Step by step drawing of outer space with children. How to draw space: the simplest methods and tools


There is no doubt that any person, thinking, so to speak, about the eternal, imagines the depths of space with its unexplored expanses and tries to express his feelings in the form of a painting or drawing. Let's see how to draw space using various tools and techniques.

What do we associate outer space with?

The primary association of outer space, even on a subconscious level, for any person is reduced to infinity, although not everyone imagines what it is.

If you approach the question of how to draw space step by step, you should pay attention to some elements that are most often depicted in paintings. First, a spatial structure is created. These can be galaxies or nebulae with rarefied gas, then stars visible to the naked eye or through modern telescopes are included here.

Only then can we assume the presence of a planetary system, although in most cases the question of how to draw space comes down to depicting objects known to us in the solar system, because we do not know what the surfaces of planets in other star systems look like (the nearest distance is 4 light years - Proxima of the constellation Centaurus).

And, naturally, to depict his view of what might be there, even a novice artist uses completely different tools that best suit his imagination.

If you look at all the drawings and paintings, you will notice that most often they depict stars (constellations), nebulae, galaxies and planetary systems.

In the first, second and third cases, the question of how to draw space is solved quite simply. On any dark background (even black or gray), inclusions are applied in the form of stars, varying in size and light activity. This is the easiest way.

As for nebulae, they often appear colored not only in the ultraviolet or infrared spectrum, but also in the range visible to the human eye. It is from this perspective that it is worth considering the question of how to paint space in watercolors. It is best suited for this due to the fact that when mixed with water, you can get smooth shades and transitions that are inaccessible to, say, gouache or oil paints. But more on that later.

How to get inspiration?

If you’re really thinking about how to draw space, or rather, get some kind of charge that can give impetus to an outburst of emotions, first you should just look at the night sky in clear weather.

Alas, in our hemisphere the sky looks only like darkness interspersed with stars. Another thing is the Southern Hemisphere, where the Milky Way (that’s the name of our galaxy) looks in all its glory.

On the other hand, music is quite a powerful tool for activating thoughts. If previously so-called space music was associated with bands like Space or Zodiac, today it is enough to listen to compositions in the Ambient, Chillout or Downtempo style, which use complex sound effects.

How to paint space with paints?

Now about the colors. Based on the above, the most decisive question will be how to paint space in watercolors.

Here it is worth paying attention to the colors themselves. First you need to apply a dark background to the sheet, let the paint and paper dry a little, and then dilute the depth by adding water as usual. You understand that outer space cannot be equally dark.

After this, you can begin drawing images of galaxies or planets. By the way, it is with the help of watercolors that it is best to depict colored gas nebulae. But you can specify some elements using additional means in the form of gouache or oil.

How to draw space with a pencil?

With pencils the situation is somewhat worse. The fact is that it will not be possible to achieve the blurriness inherent in space.

Here it is better to use vertical, horizontal or oblique shading with a long stylus. In addition, even drawing some global elements requires knowledge of additional effects.

Additional effects

In the case of paints, everything is clear. Regular dilution with water gives a fairly powerful effect. But few people know that back in Soviet times, a method was invented to obtain smooth transitions when drawing with a pencil.

You just need to grind off the lead a little onto a separate piece of paper, then take the powder and smear it over the image on the paper. The effect is simply amazing. By the way, this applies not only to simple pencils, but also to colored pencils. This is called retouching.

Separately, it is worth noting that when it comes to the question of how to draw space, some authors of paintings do not limit themselves only to using standard means. For example, adding sparkles to symbolize stars is quite a hot topic.

Which is better to use?

Now a few words about what is better: a computer program or hand drawing? Both. Of course, applications for creating and processing graphics have their own quite powerful capabilities, but many people first record their flight of thoughts on paper, after which they scan the drawing and convert it into the desired format.

However, programs like Adobe Photoshop or the same Corel Draw package offer the use of complex gradient fills as templates, which are simply not possible to achieve with regular drawing.

Based on this, we can simply advise you to initially make a sketch of the future drawing or painting, and only then decide whether it should be processed in a computer program or left unchanged. In principle, both options are acceptable. Although the solution to the question of how to paint space in the usual way seems preferable.

It’s another matter if the artist does not want to digitize the painting. This is understandable, because a sheet of paper or canvas looks natural. Unlike computer images, when viewing, you can touch the painting and see the paint application technique used by the author of this or that masterpiece.

On a dark night, when we look up, we see a black, bottomless sky and many sparkling small distant points. These are the stars. And somewhere between the stars, even further away and practically invisible to us, distant planets rotate around their axes and in their orbits.

Mysterious space... This little-explored and little-studied world beckons us, attracts us with its secrets and does not allow a person to calm down, asking him the same question: what is there, in the distant distance? A world of stars, planets, nebulae, asteroids, comets... Will we ever know the whole truth about you? The theme of space is very loved by artists: both experienced and beginners. Now let's pick up pencils and try to draw space step by step. So, let's get started!

Stage 1. First, draw a circle approximately in the middle of the sheet. This is the center of our universe - a Star called the Sun. You can draw a circle using a compass or by circling some round object that suits your size.


Stage 2. Then from the circle - the Sun we begin to draw elliptical circles. To put it simply, these are ovals of different sizes: from the smallest around the Sun. They gradually expand, increasing to the largest. These circles are the orbits of the various planets in our Universe that revolve around the Sun.

