Fly Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas

Want to draw a fly that actually looks right? Start with a circle for the head and an oval for the body and build from there. This page covers the full process — nine steps from first line to finished drawing — followed by fly drawing ideas in every style: easy, cute, realistic, and a few you probably haven't tried.

  • Difficulty Easy
  • Time ~15 min
  • Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
  • Starts with a circle for the head and an oval for the body
Fly drawing — hand-drawn fly illustration with ink lines and soft colors
Fly drawing — hand-drawn fly illustration with ink lines and soft colors

How to Draw a Fly Step by Step

How to draw a fly step by step — 9-step fly drawing tutorial sheet

Step 1 of 9

Head and body

Draw a light circle in the upper middle of the page for the head, then an oval below it for the body, overlapping slightly.

See the full sheet
How to draw a fly step by step — 9-step fly drawing tutorial sheet
How to draw a fly step by step — 9-step fly drawing tutorial sheet

  1. Head and body

    Draw a light circle in the upper middle of the page for the head, then an oval below it for the body, overlapping slightly.

  2. Head outline

    Trace the head outline on the circle, flattening slightly where it meets the body.

  3. Compound eyes

    Fill most of the head with two large round eyes touching each other in the middle.

  4. Body outline

    Trace the body outline on the oval, adding a segmented waistline to divide the thorax from the abdomen.

  5. Spread wings

    Draw two large teardrop wings spreading outward from the thorax to either side.

  6. Front legs

    Add a bent pair of thin front legs reaching forward and outward from the thorax.

  7. Back legs

    Add the remaining two pairs of thin bent legs reaching outward and backward from the body.

  8. Ink the lines

    Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the light head and body guides.

  9. Color the fly

    Fill the body dark gray with a slight green sheen, the eyes deep red, and the wings pale translucent gray.

Fly Drawing Ideas to Try Next

Once the basic fly clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.

  • A cartoon fly with a tiny accessory

    Round everything, shrink the body, add one hat/bow/scarf. Accessories add personality for nearly zero extra difficulty.

  • Continuous one-line fly

    Draw the whole fly without lifting your pen. Great warm-up, and the wobbles are the style.

  • A fly in its natural habitat

    Add two or three environment elements behind your fly — the scene sells the story without needing a full background.

  • A sleeping fly curled up

    Sleeping poses tuck away the legs and face details — draw one restful curve and let the pose forgive the anatomy.

  • A geometric low-poly fly

    Build the fly from straight-edged triangles only — a modern design look that secretly teaches structure.

  • A fly peeking around a corner

    Half the animal hides behind an edge — you draw the easy half and the composition feels playful.

  • A baby fly next to its parent

    Same drawing twice at two sizes with bigger eyes on the little one — instant "aww" with skills you already have.

  • Fly face close-up portrait

    Crop to just the face and make the eyes the star. Big expressive eyes carry the whole piece.

Tips for Better Fly Drawings

  • Compare proportions to something you know: how many heads long is the body? Where do the legs attach? Two measurements taken early save twenty corrections later.
  • Eyes make or break animal drawings: place them carefully, keep them symmetrical, and always leave a white highlight dot. A perfect body with dead eyes still fails; a wobbly body with living eyes still charms.

Not feeling the fly today?

Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.

🎲 Random Drawing Generator

Fly Drawing FAQ

What is the easiest way to draw a fly?

Start with a circle for the head and an oval for the body, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The nine-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable fly on their very first try with it.

How long does a fly drawing take?

A simple fly drawing takes about 15 minutes following this tutorial. A quick doodle version can be done in two or three minutes, while a detailed, fully-shaded study might take an hour. Speed comes with repetition — the second attempt is always faster than the first.

What do I need to draw a fly?

Just a pencil, an eraser, and any paper. An HB pencil for construction lines and a 2B for final outlines is a nice upgrade, and colored pencils or markers finish it off — but nothing on this page requires special supplies.

Is a fly easy to draw for beginners?

Yes — the fly is one of the friendlier subjects for beginners, and this method was written for first-timers. Kids can follow the same steps; just expect wobblier lines and more charm.