How to Draw a Bumblebee
Not all of us are master illustrators, but with a bit of practice and a whole lot of determination, even a novice artist can learn to draw a bumblebee. Many may view the prospect of sketching a fuzzy creature as a challenge, but with the right guidance, you’ll be buzzing with glee in no time!
The first step in any drawing is to gather your supplies. All you’ll need is a pencil, a sheet of paper, and your own imagination. A ruler or other straight edge might come in handy for ensuring your lines are nice and neat. Next, it’s time to sketch! To help you out, we’ve broken down the bee into four components, so you don’t get too drowsy before you’ve even started:
Body
First things first, the insect’s body. This is by far your bumblebee’s largest feature, so you’ll want to pencil it in first. Starting at the center of your page, attempt to draw a circle. Going clockwise, add two oval shapes to make up its rounded body. Then, sketch out a line connecting the two sides of the oval. This creates the bee’s thorax.
Wings
Give your bee wings with just a few swift strokes. Take your pencil and draw a line that branches out from the connection between the two ovals. Place two lines on the outer edges of the ovals and use the ruler to keep them aligned. To give your bee an extra touch, use small curved strokes to make a bumpy texture.
Eyes & Mouth
Time to give your bumblebee a face! Adding eyes and a mouth will bring your insect to life. Draw two small circles for the eyes and use a curved line for the mouth. Give the antennae a touch of life by sketching curved lines in a “V” shape.
Legs
The legs are the last piece of the puzzle. Starting at the thorax, draw four straight lines – one per each side of the oval. This will create the bee’s hind legs. Then, draw four more lines branching from the thorax to make the forelegs. To finish, create a pattern of bumps on the bee’s legs using small curved lines.
Fur
Now’s when the fun really begins. Up until this point, it’s been all about structure; but at last, you can start adding texture! This berry-colored beauty deserves some buzzworthy fur, and adding this layer just takes a few dainty dots. Start by sketching a few spots along the wings, backside and legs. Feel free to experiment with different sizes and shapes. Use curved strokes to bring out the fur on the bee’s head and thorax.
Finishing Touches
Using the tip of your pencil, shade in the appropriate sections on the bee’s body to take your art to the next level. Start by smudging the oval shapes and antennae, moving up to shading in the legs and head regions of the bee. Go in one direction, creating a soft texture, and watch as your bee transforms into a lifelike creature.
Coloring
This is the part where you can really let your creative instincts take flight. Give your bumblebee its signature stripes with markers, paint brushes, or simply a good ol’ pencil. When sketching out the stripes, remember to use bold, thick strokes and try to avoid drips and smudges. After you’ve added the stripes, feel free to give it a few extra brush strokes for a more polished and life-like look.
Adding Details
The last and most important step is to add details. Dust your bee with a few extra bumps, or emphasize its eyes with a few extra doodles. Turn your bee into a masterpiece by adding a beekeeper’s hat and a honey-filled half-full jar. Ultimately, the final step is to bring your bee to life. Now, you’re ready to share your buzzing buddy with the world!
