Easy Space Drawing Techniques for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Ever looked up at the star-spangled sky and wished you could capture its vast beauty on paper? Well, you're in luck. This handy guide will walk you through easy space drawing techniques that even beginners can master. So, grab your drawing tools, and let's embark on this creative journey together.

1. Get Acquainted with the Right Tools

Before we jump into the world of easy space drawing, it's important to familiarize ourselves with the right tools. Think of it as preparing for a space mission—you wouldn't blast off without checking your equipment first, right?

Know Your Pencils

First things first, you need to get to know your pencils. Picking the right pencil can make a world of difference in your drawing. The most commonly used ones for sketching are the B-series pencils, with B standing for ‘Blackness’. A higher B number indicates a softer lead, which means darker, thicker lines—perfect for sketching bold, striking celestial bodies. On the flip side, H-series pencils, where H stands for ‘Hardness’, are great for lighter, finer lines like distant stars.

Pick the Right Paper

Next, let's talk about paper. While it might seem like an afterthought, the paper you choose can dramatically affect the result of your easy space drawing. For beginners, a medium-textured sketch paper is a safe bet. It's affordable, readily available, and offers a nice balance between smoothness and texture. Plus, it holds up well under erasing and shading—a must when you're just starting out.

Discover Different Erasers

Finally, let's touch on erasers. Yes, even the humble eraser has a big role to play in your space art! Rubber erasers are the most common and work well for most types of pencil marks. However, a kneaded eraser is a versatile tool that can get into small spaces, lift off light pencil marks, and create highlights in your drawing—stellar for creating twinkling stars in an easy space drawing.

Now that we've got our tools sorted, we're one step closer to creating some out-of-this-world art. Up next, we'll learn how to master basic shapes—because every celestial body starts as a simple shape, right?

2. Master Basic Shapes

To create a convincing easy space drawing, it's crucial to get the basics right. That means starting with simple shapes. You'll be surprised at how many celestial objects can be broken down into basic shapes like circles, squares, and pentagons. Let's take a closer look.

Draw Circles

Circles are the bread and butter of space drawings. Planets, moons, stars - all are based on the humble circle. To draw a circle, start with a small dot for the center and draw a larger circle around it. Practice drawing different sizes of circles to create a variety of celestial bodies. Remember, no one's perfect, and neither are celestial bodies. So, don't worry if your circles aren't completely round—it adds to the authenticity of the drawing.

Sketch Squares and Rectangles

Squares and rectangles may not seem like obvious shapes for space drawings, but they're essential for creating man-made objects like satellites and space stations. When sketching squares and rectangles, pay attention to the angles—getting these right will help your structures look more three-dimensional. You don't need a ruler for this, a little bit of practice and soon enough, you'll be sketching like a pro!

Perfect Your Pentagons

Lastly, let's discuss pentagons. These five-sided shapes are great for drawing complex structures like dodecahedron satellites or even a fun, stylized shooting star. To draw a pentagon, start with a central dot. Draw five equally spaced lines radiating out from the center, then connect the ends to form a star. Fill in the gaps between the star's arms, and voila, you have a pentagon.

With the basic shapes under our belt, we're well on our way to becoming master space artists. But what's a space scene without some depth and volume? That's where shading techniques come into play. So, brace yourselves, we're about to dive into the world of shading!

3. Nail the Shading Technique

Shading is what gives your easy space drawing depth and dimension. It brings your celestial bodies to life, transforming simple shapes into spheres floating in the infinite expanse of space. Let's explore the different shading techniques you can use in your drawings.

Explore Light Shading

Light shading is ideal for creating the illusion of a light source in your drawing. Think of the glow of a distant star or the bright side of a moon. To achieve this, apply gentle pressure with your pencil and create an even layer of graphite. Aim for uniformity—consistent strokes give a smoother finish. Remember, light shading is all about subtlety!

Experiment with Dark Shading

Dark shading, on the other hand, helps depict the shadowed parts of your objects and the vast emptiness of space. Here, you'll want to press harder with your pencil to darken the area. But beware! It's easy to go too dark too fast. Start light and gradually build up the darkness to keep control over your shading.

Try Gradient Shading

Gradient shading is where the magic happens in space drawings. It's the transition from light to dark that gives a sense of volume to your planets and moons. Start with light shading, then gradually increase the pressure on your pencil as you move towards the shadowed area. The key is to create a seamless transition between light and dark.

Now that we've got shading under control, it's time to add some depth to our drawings. And what better way to do that than by dabbling in perspective drawing? Let's move on to the next section, shall we?

4. Dabble in Perspective Drawing

Drawing space isn't just about sketching objects—it's about creating a sense of depth and distance. Perspective drawing helps us achieve this feeling of three-dimensionality. Let's dive into the basics together.

Understand One-Point Perspective

One-point perspective is like looking down a straight road that disappears into the horizon. One point—the vanishing point—guides all lines. For your easy space drawing, imagine a spaceship flying straight ahead. The lines of the spaceship would all point to a single spot in the distance. It's simple yet effective, just like the best space explorations!

Delve into Two-Point Perspective

Two-point perspective adds another dimension. Picture two vanishing points on the horizon. Imagine drawing a planet viewed from an angle, the sides of the planet would recede towards these two points. This technique adds a dynamic feel to your work and makes your planets pop out of the page.

Navigate Three-Point Perspective

Three-point perspective is the most complex but also the most realistic. It's perfect for creating a bird’s-eye or worm’s-eye view. Imagine a rocket shooting upwards—the lines of the rocket would converge to three different points: two on the horizon and one either above or below the horizon.

With perspective drawing, your space drawings take on a new dimension. But let's not stop here. Next, we're going to bring some real-life inspiration into our drawings and create some astronomical art.

5. Create Astronomical Art

Now that we've got the technical aspects down, it's time to bring your easy space drawing to life. Let's start with the basics: a sunrise, a moon, and an entire planetary system. Are you ready to turn your sketchbook into a cosmic canvas?

Sketch a Sunrise

Drawing a sunrise is a fantastic way to start your space journey. Try this:

Start by drawing a half circle for the sun peeking over the horizon.
Add some straight lines to represent rays of light.
Use soft, horizontal strokes to create a gradient sky.

It's simple, but with the right colors and shading, it can look stunning. Just like the real thing!

Draw a Detailed Moon

The moon is our closest celestial neighbor, and an easy space drawing of it can be a splendid practice. Here's a simple way to capture its craters and valleys:

Start with a perfect circle—remember our shape practice?
Add various-sized circles for craters.
Experiment with light and dark shading for depth.

Who knew the moon could be this easy to draw?

Portray a Planetary System

Now, let's take a big leap and draw an entire planetary system. Don’t worry, you've got this. Remember, it's all about the basics: circles for planets, ellipses for orbits, and shading for depth. Add some stars in the background, and voilà—you've just created a galaxy far, far away right in your sketchbook.

With these techniques in your artist's toolbox, you're well on your way to becoming a master of easy space drawing. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your pencils and let's reach for the stars!

If you're eager to dive deeper into space drawing techniques, don't miss out on the workshop 'Drawing with Ease and Accuracy' by Yazmin Moktan. This workshop will teach you how to create stunning space drawings with ease and accuracy, perfect for beginners looking to expand their artistic skills.