Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Dee
Embark on a creative journey with our collection of 30 Butterfly Templates for Watercolor Painting, perfect for artists and crafters of all skill levels. These free printable PDF templates provide a beautiful and versatile foundation for your watercolor masterpieces. Get the free printable templates at the end of this post!
30 Butterfly Watercolor Templates
Whether you’re looking to practice your painting techniques or searching for a fun and relaxing art project, these butterfly outlines cater to a wide array of styles and preferences. At the end of this blog post, you can easily grab these free printable templates and start transforming blank pages into vibrant expressions of color and life. So gather your watercolors, and let your imagination take flight with each brushstroke!
How to Use Your Watercolor Butterfly Templates
To make the most of your “30 Butterfly Templates for Watercolor Painting,” follow these simple instructions to transfer your chosen designs onto watercolor paper:
Printing the Butterfly Templates:
- Download the PDF collection of butterfly templates provided at the end of the blog post.
- Open the PDF and select the ‘Print’ option. Before printing, ensure you adjust the size settings to your preference. You can scale the image to fit the page or select a specific size based on your project needs.
- Print the templates out on standard paper for tracing or directly onto watercolor paper if your printer accommodates thicker paper.
Tracing the Templates:
- Place your watercolor paper over the printed template. You might need to secure both papers with tape to prevent slipping.
- Use a window or a lightbox for easier tracing. The backlit surface will help you see the lines clearly through the watercolor paper.
- Trace the outline of the butterfly template onto your watercolor paper using a pencil. Apply gentle pressure to avoid heavy marks that might be hard to erase after painting.
Using Transfer Paper:
- Place a sheet of transfer paper (carbon paper) between the printed template and your watercolor paper. Make sure the transfer side is facing down towards the watercolor paper.
- Secure the layers with tape to keep them from moving.
- Trace over the butterfly template with a stylus or a ballpoint pen. The pressure will transfer the design onto the watercolor paper.
Pencil Rubbing Transfer Method:
- Take a regular pencil (preferably a soft lead pencil like a 2B) and shade over the back of the printed template. Cover all the lines of the butterfly design with a thick layer of pencil graphite.
- Position the template, graphite side down, onto your watercolor paper.
- Tape down the corners to keep the template in place.
- Trace over the butterfly design with a pencil or pen, pressing firmly to transfer the graphite onto the watercolor paper.
Once you’ve successfully transferred the butterfly outline onto your watercolor paper, you’re ready to begin painting. Remember to let your creativity soar as you bring these intricate designs to life with your watercolor palette. Enjoy the process of mixing colors, experimenting with techniques, and watching your butterflies emerge in a flurry of color.
Essential Watercolor Painting Supplies List
This is our go-to list of recommended watercolor painting supplies that we use for all our watercolor art, junk journaling and art journaling!
- Watercolors: Windsor & Newton is a reputable brand that offers high-quality watercolor paints. You can choose from their range of professional-grade watercolor tubes or pans, depending on your preference.
- Watercolor Paper: Look for cold-pressed, 140lb (300gsm) watercolor paper for the best results. This type of paper is durable and has a nice texture that’s ideal for watercolor painting.
- Brushes: A selection of round and flat brushes in various sizes will give you the versatility you need for different strokes and details. Sable or synthetic brushes designed for watercolor will give you the best performance.
- Palette: A mixing palette with wells for both mixing and holding your paints is essential. It can be a simple plastic one or a porcelain palette for a more luxurious feel.
- Water Container: Any clean jar or container will do, but having two for clean and dirty water can help keep your colors pure.
- Masking Fluid: This is used to cover areas of your painting that you want to keep white. Make sure to apply it with an old brush or a dedicated masking fluid brush, as it can ruin fine bristles.
- Pencils: A soft pencil, like a 2B, is great for sketching your design before painting.
- Eraser: A kneaded eraser is gentle on watercolor paper and can lift pencil lines without damaging the surface.
- Paper Towels or a Rag: These are useful for blotting your brush to control the amount of water and paint.
- Board: If you’re using watercolor paper from a pad or sheets, you might want to tape your paper down to a board to prevent warping.
Grab the Free Butterfly Watercolor Templates HERE (below)!
To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or log in with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page, and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!
Make sure to get these free Watercolor templates too!
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I love all the help you have been for me. Thankyou for sharing this with us.
It’s my pleasure and I am so pleased it has helped!