This Printable Insect Positive Negative Art is a fun way to explore positive and negative space using colour and design.
It’s a great Summer bug craft for anyone aged 8 and over (adults included!).
We love positive-negative art projects! Recently, we shared Positive Negative Flower Art, and today we have an insect version to add a touch of arthropod fun to our doodle art catalogue.
Included in this new set of designs are a dragonfly, a ladybug, and a butterfly.
Here are over 40 Pattern Art Projects for Kids
Pattern art is always soothing and relaxing. It promotes flow state and helps with mindfulness.
My teen daughter and her friends had a go at this project too. I love the beautiful designs they came up with:
For my own examples, I focused on creating insect-inspired organic patterns. The dragonfly is detailed with wing mosaic shapes, the butterfly with a starburst of patches and spots reminiscent of butterfly wings, and the ladybug with irregular-shaped bug spots.
Card stock is recommended, but paper will also work. If you use permanent markers for the patterning, be aware they will go through thin paper and stain the surface below.
If working with a group, use one template for every two students and cut it in half.
How to make Positive Negative Insect Pattern Art
You Will Need
- Card stock in white for the background
- Construction paper or card stock in a colour of your choice
- Markers for doodling. You can use permanent “sharpie” markers or regular kids washable markers, plus optional fine-tipped pens for more detailed patterns
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- The Positive Negative Insect Art Template, available in our printables store and TPT store
How to
Print your choice of insect onto a sheet of coloured card stock.
Cut the design in half along the line marked. Discard one half, then cut the shapes out.
Glue the shapes on in a positive/negative pattern as pictured.
Use a black marker to outline the card stock pieces.
Draw your pattern into the white spaces. It’s easiest to start with a continuous ‘framework’ for your pattern.
Optionally, add more complex details using fine-tipped markers, like I’ve done with the butterfly.
Colour the pattern.
With the dragonfly wing, I added fine detail in coloured fine-tips after colouring.
Hang your artwork on the wall to decorate for Spring or Summer!
More Creative Insect Activities
- Check out our realistic 3D insects with printable anatomy labels
- Create gorgeous butterflies using a squish art technique
- This firefly paper lantern will get kids excited about Summer bugs!
- These insect paper bracelets are so fun to make and wear
See all our pattern art printables here
More Insect Templates from our Printables Store
