Stick Insects

A page of stick figure style insect drawings.

Not just the rather obvious stick insect, but also others where I figure they have some appeal and I can draw them.

In theory, insects are easier to draw than furry beasts. A simple shape, colours and certain attributes can create a drawing of a relatively identifiable creature.

As time goes by I occasionally need one for an article or a new design. They go into my insect page.

Oh yeah. In the US they call insects - bugs. If I had remembered that, this page would have been wildly popular. Hey ho.

Bee

The bee drawing is a good example of a stick style graphic. It looks nothing like a real bee but we immediately accept it as one. That is because there are strong visual clues about bees in the drawing.

Yellow and black stripy body

Fat and friendly insect

Wings

The cartoon style graphic is used with reasonable effect to achieve a picture of a bee that works.

That is what drawing stick figure insects means to me.

Bug Life

Bug Life design is based on a May Bug. I added shades, an expression and a gold chain to riff off the idea of "Thug Life".

Butterflies

Surely the favourite of all insects, the butterfly is a colourful sight in summer gardens. With a fascinating life cycle through egg, caterpillar, chrysalis to butterfly and astonishing migratory feats for such a fragile creature - they insist on attention with their huge variety of beautiful colours and patterns.

This design was a mash-up of different butterfly types. Easy to create and quite good fun too.

Centipede

The Centipede below is an artist's impression of one. That means it is not entirely accurate. On the plus side it creates a fun graphic with just the right amount of scary.

This style of design is perfect for a kids t-shirt or similar. Assuming they are a fan of creepy-crawlies.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly graphic shows a dragonfly in flight with all four wings visible plus typical body shape.

An attractive visitor to garden ponds in Summer, the dragonfly is one of the more spectacular insects.

In celebration of hot summer days and dragonflies by the water.

Giant Millipede

Hissing Cockroach

These large and slightly scary insects are a curiously popular choice for a pet.

A safe starter for the more exotic end of the scary market - before spiders, snakes and other reptiles.

Do they make great pets?

They have their fans and are similar to other creatures that tend not to interact much with their human keepers.

Here's an I Love version which sells from time to time. Turns out some people really do love their Giant Cockroaches.

Ladybird

Called Ladybug in the US - the Ladybird is a children's favourite in summer gardens.

A friendly looking and interesting bright patterned insect. It is also a beetle which instantly elevates it in my personal insect hierarchy of attraction.

From a technical drawing point of view: basic shape and red with large black spots. Hey Presto! You got yourself a ladybug.

Litterbug

Not a real insect obviously but an irritating summer visitor nonetheless.

A common sight at tourist destinations, town centres and beaches - the Litterbug leaves a trail of rubbish for others to collect and dispose of.  

Scorpion

The scorpion is a brilliant insect, or arachnid to use it's correct term. It has everything an enthusiastic scary creature fan could want for. From the powerful looking pincers to the tip of its stinging tail, the scorpion is a superb example.

Personally, I would not want to be anywhere near one.

Spider

Spiders are a brilliant insect.

Useful and mostly good-natured. They build fantastic webs, have amazing strength and ability.

Yet we are scared of them. Conditioned to respond by shrieking, hiding and generally having a problem with these insects.

​Strictly speaking the spider is not an insect. Like the scorpion, it is an arachnid.

The design below is an abject failure. It is neither clever or attractive. It is here as a reminder to me to create something better, sometime.

Stick Bug Insect

Tarantula

​Tarantula is a spider drawing in a cool graphic style. For arachnid fans and spider supporters.

I put some effort into this one because it turns out tarantulas are surprisingly hairy, for an insect.

Outsect

Outsect is my clever outtro for this page. Insect - outsect.

Yes, yes, yes. I'll think of a better one sometime.

Categorising my drawings in this way, under pages like Fish, Birds, and so on - enables me to easily look for alphabetical gaps for inspiration. Perhaps I'll draw a Wasp next.

Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: September 1, 2025.

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