Transparent Butterfly Watercolor Art: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

How do you bring a delicate, transparent butterfly to life with watercolor? I love sharing simple steps that help capture that soft, glowing effect.

In this guide, I walk you through each stage—from sketching the wings to adding tiny details that make the painting shine. Whether you're a beginner or want to try a fresh approach, I promise this process feels easy and fun.

Let's dive in and create something beautiful together!

Step 1: Prepare Your Drawing and Painting Surface

Before painting, I like to think about how the butterfly will look. Since I'm going for a transparent watercolor effect, I draw the butterfly with either closed or half-closed wings. This shape helps show transparency better.

I only draw half of the butterfly for the front wings. Then, I add the second pair of wings behind, slightly tilted. 

I transfer the sketch onto hot press watercolor paper—300 grams. It's perfect for this kind of work.

For colors, I stick to shades of blue. I prepare watery mixes of cerulean blue and ultramarine blue.

Step 2: Apply the First Glazing Layer

It's time to bring the butterfly to life with the first glaze. Even though the drawing may seem detailed, it becomes easier after this step.

I use a very diluted mix of cerulean blue and glaze over the entire butterfly shape—both the front and the slightly hidden back wings. I carefully cover the full background area.

Here's what I focus on:

• Distribute the water evenly
• Avoid puddles
• If puddles appear, I dab them gently with a paper towel
• Move the brush along the direction of the wing shapes—follow those long lines

Step 3: Add Soft Shadows and Color Accents

Now that the first glazing layer is done, I add soft shadows and hints of color. This step brings the butterfly more depth and interest.

Add Ultramarine Blue Around the Body

As the paper absorbs water, I drop a small amount of my ultramarine blue mix around the butterfly's body. I also place a few touches near the wing tips.

These areas will sit in shadow, so I don't worry about too many details here.

I always dry my brush on a paper towel to keep things under control. When I need to lift water, I use my brush like a sponge. It works well.

Outline with Bold Cerulean Blue

Now, I switch to a smaller brush and grab my bold cerulean mix straight from the tube. While the paper is still damp, I gently outline the wings using the tip of my brush. I work my way around the wing shapes.

If I see blooms forming, I don't stress. In just a bit, I'll smooth them out.

Soften the Edges and Add Wing Shapes

After finishing the outline, I clean and dry my brush. Then, I gently soften the edges with just the brush tip. If any blooms remain, I blend them out.

Sometimes, I leave the watercolor textures as they are and let the flow shine through. But here, I add a bit more detail. While the paper is still wet, I drop in some soft shadows.

These give the impression of delicate wing folds, which are so light and subtle.

Step 4: Create Soft Wing Textures

Now, I want to suggest the shape of wings without making them too bold. While the paper is still wet, I use the tip of my brush to paint the visible wing parts.

Since the surface is damp, the paint spreads softly. This creates a delicate, dreamy texture. 

I hint at the two wings but avoid adding too much detail. That way, my painting stays light and clean, not overloaded. Once I'm done, I let the first layer dry completely.

Step 5: Paint the Lower Front Wing

It's time to paint the front wings, starting with the lower one. I begin with this petal because it sits underneath the upper wing, and I want more time to work on the details.

I glaze the whole petal area with clean water, carefully covering only the visible and hidden parts of the petal. I make sure the water is spread evenly and avoid puddles.

Then, I give it a moment—about 30 seconds to a minute—so the water can soak into the paper fibers. After that, I apply a very diluted mix of cerulean blue over it.

I totally understand if you're finding hot-press paper a bit tricky. I also have a video full of tips and tricks for painting on hot press paper without stress. I recommend checking it out.

Step 6: Define Shapes and Add Edges

Now that I've painted the wing base, I'm ready to define the shapes more clearly and build beautiful color transitions. This step helps everything come to life.

Add a Bold Mix Around the Body

I add a bolder mix of colors—cerulean and ultramarine—around the butterfly's body. With the tip of my brush, I carefully distribute the darker mix into the wing area.

This makes the center stronger without blending all the wings.

I remind myself not to overmix the wings. Thankfully, a butterfly only has four wings, so it's easier to manage.

Blend and Soften With a Graded Wash

Next, I add a hint of ultramarine blue to the tips of the wings. I blend this into the cerulean to create a graded wash, mixing the colors directly on the paper using my brush tip.

If puddles form, I use a paper towel to dry my brush, then soak the excess water like a sponge.

Outline and Adjust Wing Edges

I grab a bolder, drier mix and begin outlining with cerulean close to the body, then switch to ultramarine at the tips. I leave dots and drops where future wings will appear.

If you find mixing colors tricky, don't worry—you can always try painting your butterfly in just one favorite color, like pink or violet.

