An Electric Flash of Blue: Drawing the Magic of the Blue Morpho
I still remember the very first time I saw a Blue Morpho butterfly in the Costa Rican rainforest. One moment the forest was deep green and shadowed—then zap!—an electric flash of blue zipped past me like living lightning. I instinctively grabbed my camera and tried to follow it, hoping for the perfect reference photo.
It was impossible.
At the time, I didn’t yet understand much about Morphos—but I knew one thing for certain: someday, I had to draw and paint them. I’ve always been drawn to iridescence, bold color, and those magical moments in nature that feel almost unreal. The Blue Morpho embodied all of that… and more.
From Frustration to Breakthrough
Like many artists, I quickly discovered that photographing butterflies—especially Morphos—can be incredibly challenging. Their flight is fast and unpredictable, and my early camera skills just weren’t up to the task. That’s when I made a game-changing decision: I began working from real specimens. My go to company is BicBugs.com
Using specimens allowed me to study the structure, color, and surface quality up close. But there was another challenge waiting for me.
Pinned specimens, while beautifully preserved, are not posed naturally. Their wings are spread flat to reveal structure—much like a human standing permanently with arms stretched out in a “T” position. Informative? Yes. Natural? Not at all.
The Power of Anatomy
Everything changed when I began studying butterfly anatomy in depth. Understanding how wings attach to the body—and how they actually move—gave me the freedom to manipulate my drawings into believable, lifelike poses… even butterflies in flight. That knowledge alone transformed my work.
Then came the biggest puzzle of all: iridescence.
Cracking the Code of Iridescence
At first, metallic paints seemed like the obvious solution. They shimmered—but only at certain angles. The illusion fell apart the moment you shifted your view. I wanted something better. Something convincing from every angle. Through experimentation and a deeper understanding of how light interacts with butterfly wings, I discovered a method that truly works. The result? A Blue Morpho that looks luminous, vibrant, and real—no matter how you look at it.
And now, I want to share those secrets with you.
Join Me: Draw the Beauty of Nature – The Blue Morpho
In this special workshop, we’ll explore what makes the Blue Morpho so extraordinary—and how to capture its beauty on paper.
In this class, you’ll learn:
- Blue Morpho morphology, anatomy, and natural history
- How to draw butterflies in natural, dynamic poses
- My proven techniques for creating believable iridescence
- Step-by-step watercolor and colored pencil demonstrations
- How to bring scientific accuracy and artistic expression together
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 Time: 1:30-4:30 pm (ET)
Live on ZOOM workshop with demonstrations Cost: $99
If you’ve ever been mesmerized by butterflies—or struggled to capture color, light, and movement in your work—this class is for you.
Ready to Capture the Magic of the Blue Morpho?
Join me for Draw the Beauty of Nature: The Blue Morpho and learn the exact techniques I use to bring this breathtaking butterfly to life with confidence, accuracy, and luminous color.
✨ Can’t attend live or want to rewatch later?
No worries—the Zoom workshop is fully recorded, and all registered students will receive access to the replay after the class is over.
🖌️ You’ll also receive:
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A complete supply list (available on the website in advance)
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Downloadable handouts
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High-quality photo references
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Specimen recommendations for those who wish to work from physical references
Whether you’re joining live or watching later, you’ll have everything you need to succeed—and to revisit the material at your own pace.