We spent some time looking at close-up photographs of butterflies before starting our drawings, noticing the size, angle and structure of the wings. The children began, as they often do, by experimenting on a whiteboard:

We discussed the need to make the shapes and patterns symmetrical. 

The children went on to draw their butterflies using white oil pastel on a black background:

The final step was to start adding colour:

Here is some of the beautiful finished artwork: