Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Realistic Monarch Butterfly

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

Creating a detailed and realistic drawing of monarch butterfly doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right steps and materials, you can sketch and color a beautiful representation of this stunning creature. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from gathering your materials to putting the final touches on your piece.

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you start your drawing of a monarch butterfly, it's important to have the right tools at hand. This not only ensures that your work will turn out as intended, but also makes the drawing process smoother and more enjoyable. Let's take a look at what you'll need.

Choosing the Right Sketchbook

Your choice of sketchbook can greatly impact the quality of your drawing. For a realistic drawing of a monarch butterfly, consider a sketchbook with medium to heavy weight paper. This kind of paper can handle erasure and heavy pencil work without tearing. Brands like Strathmore or Moleskine are popular choices among artists. Remember, it's not just about the brand, but about what feels right for you.

Selecting Drawing Pencils

Next, you'll need a good set of drawing pencils. For this project, you'll want a range of pencils to capture the delicate details and varying shades of a monarch butterfly. A set that includes a range from 2H to 6B should do the trick. These letters and numbers indicate the hardness and blackness of the pencil, and having a variety allows you to create depth and texture in your drawing.

Picking Out Colors

Last but not least, you'll need colors to bring your butterfly to life. Colored pencils are a great choice for this task. Prismacolor, Faber-Castell, and Derwent are some of the brands that offer high-quality colored pencils. For a monarch butterfly, you'll need shades of orange, black, and white. You might also want to have a few other colors on hand for blending and shading.

With your materials ready, you're set to embark on your journey to creating a beautiful drawing of a monarch butterfly. In the next section, we'll dive into studying the butterfly itself to understand its unique characteristics.

2. Study the Monarch Butterfly

Before you start your drawing of a monarch butterfly, it's important to study its unique features. This will help you capture the essence of the monarch and make your drawing more realistic. Let's dive into the details and explore the color patterns, body shape, and wing design of a monarch butterfly.

Observe the Color Pattern

The iconic monarch butterfly is known for its vibrant colors. Their wings are a rich orange, accented with bold black lines and white spots along the edges. The underside of their wings, however, is a paler orange and the white spots are larger. When you're creating your drawing of a monarch butterfly, these are the colors you'll want to recreate.

Note the Body Shape

The body of a monarch butterfly is quite distinctive. It's segmented into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head holds the eyes and antennae, the thorax houses the legs and wings, and the abdomen contains vital organs. Recognizing these parts will help you draw the body accurately.

Pay Attention to the Wing Design

The wings of the monarch are arguably its most recognizable feature. They have a unique shape—almost like a heart split down the middle. The wings also have a distinctive pattern. Black lines branch out from the body and create a series of cells on the wings. Each cell is filled with orange, and the edges of the wings have a line of white spots. When you're drawing the wings, take your time to capture these details.

Now that you have studied the intricate features of the monarch butterfly, you are ready to start sketching. In the next section, we’ll guide you through creating a basic outline for your drawing of a monarch butterfly.

3. Start with a Basic Outline

Now that you're familiar with the unique features of a monarch butterfly, you're ready to put pencil to paper. But before you dive into the nitty-gritty, let's start with a basic outline. This will give you a clear structure to follow as you progress with your drawing of a monarch butterfly.

Draw the Body

Start with the body of the butterfly. Remember, it is divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is the smallest part, followed by the thorax, and then the abdomen, which is the longest. Use light strokes for the outline as you may need to make adjustments as you go along.

Sketch the Wings

Next, sketch the wings. They should be roughly the same size and mirror images of each other. The wings of a monarch butterfly are almost heart-shaped, so think of drawing a heart that's been split down the middle. Start from the thorax and draw the upper part of the wing first, followed by the lower part. Don't worry about the intricate patterns just yet—that's a detail we'll add later.

Great job on completing the basic outline! With the outline in place, you're ready to move onto the next step—adding details to your drawing of a monarch butterfly. This will bring your butterfly to life and add a touch of realism.

4. Add Details to Your Drawing

With your basic outline ready, it's time to dive into the finer details. This step is what transforms your sketch into a realistic drawing of a monarch butterfly. Ready to get started?

Draw the Wing Patterns

Monarch butterflies are known for their distinctive wing patterns. Each wing features a series of black lines that create a unique pattern. Start by sketching these lines, remembering to keep them symmetrical on both wings. Also, note that the pattern is denser towards the edges. Try to replicate this in your drawing, but don't forget, perfection isn't the goal here—it's about capturing the essence of the monarch butterfly.

Add the Antennae and Legs

Now, let's move on to the antennae and legs. Sketch two thin, long lines protruding from the head for the antennae, with a slight curve. The monarch butterfly has six legs, so draw three on each side of the thorax. Keep them slender and segmented. Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet? Just a fun fact to keep in mind while you're working on those legs!

Well done! You've successfully added the intricate details to your drawing. The next stage will bring even more vibrancy and realism to your monarch butterfly as we add color.

5. Color Your Butterfly

Now that you've added all the details, it's time to bring your drawing of a monarch butterfly to life with colors. Remember, the iconic monarch butterfly is not just any ordinary butterfly—it's a beautiful blend of orange, black, and white. You'll need to add these colors carefully to make your drawing as realistic as possible. Let's get started, shall we?

Apply Base Colors

Begin by applying the base colors. The main part of the monarch butterfly's wings is a vibrant orange. Use your chosen medium to fill in the wings, but be careful to avoid the spots where the black lines and white spots will go. The body of the butterfly is black, so go ahead and fill that in too. Remember, it's okay if it's not perfect—nature isn't!

Add Shading and Highlights

Now, let's add some depth to your butterfly. Using a slightly darker orange, add some shading to the wings, particularly around the edges and near the body. This gives the illusion of a light source and adds dimension to your drawing. Next, take a white color and add highlights to the black body and along the top edges of the wings. These small details make a big difference in creating a realistic drawing of a monarch butterfly.

Great job! You've added color to your butterfly, and it's starting to look pretty realistic, right? But we're not done yet. It's time to review our work and add the finishing touches.

6. Finalize Your Drawing

With colors in place, you're nearly finished with your drawing of a monarch butterfly. But before you put your pencil down, let's take a moment to review your work, make any necessary corrections, and then sign and date your masterpiece.

Review Your Work

Take a step back and look at your drawing. Is everything in proportion? Does the color pattern on the wings match the unique pattern of a monarch butterfly? Don't be too hard on yourself, though. Remember, art is about expressing yourself, not about achieving perfection.

Make Any Necessary Corrections

Using an eraser, gently rub out any errors or smudges in the drawing. If you notice any areas where the color is not quite right, go back and adjust it. You've got this! You're creating a realistic drawing of a monarch butterfly, and every little detail counts.

Sign and Date Your Work

Now for the final touch—your signature. Sign and date your work in a corner of the paper. This is your masterpiece, after all! You should be proud of what you've accomplished. Drawing a detailed and realistic monarch butterfly is no easy task, but you've done it. Well done!

And there you have it—a step-by-step guide to drawing a realistic monarch butterfly. With practice, patience, and a bit of creativity, you've created a beautiful piece of art. Keep drawing and keep exploring your talents. Who knows? Maybe your next masterpiece is just a sketch away.

If you enjoyed our step-by-step guide to drawing a realistic Monarch butterfly and want to further enhance your drawing skills, especially with the use of color, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Connecting To Drawing: Colour' by Molley May. This workshop will help you explore the world of color in drawing and provide you with the techniques to create stunning, vibrant artwork.