How to Draw a Blue Morpho Butterfly: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a nature lover or an art enthusiast, you can easily create a stunning illustration of a blue morpho butterfly with just a few basic materials and some patience. This butterfly is known for its spectacular cobalt blue wings, which are perfect for any art project that requires a pop of color. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of drawing a blue morpho butterfly using simple techniques.

Before we get started, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, this butterfly has a symmetrical wing pattern, so try to draw both wings identically. Secondly, take your time and be patient, as it might take a few attempts to perfect your drawing. Lastly, remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t worry if your first attempt isn’t exactly how you imagined it would be. With that said, let’s jump right into drawing a blue morpho butterfly.

Section Two: Materials You’ll Need to Draw a Blue Morpho Butterfly

Gather These Supplies for Your Blue Morpho Butterfly Drawing

Creating a stunning drawing of a blue morpho butterfly requires the right materials to make the artwork pop. Here’s a list of essential art supplies you can use to draw this beautiful butterfly.

1. Pencil: Start with a regular HB pencil for sketching the butterfly outline. Make sure to sharpen your pencil well for precise drawing.

2. Eraser: An eraser allows you to make adjustments to your sketch without having to start over.

3. Drawing paper: To create your blue morpho butterfly masterpiece, you’ll need a high-quality drawing paper.

4. Colored pencils: You’ll need various shades of blue, black, and white pencils to accurately recreate a blue morpho butterfly.

5. Paints: Some artists prefer painting for this project instead of colored pencils. If this is the case for you, you’ll need a set of watercolor paints with different shades of blue, black, and white.

6. Paintbrushes: Choose different sizes of paintbrushes to get fine, medium, and large brush strokes for more dynamic painting.

7. Felt tip pens: These are especially handy for adding fine details like veins on the butterfly wings.

8. Ruler: Perfect lines are key in drawing a butterfly, and a ruler helps you achieve precise lines.

9. Table: Make sure you have a solid, flat surface to work on, such as a desk or table, so that your drawing doesn’t get smudged.

10. Reference image: A picture of a blue morpho butterfly is necessary to guide you while drawing. You can find reference images in books, online, on postcards, or in gardens.

Now that you have your materials ready, you’re all set to begin drawing your blue morpho butterfly!

Section 2: Materials Needed to Draw a Blue Morpho Butterfly

Drawing a blue morpho butterfly requires some essential tools and materials to achieve the perfect drawing. Here are some of the things you need to get started.

1. White Paper

The type of paper you use is crucial to the quality of your drawing. It’s important to choose a good quality paper that’s not too thin or too thick. It should be able to withstand the pressure of the pencil and eraser. Consider using a white drawing paper or sketch pad as they are ideal for pencil and other dry media.

2. Pencils and Erasers

When it comes to drawing the blue morpho butterfly, a set of graphite pencils with varying degrees of hardness is necessary. You’ll need some pencils with soft lead for shading the wings and other parts of the butterfly. You’ll also need some hard lead pencils for sketching the outlines and details. An eraser is just as important because it allows you to correct your mistakes before committing to a final drawing.

3. Colored Pencils

Drawing a blue morpho butterfly also requires colored pencils. You’ll need some blue pencils for coloring in the wings and other areas. Colored pencils come in different hues and shades, so choose the right ones that closely resemble the morpho’s blue color.

4. Brushes and Watercolors

Using some watercolor and brushes can add dimension and vibrancy to your drawing. If you want to create a background or add some texture, brushes and watercolors can achieve the look you desire.

5. Rulers and Protractors

The use of rulers and protractors is necessary in ensuring accurate measurements and proportions of the butterfly’s wings. With a ruler, you can draw straight and parallel lines, while protractors help to create perfect angles, making your drawing look more realistic.

6. Magnifying Glass

A magnifying glass can be useful in allowing you to see finer details of the butterfly more clearly. This will help you to capture all of the intricate patterns and textures of the wings.

7. Blending Tools

Blending tools like blending stumps, or tortillons, can help blur and enhance gradient effects on your drawing. It is especially useful for shading the wings and for creating the velvety texture of the butterfly.

8. Scotch Tape

Scotch tape is essential in masking areas while coloring or drawing. It is useful in creating precise edges, preventing colors from bleeding into the wrong areas, and keeping your piece clean.

9. Reference Images

To draw a blue morpho butterfly, you need a model. Having a clear reference image will help you understand the intricate details and patterns that make up the butterfly. You can use a photograph or an actual butterfly in this regard.

10. Patience and Practice

Finally, drawing a blue morpho butterfly requires patience and practice. Becoming proficient in drawing takes time, and you’ll need to practice diligently to get better. The first attempts might not yield a perfect drawing, but with patience and practice, you can get better and better, until you’re happy with your final drawing.

How to Draw a Blue Morpho Butterfly: Sketching and Outlining

Now that you have gathered the necessary tools and materials for drawing a blue morpho butterfly, it’s time to start creating a rough sketch.

1. Begin with Basic Shapes

The first step in creating a sketch is to start with basic shapes that will serve as a guide for your drawing. Draw a large oval for the body of the butterfly and two smaller ones for the antennae. The wings of a blue morpho butterfly are large and rounded. Draw two large oval shapes for the forewings and two small ones for the hindwings.

2. Add Details and Texture

Once you have the basic shapes in place, it’s time to add details and texture. Look at reference pictures to see the specific characteristics of the blue morpho butterfly. Pay attention to the markings on the wings and the details of the legs and antennae. Use short, light strokes to create the texture of the butterfly’s wings, which usually have rows of small dots.

3. Clean Up Your Sketch

After adding details, take the time to clean up your sketch. Erase any unwanted lines and don’t be afraid to redraw areas that don’t look quite right. Use a kneaded eraser for small details such as the dots on the butterfly’s wings.

4. Outline Your Sketch

Once you’re satisfied with your sketch, grab a pencil with a harder lead and begin to outline your drawing. Make sure to emphasize the edges of the wings to create the butterfly’s distinctive shape. When you’re finished with the outline, darken it with a black pen or marker.

5. Add Color to Your Drawing

One of the most important and exciting steps is to add color to your drawing. Blue morpho butterflies have distinctive, iridescent blue wings. Lightly apply the blue color with a colored pencil or watercolor paint. In addition to the blue color, you can also add other colors such as black and white to give your butterfly more depth and realism.

Creating a drawing of a blue morpho butterfly can be challenging, but it can also be fun and rewarding. With practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful drawings of this magnificent insect.

Thanks for Joining Me on My Butterfly Drawing Journey!

I hope this tutorial has helped you learn how to draw a beautiful blue morpho butterfly. Remember to take your time and practice, practice, practice. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s how we learn and grow as artists. Now go out there and create your own lifelike butterfly masterpiece! Thank you for reading and come back again soon for more drawing tips and tricks.