Butterfly Art Using Positive and Negative Space, and Symmetry

As part of our National Craft Month celebrations, we're going to make another fun and simple craft.

Learn how to use positive and negative space, and symmetry, to create beautiful butterfly art!

These design concepts are important learning topics for kids and are fantastic ways to enhance certain feelings in any artwork.

Celebrate the National Craft Month at the Creativity School!

Let’s celebrate and enjoy crafting with your kids this National Craft Month!

Our award-winning artists give away free LIVE art classes from the Creativity School.

Create beautiful crafts like collages, animations, pop up cards, and much more

What is Positive and Negative Space in Art?

Positive space is where the drawing is actually positioned, while negative space is the area around it.

Artists use these concepts to enhance certain types of feelings in their work.

What is symmetry?

Symmetry is when the image on the left is equal to the image on the right.

This butterfly art is a fun way to learn and practice this concept!

Ready. Set. Craft!

Materials:

2 pieces of construction papers of contrasting colors
Pair of scissors
Glue
1 pencil
1Eraser
X-acto knife (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1. Fold one of the construction papers in half, then cut along the crease.

Step 2. On one of the cut sides, draw the head with the antenna and the body.

Step 3. Draw the wings and add details.

Add inside shapes to the wings for beautiful imagery.

Step 4. Carefully cut the butterfly and the inside shapes (as indicated on the outline).

To cut the inside shapes, bend the butterfly wing slightly, then take a snip with the scissors’ tip.

You can also use an X-acto knife for easier cutting.

Important Note: Do not throw all the background cutouts! We will use them to make the symmetry!

Step 5. On another piece of construction paper, arrange the background cutouts and shape them into a butterfly.

Step 6. Arrange the butterfly cutouts on the other side to make the symmetry. Glue them altogether.

Wow! You’ve made a magnificent symmetrical butterfly!

Here are some colorful butterflies by our young artists at Creativity School.

Tips for art-mazing success

This activity requires the use of scissors or X-acto knife, so ALWAYS TAKE EXTRA CARE in using them, or seek the supervision of an adult. ✂️❗
Use your imagination to create more beautiful patterns for the wings!
You can also explore other contrasting colors for your butterfly.
Create other designs you like using the artwork concepts we’ve learned today. Here are other designs from our young artists!

Did you have fun creating pretty butterflies with positive, negative space, and symmetry? Share your experience in the comment section below.

Click here for more fun and creative art activities this National Craft Month!!

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