Interesting Insects

^{European Butterflies and Moths}^{, 19th C. Collection 595.78 KIR, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

Get inspired by the illustrations in our Special Collections, and have a go at drawing your own insect!

You will need:

Some plain paper or a sketch pad
A pencil (HB, B or 2B)
A photograph of an insect (you could take one yourself or find one online!)
An eraser
Some coloured pencils
A black fine liner pen (optional)

Instructions:

Study the photograph of your insect carefully.
Use your pencil to lightly sketch the outline of your chosen insect onto your paper.
You might find it easier to draw it in 3 parts (head, thorax, abdomen).
Use coloured pencils to colour your insect in.
Use a pencil or a black fine liner to add details (e.g. spots on wings or other markings).
Admire your work of art!

This activity was inspired by the illustrations of insects held in our Special Collections.

If you would like to see more of these illustrations, click on the image below.

*_{European Butterflies and Moths}*_{, 19th C. Collection 595.78 KIR, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

*_{European Butterflies and Moths}*_{, 19th C. Collection 595.78 KIR, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

_{European Butterflies and Moths,}_{19th C. Colection. 595.78 KIR, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

_{British Entomology; being illustrations and descriptions of the genera of insects found in Great Britain and Ireland}_{, Entomology Collection 595.70942 CUR, Entomology Collection, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

^{Popular British Entomology; containing a Familiar and Technical Description of the Insects most Common to the Localities of the British Isles}^{, Entomology Collection 595.70942 CAT, Entomology Collection, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}

_{A Manual of Entomology,}_{19th C. Collection 595.7 BUR, Newcastle University Special Collections, GB186.}