And the butterflies fly away...

Highlights from an impossible drawing challenge 🦋

Earlier this month I shared some butterfly-drawing basics and challenged you to draw an ugly butterfly.

Your unique, lively creatures fluttered around the Internet throughout July, proving it is indeed impossible to draw an ugly butterfly.

We’ll have a new one-off challenge in August which I’ll announce in the next few days, but first, here are ten butterflies that caught my eye from July.

Before we dive in, I need to let you know that today is the last day to start a free trial.

1. Jaimie Dent-Campbell

Art by JaimieDentCampbell

I loved these so much that I reached out to Jaimie Dent-Campbell to ask about these beauties. Here’s how Jaime made this magic happen:

I prepped the page with random watercolor and then used the negative space prompt and used liquid charcoal.

2. Réka Berty

Réka Berty / @rokarege

I love the layering here and how Réka photographed the butterfly in nature.

3. Shannon Streiff

@shannon_streiff

Who knew homemade black walnut ink could make such exquisite textures for butterfly wings? Shannon Streiff did. I love this one and all the other stunning collaged butterflies by Shannon. Take a look!

4. R. Emilia

rebecka.emilia.art

The colors, lettering, and sparkles are so charming, aren’t they?

5. Vivian van den Bosch

@vvdbosch_illustraties

Along with these delightfully vibrant butterflies, Vivian shared some inspiring words:

“The last time I deliberately drew butterflies, I made them soft. Delicate, the way I feel about butterflies. 🦋 With this challenge, that goes completely out of the window.” Read more here.

6. Stephanie Shia

@eccentricstephanie

The warmth in the wings drew me in, then the details kept my eyes glued to this gorgeous, glowing butterfly.

7. Katrin Miller

@katrinmeiller

This is the butterfly you call when you need a boost of good vibes and cheer.

8. Amy Mullen

@mintparcel

The colors, energy, and painterly textures stole my heart!

9. Rebecca J Mills

rebecca.j.mills

I really love the patterns and textures here. They look so pretty as a set!

10. Annette

annie.watercolors

Last but not least, this gorgeous pink and gold butterfly by Annette.

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Thanks for being reading and being here! 🦋 I’ll be back tomorrow to announce our theme and some other fun goodies.