kids?
Yes. It is built from simple shapes, and most kids from about 6 can follow it. Younger children can draw it together with a grown-up.
How long does it take to draw this butterfly?
About 10 minutes for the outline. Coloring takes a little longer.
