PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY – PATREON PAINTING TUTORIAL IN WATERCOLOUR
Every single painting and challenge brings something unique to the table, and with it, plenty of new things to learn!
PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY – PATREON PAINTING TUTORIAL IN WATERCOLOUR
Welcome to this month’s PATREON painting lesson, where we continue our exploration of beautiful painting subjects and challenges in watercolour together. The Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly is a striking and vibrant subject, bringing with it a wealth of colour, iridescence, and intricate detail to dive into, refining your techniques and balances into new territory once more.
This study is a Level 3 or Red graded tutorial, which is totally achievable, but a little more advanced challenge, designed to help you stretch your wings and push forward in your skills with watercolour realism. It’s a perfect subject to expand your understanding of both technique and nuance, and I’m really excited to be sharing it with you this month.
This PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY TUTORIAL is a complete, step-by-step painting course guiding you through the full process of creating a realistic butterfly study in watercolour. With an emphasis on developing rich colour with layering building beautifully on your existing knowledge while introducing new technical finesse and depth.
So let’s take a look at what this month’s tutorial includes — and get started!
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Working In Layers: Learn how to create luxurious layers that mimic the many qualities of butterfly wings, using wash, glazing, dry brushing, timing and more, exploring colour, textures and application.
- Building Depth & Contrast: Discover how to develop dynamic tonal range through bold darks and delicate lights, creating three-dimensionality and visual impact.
- Texture & Detail: Explore the fine balance between realism and softness as we render wings and delicate features of our subject.
- Brush Control: Gain confidence working with precision and flow, refining your brushwork for graceful edges and subtle, painterly effects.
- Creative Confidence: This subject invites you to slow down, observe more closely, and trust in the process — a wonderful opportunity to refine your techniques and artistic intuition.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
🦋 Realistic Butterfly Painting: Learn the full process of painting the Pipevine Swallowtail from initial drawing to final details.
🎨 Advanced Watercolour Techniques: Glazing, layering, blending, and dry brush techniques that create lifelike textures and luminous colour.
🖌️ Detail Work & Fine Finishing: Techniques for refining edges, building complexity, and achieving a polished, finished piece.
✨ Artistic Fulfilment: Enjoy a peaceful, inspiring project that nourishes your creativity and strengthens your connection to the natural world, and self, through painting.
WHY JOIN?
This Pipevine Swallowtail tutorial is ideal for artists wanting to challenge themselves, strengthen their understanding of colour layering and light effects, and bring a richly detailed subject to life on the page. Whether you’ve painted with me before or are just joining, this is a fantastic lesson for personal growth and creative fulfilment… and dont be concerned if youre new to it all! If you love it jump right in and start learning. If youre looking for an entry level butterfly subject in a realistic watercolor painting style, well I have that available for you too. Its all a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in a meaningful painting experience, expand your skill set, and create something truly beautiful in your own space and time.
COURSE FEATURES:
✅ Step-by-Step Video Lessons: Complete guidance through every stage of the painting
✅ Technique Building: Focused instruction to refine your watercolour control
✅ Flexible Learning: Paint at your own pace, in your own space
✅ Artistic Inspiration: Deepen your creative connection with nature — and yourself — through painting
Join me as we take on this month’s painting journey together. Let’s explore the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly — live on PATREON from the 8th! 💙
A huge thank you goes to our photographer Mimi Ditchie for the incredible reference image for this lesson 🙏🏻
******************************************************************************************************
Check out these links for more information
Get started on the SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY painting tutorial
See this painting in short time lapse (more on Patreon)
Watch the course introduction clip
Did you know, the SACRED KINGFISHER painting tutorial is just one of a range of bird painting, botanical illustration and natural history studies in my own realistic watercolour painting style on offer? Why not check out what else is available. Theres lots on offer and we’d love to see you there!
******************************************************************************************************