There’s something truly special about a watercolor butterfly painting. It draws you in as both an artist or the appreciative onlooker.

Perhaps because the same is true in nature. If you let yourself, it’s a bit hard to ignore one of these beautiful flying insects when one crosses your path.

Their intrigue grabs our gaze whether they’re fluttering about across a slight breeze or if they’re landing on a plant, limb or flower every so slowly clapping their fragile wings.

As a real-world subject, butterflies can be a color overload in the springtime if you’re not careful.

The watercolor medium lets you distill things down a bit if you want. Or, you can capture the intensity of mother nature’s vibrant color pallet right on your paper.

Below are a variety of designs you can use to spark your creativity or give you an idea of what’s possible should you want to paint these subjects or simply find a print for your own home decor.

Enjoy!

A soft, indiscernible background with a subtle but eye-grabbing blue and golden-brown touch to this rounded winged butterfly.

There’s something interesting about this almost ice cold and winter-feeling palette that makes you wonder if this butterfly missed the call to migration.

A semi-whimsical flavor with a dark blue butterfly blending with similar surrounding colors.

A fun design where a more thick watercolor paint can almost mimic other types of painting techniques.

Fluttering just above one of nature’s masterpieces, cherry blossoms sweep under this magnificent winged creature.

This would look good in any home decor style, wouldn’t it?

Blending into it’s environment (but in a way not blending), this example mixes two different patterns to create the perfect kind of chaos before your eyes.

It’s reminiscent of a musical playlist that has order but is upbeat and labeled as “focus work” music.

Invite a childlike minimalist style, and you end up with this three-color beauty that captivates and beckons you to smile and just plain feel…good.

Deep pastels grab this butterfly with a protruding stem for it to land on so it can take a momentary pause in its busy day.

When you look at this guy (or gal), you can’t help but join in and let your glance linger as you take your own break.

Two glowing orange butterflies are painting against deep and vibrant contrasting greens.

As these beautiful insects pollinate, so do they pollinate your mind with happiness.

A more traditional watercolor butterfly seems to rest on the thin, spreading layers of colored water.

A lovely gentle approach to this subject, showing an almost blurred effect on part of the wings.

Multiple eyes on this full wing-spread butterfly look back at you as you both share in each other’s natural wonder.

This is actually an amazing group of colors, coordinated brilliantly.

What do these deep, blue hues remind you of? This butterfly shows off power and intrigue as it takes flight across perhaps a backyard patio perhaps filled with potted plants.

Lavender grows high in late spring as a matching butterfly soars confidently above.

Together these two subjects create a picturesque scene that any watercolor artist would be proud to paint.

How many faces to you see on these tomato red wings?

This one is definitely an eye-grabber (literally), whether in nature or as framed artwork brightening up your home.

I want to step into this image or print, breath in the refreshing air, touch the cool green stems and just hang out with this pretty thing.

Breaking all of the color mixing rules, this approach falls right in that unique bucket.

Using the full canvas, it’s both bold and tantalizing.

Perfect for farmhouse decor, this washed out painting reminds you of days gone by.

The Monarch butterfly is always spectacular no matter the style.

Using colors you might find in a Japanese painting, these watercolors give this simple scene life: A young butterfly doing its work on the extended branch filled with sweet tasting blossoms.

I could stare at this for a long time and just think…

Sometimes you just use your favorite colors and create a piece of art that shines out to the world and just represents who YOU are.

Fading pinks and a soft, yellow winged butterfly try not to steal the show but capture a calming beauty nonetheless.

It’s probably one of the very few times that you don’t mind your view of a pretty flower close-up being blocked.

This butterfly reaches for the sky with tiny hands imprinted on its wings that seem to also be reaching.

And see, you don’t always need flower petals, trees or plants in the scene!

Donning silky black, this watercolor butterfly dives deep into a cloud of redness, which feels warm and inviting despite its intensity.

You could almost isolate the dark subject and use it to create a butterfly tattoo that would never be missed (IF that’s your thing).

Two pals discuss the day’s topics as they share a drink of nectar in these small golden-yellow flowers.

An almost blue-green Monarch butterfly is painted in perfect action as it lands for a drink on pretty white flowers.

I hope you found some inspiration with these watercolor butterfly images. As with any art, color choices truly have no limits and provide no boundaries in how you can use them.

Watercolor is just that – the combination of any and all colors in a medium that lets you mix and blend to your heart’s content.

Butterflies are an amazing subject because they, themselves, seemingly have no end to the kinds and numbers of colors and patterns they present to us if we’re lucky enough to see one fluttering about outdoors.

It’s no wonder we want to both paint them and adorn our homes with their undeniable enchantment.