Butterflies are a good example of symmetry in nature where one wing seems to reflect the pattern of the other. Whileno two sides are ever exactly the same, try to replicate the wings patterns using mirror symmetry.
Step 1: Draw the three segments of the butterfly: the head, abdomen, and thorax, using long ellipses and circle shapes.
Step 2:Add curves for wings. Whatever shapes you draw on one side of the body, try to draw the flip image on the other (mirror symmetry).
Step 3: Draw a series of curves that are similar to stacked raindrops and oval shapes. Try to keep both sides similar.
Step 4: Fill in a layer of tone around the outsides of the shapes drawn to create a “frame” of dark shade. Fill in the body as well.
Step 5: Add a lighter layer of tone to the rest of the butterfly. Smooth with a blending tool. Use an eraser to remove some small areas of pigment inside the “frame” for more detail.
Extra: Clean up smudgy areas, then erase a strip down each body segment for a shiny effect. Smooth tones and darken the “frame” for more contrast.
