{"id":49245,"title":"Tutorial on Illustrating Butterflies","description":"Welcome to my next tutorial! Want to know how to draw more realistic butterflies than simple cartoon ones? Just refer the images in these steps!","content":"

Welcome to my next tutorial! Want to know how to draw more realistic butterflies than simple cartoon ones? Just copy the images in these steps!<\/strong><\/p>

(I didn\u2019t \u201cdraw\u201d these images, but I did design them using design software. Designs shown may not represent butterfly a hundred percent accurately. Images may have vary slight variations from any other images throughout this post\/similar images in other locations).<\/p>

Post is an edited version of an older one, this post was last edited 7th July 2025.<\/em><\/p>

What are we aiming for?<\/h2>

You\u2019ve got two options: A plain butterfly to add your own design to, or a more detailed one based on a real butterfly species.<\/p>

\"Outline<\/p>

\"A<\/p>

Step 1) Draw the Body and Head<\/h2>

If you\u2019re drawing the simpler outline, you can join the gaps in the image below when referring to it.<\/p>

\"BlackStep 2: Add a Wing<\/h2>

\"SameStep 3: Add the Other Wing<\/p>

\"SameStep 4) Add the Antennae\"Same<\/h2>

If you wanted the simpler outline, you\u2019ve finished! If you want more detail and colour references, follow on below. Maybe just add the eyes and a few spots from the next image if you\u2019re not feeling confident?<\/p>

Step 5) Add the Details<\/h2>

A big step, I know, but perhaps it helps to see everything in proportion at once. Focus on the body, and then one wing section at a time.<\/p>

\"5nmdcvcljjr5ny1pwuravoi2mzxiy1ubmsmhhnse6gficztz.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"Step 6) Add in Colour<\/h2>

\"AWith that you should have finished the steps! Why not try drawing one in a different art style? Want a reference for a butterfly facing the other way? (The image is a mirror of the previous one, including colours shown). Here you go!<\/p>

\"AWant to see more art?<\/h2>

Have you seen my shop<\/u><\/a>? You can buy products there that get printed with my other art, by my product suppliers, when you order! (Please don\u2019t copy or use any of this website\u2019s content that\u2019s not the focus of one of my tutorials. For permissions regarding the use of graphics within this site\u2019s product customiser, please refer to this site\u2019s home page.<\/p>

Until the next time I get in contact, thanks for your time!<\/p>

Alex (\u201cSheffinch\u201d)<\/p>","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-butterflies","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-butterflies\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/tutorial-on-illustrating-butterflies\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/sheffinch.co.uk\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-butterflies\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1747302886,"updatedAt":1751899044,"publishedAt":1751899044,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":351119,"name":"Sheffinch"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pzfsq4ag0e6ec2qifipcecayfnrwb4ru3o9uux3nhd2ab9ay.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pzfsq4ag0e6ec2qifipcecayfnrwb4ru3o9uux3nhd2ab9ay.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pzfsq4ag0e6ec2qifipcecayfnrwb4ru3o9uux3nhd2ab9ay.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":49400,"title":"Tutorial on Illustrating another bee","url":"\/blog\/tutorial-on-illustrating-another-bee\/","urlTitle":"tutorial-on-illustrating-another-bee","division":351119,"description":"Hello and welcome to my next guide for drawing cartoon-like yet fairly realistic images! This time, it\u2019s what I hope are bumblebees!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/veyi63vgkdkfubw6mt0dwuswq573bjf1owrpwct7rm5ddunq.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/veyi63vgkdkfubw6mt0dwuswq573bjf1owrpwct7rm5ddunq.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48959,"title":"Sheffinch Themes | Parties","url":"\/blog\/sheffinch-themes-parties\/","urlTitle":"sheffinch-themes-parties","division":351119,"description":"Hello! Here\u2019s a collection of images I\u2019ve made on the theme of special occasions. I might update it at times, so check back to see if there are any additions in future!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ta0gdb54glgpcbmdtwqmtaask6yazgeutrvhdy1pljeivq3g.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=3.4&fx=0.51359216977094&fy=0.14998329171751","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ta0gdb54glgpcbmdtwqmtaask6yazgeutrvhdy1pljeivq3g.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=3.4&fx=0.51359216977094&fy=0.14998329171751"},"hidden":0},{"id":47759,"title":"No Room for Pond Dipping | Sheffinch Stories","url":"\/blog\/sheffinch-no-room-for-pond-dipping-sheffinch-stories\/","urlTitle":"sheffinch-no-room-for-pond-dipping-sheffinch-stories","division":351119,"description":"I don\u2019t know about you, but when I go to one of my local parks (Hillsborough Park) I can always expect there to be birdlife activity at the pond!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ptwlqkcijuq1v9pizgb86gkfgcxotj2kymb9yavd1qdghcfg.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ptwlqkcijuq1v9pizgb86gkfgcxotj2kymb9yavd1qdghcfg.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}