How To Draw A Butterfly Tattoo
Embrace your inner artist and let the creativity flow, because today we’re gonna learn how to draw a butterfly tattoo! From the mystical Monarch to the vibrant Zebra Longwing, no matter what color or design you choose, your tattoo will be a work of art. Whether you plan to get it inked yourself or let a pro do the job, with the right know-how and a few simple steps, your butterfly will soar to life on the page – and maybe even your skin. Let’s get started!
Gather Inspiration
Are you inspired by the natural beauty of a butterfly in flight? Or does a particular pattern of wings speak to your soul? Whatever design you have in mind, it’s a great idea to begin by gathering some inspiration. Take a look at the galleries and websites full of colourful butterfly images to get a better understanding of the creatures’ unique shapes and features. Collect the best ones, then take a deep breath and jump into the next steps.
Choose the Right Design
Got your images in hand? Time to select the perfect design. As you narrow down your choices, take into account the size of the canvas – will your butterfly fit where you’d like it to? This is especially important if you plan to get your design inked – your artist will be able to help you visualise the size, but you’ll want to choose a tattoo that works with the surface area you’ve got.
Sketch the Basics
Armed with your picked image, now it’s time to put pencil to paper. When you’re planning for a tattoo, a butterfly’s wings are key – make sure to draw these large and curved. To start, sketch out the wings, body and antennae – it doesn’t have to be perfect yet. Once you’ve drawn the essential features of your butterfly, it’s time to add the details.
Creating the Details
Create a unique, beautiful canvas for your butterfly tattoo by introducing a variety of small details. Whether you plan to add a texture to the wing or embelish the body, use creative strokes and an even lighter hand to bring color and life to your drawing. Meticulously fill in the areas with fine lines and washes of color – your tattoo almost looks ready to fly away!
Inking it Up
Now that you’ve drawn up your design, you’re ready to start inking. Depending on the medium, you’ll need to pick a line width to properly show off your unique design. If you’re using a pen, stick with a thinner line for the antennae and fattening them up for the wings. If you’re create a digital drawing, consider shaking up the line weight to add dimension to the final composition.
Outlining It Up
Finally, now that you’ve designed the contours and details, it’s time to apply a clean outline. It’s best to use a single color throughout, that can be black or any shade of your choice. A key tip here is not to let your outline stray too far from the center of the wings, body or antennae. Perfecting the outlining of your tattoo design will add balance and texture to the canvas.
Finishing Touches
Last but not least, you can make your butterfly tattoo complete with a few finishing touches. Consider adding patterns to the wings – like spots or other shapes – or adjust the shades and highlights of the body and antennae. Add more vivid colors near the middle of the wings and body, and shade the external edges to give your butterfly a striking appearance.
Now that you’ve completed the drawing, you can stand back and admire your work of art! If you plan to bring this design to life on your skin, you can take your sketch to a tattoo artist and get it inked to perfection. Whether you draw it or have it done, your butterfly tattoo design is sure to bring beauty to any canvas. Let your creativity soar!
