Easy Space Drawing Ideas: Tips and Techniques for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

Embarking on a journey to create your very own cosmic masterpiece? Well, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through some easy space drawing ideas, tips, and techniques to help you bring the universe to life on paper. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to brush up on your skills, these handy tips will help you navigate your way through the art of space drawing.

1. Get Your Materials Ready

Before you start sketching stars and galaxies, it's important to have the right tools at your disposal. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need to get started:

Choosing the Right Paper

Not all paper is created equal, especially when it comes to drawing. For space drawings, thicker paper works best as it can withstand shading and erasing without tearing. A sketchbook with medium-to-heavy weight paper is ideal. Consider a brand like Strathmore or Canson, known for their quality sketchbooks.

Picking Your Drawing Tools

When it comes to drawing tools, pencils are your best friend. A variety of pencils ranging from hard (H) to soft (B) will serve you well. Hard pencils are great for light, precise lines while softer pencils are perfect for dark, bold lines and shading. Don't forget a good quality eraser, such as the Paper Mate Pink Pearl, and a sharpener to keep your pencils in tip-top shape. For adding color, colored pencils, markers, or even watercolors can bring your space scenes to life.

Organizing Your Space

An organized workspace is key to a smooth drawing experience. Keep your drawing tools within arm's reach. This could be as simple as a pencil case or a desk organizer. Also, ensure you have good lighting. A desk lamp with adjustable brightness, like those from TaoTronics, can help reduce eye strain and make your drawing sessions more enjoyable. Now, you're all set to start creating your easy space drawing ideas!

2. Start with Basic Shapes

With your materials set up and ready to go, it's time to start drawing. But before we venture into the depths of space, let's start with the basics. The magic of drawing often begins with simple shapes.

Drawing Circles and Ovals

Circles and ovals are crucial in space art. They form the basis for planets, stars, and moons. Here's a quick tip to draw a perfect circle: Start by drawing a cross (+). Use the intersecting lines as a guide to draw the circle around. For ovals, tilt the cross so that the vertical line is longer than the horizontal. Then draw the oval around it. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first few attempts aren't perfect!

Sketching Squares and Rectangles

While squares and rectangles might not immediately come to mind when thinking about space, they are handy for drawing space crafts or rovers. To draw a square or rectangle, start by drawing a straight line. This will be one side of the shape. Then, draw a second line at a right angle to the first. Repeat until you have four sides. Remember, the opposite sides should be equal in length.

Mastering Stars and Triangles

What's a space drawing without stars? And triangles are the secret to drawing stars. Start by drawing an upside-down "V". This forms the top point of your star. Next, draw two lines diagonally down and outwards from the bottom of the "V". Finally, connect the ends of these lines with a straight line across. Voila, you have a star! Practice these shapes, and you'll have the basics down in no time.

Mastering these basic shapes is an essential first step in bringing your easy space drawing ideas to life. But don't worry if you don't get it right the first time. Remember, every great artist was once a beginner too. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be ready to draw the cosmos!

3. Experiment with Shading

Now that we've mastered basic shapes, let's take our easy space drawing ideas to the next level. Shading is what gives your drawing depth and dimension. It creates the illusion of light and shadow, making your celestial bodies look more realistic.

Understanding Light and Dark

When we talk about shading, we're really talking about light and dark. Think about it: a full moon shines brightly against the night sky, while a new moon is almost invisible. That's because one side of the moon is lit by the sun while the other side is in shadow. To capture this in your drawings, you'll need to learn to play with light and dark. Start by deciding where the light in your drawing is coming from. Then, apply darker shades to the side of your objects that are away from the light and lighter shades to the side that faces the light.

Applying Shading Techniques

There are a few different techniques you can use to shade your drawings. For example, hatching involves drawing closely spaced parallel lines, while cross-hatching uses intersecting lines. Stippling, on the other hand, uses dots to create different shades. Try out different techniques and see what works best for your easy space drawing ideas.

Creating Textures with Shading

Shading isn't just about light and dark. It can also help you create texture. For instance, you could use rough, irregular marks to give the surface of your moon a rocky texture. Or, use smooth, even shading to make your planets look glossy. Experiment with different textures to bring your space drawings to life.

Shading may seem a little tricky at first, but don't worry. With a bit of practice, you'll soon get the hang of it. And once you do, you'll be amazed at how it transforms your drawings. So go ahead, grab your pencils and start shading. The cosmos awaits!

4. Draw Astral Bodies

Ready to see your easy space drawing ideas come to life? Let's move on to drawing astral bodies. This is where you'll get to put your skills to the test and start creating your very own celestial masterpieces.

Drawing the Moon

First up, let's draw the moon. Start by drawing a circle or oval. Remember, the moon isn't a perfect sphere, so don't be afraid to play around with its shape. Once you're happy with the outline, use your shading techniques to give it depth and texture. Don't forget to leave a part of your moon brightly lit to show the sunlight reflecting off its surface. Who knew drawing the moon could be this fun?

Sketching Stars

Stars might seem small and insignificant, but they're what make our night sky so beautiful. To draw a star, start with a cross. Then, draw a smaller, diagonal cross over it. Now, connect the ends of your lines to create a star shape. Play around with different sizes and shapes to create a sky full of twinkling stars.

Creating Comets and Asteroids

Comets and asteroids can add drama to your space drawings. To draw a comet, start with a small circle for the nucleus. Then, draw an oval around it for the coma. Finish it off with a long, flowing tail. For asteroids, start with a rough, irregular shape. Add some craters and use shading to create a rocky texture. You've now got a sky full of astral bodies!

Drawing astral bodies might seem daunting at first, but remember: practice makes perfect. So keep drawing, keep experimenting, and above all, keep having fun. Your easy space drawing ideas are starting to take shape, so let's keep going!

5. Create Your Own Galaxies

Now that you've mastered drawing astral bodies, let's take your easy space drawing ideas to the next level and create your own galaxies. There's no right or wrong way to do this, so let your imagination run wild!

Imagining Your Galaxy

Firstly, close your eyes and imagine your galaxy. What does it look like? Is it a spiral, elliptical, or irregular galaxy? Does it contain many stars or just a few? Once you've got a clear picture in your mind, sketch a rough outline of your galaxy. This will be your guide as you add in more details.

Drawing Galactic Shapes

Next, start drawing the shapes that make up your galaxy. If it's a spiral galaxy, draw a central bulge and spiral arms. For an elliptical galaxy, you'll need to draw an elongated sphere. And if you've chosen an irregular galaxy, feel free to experiment with different shapes and sizes. Remember, this is your galaxy, so don't be afraid to get creative!

Adding Details and Colors

Now for the fun part — adding details and colors. Use different shading techniques to give your galaxy depth and dimension. Add stars, planets, comets, and asteroids to make it vibrant and full of life. And don't forget to add color. Use different shades of blues, purples, and pinks to give your galaxy a magical, otherworldly feel.

And there you have it: your very own galaxy! Creating galaxies is a great way to experiment with your easy space drawing ideas and develop your drawing skills. So grab your drawing tools, let your imagination soar, and start creating your own galaxies. Happy drawing!

For those looking to improve their space drawing skills, don't miss the workshop titled 'Drawing with Ease and Accuracy' by Yazmin Moktan. This workshop will provide you with helpful tips and techniques to create stunning space drawings, even if you're just a beginner. Unlock your artistic potential and start creating mesmerizing cosmic art today!