How to Draw a Mayfly

Step 1: The head

On the left, a little below the middle, draw an egg lying on its side for the head.

Tip A mayfly is mostly one long thin body. Leave the right side free.

Step 2: Two big eyes

Near the sides of the head draw 2 big egg eyes with a gap between. Add black dots.

Step 3: Smile and cheeks

Under the eyes draw a flat line with a U hanging under it. Add an oval cheek past each end.

Step 4: A little chest

Start on the right side of the head. Draw a small round ball peeking out and stop on the head.

Step 5: A curved-up body

Start on the right of the chest. Draw a long tube curving UP like a banana, back to the chest.

Tip A mayfly holds its thin body curved up at the end.

Step 6: Body rings

Across the curved body draw 6 short lines, evenly spaced from the chest to the tip.

Step 7: Upright sail wings

Start on the chest. Draw a tall sail wing straight UP, stop on the chest. Add a shorter one behind.

Tip A mayfly holds its wings straight up, like a little sailing boat.

Step 8: 3 tail threads

Start on the tip of the body. Draw 3 long thin threads fanning up and back, stopping at different heights.

Step 9: A twig

Under the mayfly draw a long twig, 2 gently wavy lines side by side, joined with round ends.

Step 10: 3 legs

From under the chest draw 3 thin bent legs down to the twig, each ending in a small ball foot.

Tip Each leg bends at a knee and gets thinner toward the foot.

Step 11: Pink cheeks, tan body

Colour the cheeks pink. Colour the head, chest and body tan around them, leaving the eyes and mouth white.

Step 12: Sky wings, red mouth

Colour the 2 upright wings light sky blue and the open mouth red.

Step 13: Brown twig, grey legs

Colour the twig brown and the 3 legs and their ball feet dark grey.