How to draw a monarch butterfly

I love drawing nature. There are so many beautiful things to choose from, and it can be so relaxing. But I think it can sometimes be overwhelming too - picking a subject that isn't too difficult, making sure the colors look right, deciding which medium it would look best in...goodness, it's enough to discourage anyone from picking up that pencil! So I thought I'd show you how to draw something nice and simple today. Let's get started!

You will need:

• Cardstock, Bristol board, or other drawing paper
• Pencil - Your typical #2 wooden writing pencil will work just fine for this, but if you happen to have graphite pencil sets around, this would be a great time to try them out!
• Regular and kneaded erasers

1. Very lightly mark your paper with 1” grid squares and number each one so you will be able to keep track of your work. 

2. Sketch the outline and some of the markings of the butterfly, drawing what you see in each square. When you are satisfied with your sketch, carefully erase all the grid lines.

3. Begin to color the darkest parts of the butterfly, placing a sheet of white paper under your hand to avoid smearing the graphite. Don't be afraid to color your paper darkly, as this is what creates contrast and makes your butterfly come alive. (If you have a graphite pencil set, try some of the different shades!)

4. For the white markings on the wings, either color around them or “draw” them with your kneaded eraser.

5. Continue adding details to the butterfly. Lightly shade crosshatch markings on the leaf, and blend them smooth with your fingertip or a tortillon. Notice how there's a darker shadow underneath the butterfly. Use your kneaded eraser to “draw” the veins in the leaf.

6. Keep adding details until you're happy with how it looks. Don't forget to sign and date your drawing!

What else would you like to learn how to draw better? Comment below!