Moth Illustration Class

• Moths and scientific illustration

Welcome!
Where are you
calling in from?

Why were you interested in this class?

Life Stages of a Moth

1. Egg, Pupa, Moth, Larva
2. Egg, Pupa, Larva, Adult
3. Larva, Egg, Pupa, Moth
4. Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult

A moth's pupal stage is called a cocoon.

1. True
2. False

True!

Despite The Hungry Caterpillar teaching us incorrectly, the pupal form of a moth is called a cocoon. A chrysalis is the pupal form of a butterfly. 

All moths are nocturnal

1. True
2. False

False!

While it's true that most moths are nocturnal, there are a few species that are most active in the day (diurnal) such as the Buck Moth

Most moths will eat your clothes

1. True
2. False

False!

Only two species of the estimated 5000 species of moth in Colorado will put those holes in your clothes, and only in their larval form! These are the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella)

Moths are important to care about because...

1. Moth populations are in decline
2. They are food for bats, birds, & other creatures
3. They pollinate flowers
4. All of the above

Most yucca species can only be pollinated by yucca moths

1. True
2. False

What do you know about scientific illustration?

5 minute break!

Steps to help you draw a moth:

• Draw lightly at first
• Block in proportions and compare shapes and negative spaceconstantly
• Start with a big, general shape
• Add a midline if you are drawing from above, as insects are structurally symmetrical
• Add medium, more specific shapes and basic angles
• Refine your edges and shapes - compare proportions again!
• Add smaller shapes and refine your details

(this is a butterfly)

Practice 1

Block in basic shapes & proportions

Practice 2

Block in basic shapes & proportions

Download the practice sheets for more!

Draw with me!