How to Paint an Abstract Metallic Butterfly

Create bold textures with black lines and shimmering metallics. Explore light and form through playful layering.

Step 1

Lightly fold a sheet of A3 W&N Acrylic Pad paper in half. On the right-hand side draw half a butterfly using a squeezy bottle or direct from the tube using Mars Black.

Step 2

Fold the left-hand side of the paper over the right-hand side and press and smooth from the middle out. Open the sheet again.

Step 3

Squeeze from the tube onto the right-hand side of the paper, two large dots of Metallic Gold, one dot of Silver, and one dot of Copper. Don’t fold yet.

Step 4

For the butterfly body, squeeze iridescent medium onto the right-hand side of the paper along the length of the body.

Step 5

Fold the left-hand side of the paper over the right-hand side and press and smooth from the middle out. Open the sheet again.

Step 6

Using a thin rigger brush nº 1, draw the butterfly antenna with Mars Black, starting from the top with a slightly thicker mark and tapering down to the body.