Art in the Zoo

Symmetrical Butterfly Wings (rubbing with pencil or crayon)

-fold paper in half

-draw with pencil or crayon...head, thorax, and abdomen...half of each to center fold

-draw wings

-draw major details

-close paper and rub lines with the back of a scissors handle

-when you open the paper you will have to trace the light rubbing you just made

-color, add antenna, and legs...if desired.

Color mixing with color families

-fold paper in half and open flat

-add a few drops of tempera paint in colors of your choice right on the fold...warm/cool, primary, complimentary, or your choice

-close paper and gently rub the paint within the folded sheet. You will be able to see through the paper and guide the paint. You will also want to be very careful because the water in the tempera paint will make the paper soft and tear.

-open and let dry.

Drawing from sheets or photos

Try a few easy drawing sheets from the Internet, books, or draw from photos.

See my butterfly drawing pinboard and Illinois butterfly images.

Origami Butterflies

Try the Japanese art of paper folding. You will need a square paper and the directions.

Butterfly Drawing with iPads and ArtStudio

The ArtStudio app allows you to draw objects with a vertical or horizontal line of symmetry.

-open the app

-file new -create

-pinch in the paper to see the full sheet and tools

-choose edit, symmetry, and vertical symmetry for butterflies (or insects!)

-using the pencil tool and a thicker line...draw a head, thorax, abdomen

-using the pencil tool draw wings

-using the pencil tool add details

***It is super important to make sure all the lines connect fully (zoom in close) repeat the saying "when we fill, we don't want to spill"

-using the fill tool, fill the spaces with the colors you want.

-add details and shading...get creative!