Make a Painted Paper Butterfly
This article will teach you how to make a painted butterfly, also indicating the basic steps used and painting techniques. You will also be shown materials to use in order to make a successful butterfly. Finally this guide will cover the clean up steps. After following these instructions, you will have a complete butterfly and be ready to display it for everyone.
Steps
- Assemble the supplies needed. These are listed below.
- Select or cut to size a piece of paper 11 inches by 14 inches (28cm x 35.5cm). Fold it in half (the short way).
- Put the paint into separate palette squares.
- Open out the paper. Use the black paint to put three big black dots in the center of the page. Don't paint near the edges.
- Close the paper so that it sits back in half. Use your hand to slide spread the paint done the crease. In this case, you will be making a body for the butterfly.
- Open the page back up and you will see a body of a butterfly has formed from the three black dots. Now use the paintbrush to make the wings. To make the wings, draw a number 3 shape from about 2 cm/1 inch from the top of the butterfly to the same point at the bottom of the butterfly.
- Close the paper, then open it back up. You will have a fully completed outlined butterfly.
- Use the black paint to touch up the butterfly on both sides so that it looks complete and even. Cover up any white spots or awkward angles.
- Take some color paint and give the butterfly some spots in the wing area. The colors are up to you. One suggestion is to use black, orange and pink as a color scheme. Or use neon colors, or the colors of spring. Only paint the spots on one side.
- Fold the paper back in half. Push lightly on the dots you've just painted and open the paper back up. Let the paint dry.
- Cut out the butterfly shape.
- After cutting out the butterfly, attach two pipe cleaners for antennas. Roll up the ends to look like real antennae.
- Add a string to the top. Punch a hole through the top of the butterfly's body and thread ribbon or string through it. Hang the end design up for display.
- Don't mess up. If you did, you done goofed, and the consequences will NEVER be the same.
Tips
- This is a great craft for children. Be sure to encourage them to clean up when they've finished making the butterfly.
Warnings
- Put down newspaper to stop paint dripping onto any work surfaces.
- Wear old clothes or an apron to prevent paint going onto clothing.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Colored paint and palette
- Paper or light cardboard
- Paintbrushes
- Pipe cleaners
- Glue
- Hole puncher
- Ribbon, raffia, twine, etc. for hanging
