Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a butterfly on a flower: Overlapping Wings and Petals
Explore butterfly on a flower through four selected drawing stages. Focus on overlapping wings and petals and a textured crayon finish.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 4 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice butterfly on a flower with attention to overlapping wings and petals.
Shapes and proportions
Separate the butterfly wings from the rose petals by following which edge sits in front.
A common mistake
Too many crossing curves merge the insect and flower.
How to fix it
Draw the main wing edge clearly before adding smaller petal folds.
This butterfly on a flower study focuses on overlapping wings and petals. Separate the butterfly wings from the rose petals by following which edge sits in front. The exercise is about keeping these visible shapes readable before adding small marks or color.
These are four selected stages, not a complete stroke-by-stroke sequence. Blue guide lines mark additions in the source images. Compare the pictures for the overall shape changes; use the complete LittlePaper lesson for the smaller steps between them.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil and crayons matching the example. Leave room around the drawing for proportion checks before making the outlines darker.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 4
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Selected stage 3: early shapes
This picture shows source stage 3 of 10 for butterfly on a flower, not the next single stroke. Separate the butterfly wings from the rose petals by following which edge sits in front. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 6: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 6 of 10 for butterfly on a flower, not the next single stroke. Draw the main wing edge clearly before adding smaller petal folds. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: overlapping wings and petals
Compare the finished butterfly on a flower outline with the earlier selected stages. Too many crossing curves merge the insect and flower. Draw the main wing edge clearly before adding smaller petal folds.
Complete outline: overlapping wings and petals · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: warm orange, pink, green, brown
Use the colored butterfly on a flower example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes warm orange, pink, green, brown. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: warm orange, pink, green, brown · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses warm orange, pink, green, brown. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Draw the main wing edge clearly before adding smaller petal folds.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “How to Draw a Butterfly On a Flower” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