To finish this stage, I dry my brush, run it along the edges, soften lines, and fix any mistakes in shape. This is a great moment to refine your butterfly and get it ready for the next step.

Step 7: Paint Veins with Pulled Color

Now that my edges are softened and the wings have form, I start working on the delicate veins.

With a clean brush, I use the tip to drag out a bit of blue from the bolder parts. I'm not adding fresh paint here—I'm simply borrowing the pigment already on the paper.

This lets me create soft transitions that suggest future wing shapes.

If I feel there's not enough color, I can also grab a little dry mix from my palette. Since the paper is still wet, everything distributes softly and beautifully.

That's the look I'm going for—gentle, graded washes and subtle lines.

I also use the tip of my brush to correct or soften any areas I need. For example, I add more shading to the tips of the wing to build contrast.

Once I'm happy with the result, I let everything dry completely before moving on to the next part.

Step 8: Paint the Upper Front Wing

Now that the lower wing is shaping up nicely, it's time to focus on the upper front wing. This step adds depth and detail that brings the butterfly to life.

Prepare the Paper and Base Glaze

Like before, I start by glazing the upper front petal with clean water. This prepares the paper and helps the paint flow smoothly.

Then, I apply a very diluted mix of cerulean blue, gently distributing it with the tip of my brush. I avoid pressing too hard, especially on areas I have already painted, to keep the surface smooth and even.

Add Color and Shape

Next, I add a soft touch of ultramarine blue around the tips of the wings. I soften the edges using the brush tip, aiming for smooth transitions.

In this technique, it's easier to add more color later than to try to lighten it once it's dark.

I also add more color near the body because, like flower petals, the wings get thicker and heavier, close to where they attach.

I add extra weight here with more ultramarine, keeping it a bit drier for texture.

Outline and Blend Colors

Now, I start outlining. I begin with cerulean blue around the body, covering about one-third of the wing.

I avoid stopping abruptly near intersections with other colors to keep the painting interesting.

Then, I add ultramarine blue, overlapping the cerulean slightly. I also add extra spots where the veins will go.

Since the paper is still wet, I can play with different effects and tricks to enhance texture and depth.

Step 9: Add More Wing Details

Now, I connect the areas and clean my brush. After drying it on a paper towel, I gently use about one-third of the brush tip to soften the edges where needed.

Then, I drag a slight blue color into the veins in the opposite direction. If the paper is dry, that's okay—I add veins or placeholders with color anyway.

When lines get too sharp or bold, I soften them by washing and drying my brush, then going over the edges again.

Using a fine synthetic brush, I carefully paint the thin lines. I press a bit more as I move closer to the body, where the wing is thicker.

No worries if I miss any details—we'll add more after the layer dries.

Step 10: Refine Wing Shape and Balance

I work on this part using ultramarine blue and cerulean—more ultramarine on the tips and cerulean near the body. I like to paint wings in smaller parts to keep control.

Trying to do it all simultaneously risks mistakes if my hand moves wrong.

I ensure my hand rests comfortably on the desk and sometimes change direction to see better. Use your reference to guide you, but don't stress about every detail.

The goal is to capture the idea of wing shapes, keeping them similar to the original and looking lovely.

Step 11: Final Adjustments and Body Painting

Now, I add a bit more thickness next to the body to make the wings look heavier and to separate the wing borders from the veins.

I focus on the top petal—or should I say, petal of the wing? This little detail helps the wings stand out.

After that, you can add more ornaments if you like, but I'm happy with how it looks now. It's time to paint the body.

I choose burnt sienna from my palette and mix in a bit of Berlin green for the body. I keep it simple—just some fine lines for antennas.

This is a bit imaginative because we're not doing a botanical illustration.

My goal is to capture the idea of a unique, transparent butterfly, like seeing one in bright sunlight. It's delicate, intricate, and beautiful.

Step 12: Add Optional Elements

Now, I like to add some simple grass around the butterfly. I rarely wash my palette, so I always have leftover colors nearby. This saves time and keeps my workflow smooth.

I use the tip of my brush for the grass to create a soft wash with different shades. Adding a warm tone here makes a nice contrast with the cool colors of the butterfly.

Add details to the butterfly! These details are tiny—just a few lines. You could also paint a flower for the butterfly to sit on or leave it flying freely.

That's it—our butterfly is ready! Let's admire the final look before we wrap up.

Final Thoughts

Painting a transparent butterfly with watercolor is all about patience and gentle layers. Focusing on soft shapes, subtle shadows, and small details can create a delicate, glowing effect that feels alive.

Remember, it's not about perfection but capturing the idea and beauty of your subject. Keep practicing, and enjoy the magic of each brushstroke!