Praying Mantis sketch

Named for the prayer-like position of its prominent front legs, the praying mantis is rather more predatory than priestly – this is the mantis’s stalking position.

Taken from Tim Pond's book, The Field Guide to Drawing & Sketching Animals, learn all about the fearsome praying mantis as you learn how to draw and paint them in watercolour.

All about praying mantises:

• The praying mantis is a formidable predator, made more effective by its incredible camouflage ability.
• They have some really unusual adaptations: they only have one ear and that is on their chest. They have acute vision: some experts believe that they could be capable of seeing 20m (65½ft) in front of them.
• They're best-known for their ability to snatch prey with their highly mobile front legs, which move with incredible agility, the strike of a praying mantis lasts a fraction of a second.
• Mantises are typically green or brown and incredibly well camouflaged to merge in with the plants among which they live. This camouflage helps the mantis lie in wait to ambush or patiently stalk its prey.
• The praying mantis is of the order mantodea, which is broken down into over 2,400 different species over fifteen families.
• They have populations worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats.
• Females are considered to be femme fatales as they are sometimes known to eat the males after copulation.
• Praying mantises can remain motionless for long periods, like a statue, which helps prevent them being detected.
• When they do move, they often travel forward while gently rocking back and forth. This helps them emulate the swaying leaves and branches in the breeze and helps to fool prey.
• Mantids may or may not have wings. In those species that have wings, the front pair of wings is toughened to protect the membranous hind wings underneath.
• Mantids can turn their heads through 180° to scan their surroundings.

Make a study sheet

Praying mantis ZSL London Zoo

Before illustrating a studio portrait, it is beneficial to spend time with a live mantis to get accustomed to its behaviour.

When sketching from life, look for posture, position and line of action.

Things to notice when sketching praying mantises:

Praying mantises have five eyes: two large compound eyes and three simple eyes located between them

• The large compound eyes sit on a triangular-shaped head.
• The head is poised in a high position of power on a long ‘neck, which is actually an elongated thorax.
• Praying mantises have five eyes: two large compound eyes and three simple eyes located between them.
• The front legs are held forward.
• The spiny-armoured femur is large and diamond-shaped.
• The wings mimic leaves with incredible sophistication, including vein-like camouflage.

Demonstration: Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis, watercolour sketch