Stage 3. On the nearest elliptical circle we draw the planet Mercury. Next - Venus, then - Earth, and then - Mars. On our planet Earth we will show the wavy lines of the oceans and continents, and also draw a small satellite of the Earth - the Moon. In the foreground we will depict an interplanetary spacecraft with clear features.


Stage 4. Add large circles - the planets Jupiter and Saturn with rings around their axis. Let's add another front part to the spaceship.


Stage 5. Now the turn of the most distant planets has arrived: Neptune, Uranus and Pluto.


Stage 6. Using small dots throughout the picture between the planets and their axes of motion, we show cosmic dust.


Stage 7. It wasn’t at all difficult for us to draw space. Namely, our Universe with the center - the Sun Star.


Stage 8. Color the drawing. We do this carefully so that it turns out picturesque and believable.




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How to paint space with watercolors?

We will need:

  • thick paper for watercolors (Whatman paper);
  • brushes (thin and thick);
  • watercolor;
  • white gouache;
  • Toothbrush;
  • water.

Drawing step by step

To get an original drawing, let's depict space in a circle. Take a thick brush, dip it in clean water and go over a piece of paper. This is necessary in order to get beautiful stains. It is best to start painting space with light colors, using yellow, orange, red and blue. Use chaotic strokes to make the transitions between colors look more natural.

Dilute several rich blue shades on your palette at once, mixing them with purple and black paint. To paint space with watercolors, you need to apply strokes with quick, chaotic movements, remembering to rinse the brush in water for each new shade. This way, the colors of the starry sky will turn out pure and more contrasting, and the stains will look impressive.

Move from the center to the sides, filling the improvised space circle with paints. Don't be afraid to brush over areas that are already dry, modifying the space pattern as you go and adding richness to some areas.

When you fill the entire circle with paints, you can start working on the details. Take a thin brush and paint over the glow area with red and yellow. The color transition will become more interesting, making the star nebula colorful.

Do you want to draw space with millions of stars? Then wait until the drawing is completely dry, take a toothbrush, dip it in white gouache and leave a splash on the sheet, gently running your finger over the bristles.

To make the space drawing more interesting, you can draw planets on top. To do this, use white gouache to draw circles of different sizes. After the paint has dried, use a thin brush to apply colored dot strokes, not forgetting the semicircular shadow on one side of the planet.

Another way to paint space with watercolors

1. In order to draw the Universe, only 3-4 colors are enough. At least that's the amount you can start with. Important: The sheet for watercolors must be very dense so that it does not wrinkle from water and so that the paint spreads beautifully and evenly.

2. The outline can be drawn with a hard pencil to indicate the space that you will wet with water. Wet part of the allocated space.

3. Apply paint to the wetted area. Try to make the contours beautiful.

4. Wet the rest of the space with water and apply a different color of paint. Selectively add bright pops of color throughout the design. The drawing must be wet so that the paint flows beautifully.

5. Once the design is completely dry, apply the stars. This can be done with white or yellow paint using an old toothbrush.

6. Some stars could be drawn more carefully.

If you sprinkle salt on a wet drawing, the structure of space will turn out even more interesting. The salt will absorb some of the paint, and if you shake it off after it has completely dried, there will be beautiful white dots and clouds in place of the salt.

Pencil image of space

To decide how to draw space step by step with a pencil and get a high-quality image, you need a little more attention and perseverance.

The technique of drawing with a pencil is a little more complicated compared to paints. As with any drawing, you need to decide on the composition of the picture. To create the background, you will need to draw the right classic strokes that will give the drawing a sense of spatiality. You should start with the darkest strokes, gradually moving to lighter colors. The main thing is to avoid sharp corners and hard lines. We add images of planets, the moon, stars, etc. to the background. The depth, smoothness and softness of space should be reflected in the drawing.

Simple drawing of space with pencils

1. The large solar system consists of the Sun, around which 8 planets revolve. So first we need to draw a big circle.

3. You will need to draw one planet on each line. Each planet has its own size and distinctive features. For example, Saturn is in the sixth position from the Sun, and it has a ring system. Uranus also has rings. There are 30 of them in total, but in the figure we will indicate this with one line. Also, let's draw one comet and an asteroid field between Mars and Jupiter (between the fourth and fifth planet). Asteroids will also be depicted behind the last planet. They are called the Kuiper field.

4. We outline each element in the drawing with a black marker.

5. We begin to color the space. First of all, let's give color to the Sun, which needs yellow and orange shades. Red tones in darker places will also not be out of place.

Then, in order, we move on to the other planets and color them with the same pencils. Using a yellow pencil we will add color to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. We will also apply strokes with an orange pencil to Venus, Mars and Jupiter. But let's color the rings of Saturn with a brown pencil.

6. Now let's move on to other planets. We will color them with blue and cyan pencils. These will be Uranus and Neptune. But our planet Earth has distinguished itself from others. After all, it will have different shades - yellow, blue, and green. Let's color the asteroid belts with a brown pencil.

7. Now let's add color to outer space. To do this, we use pencils of blue, blue and violet colors.

8. At this point the drawing of space is completely finished. Of course, there are many details that can be completed here, but let's leave it to our imagination to dream and feel the whole essence of the Universe.

Several interesting drawings of space




Or oil paints, it will help to understand the method of comparing the above materials. Gouache is easier to apply. It allows you to correct design flaws and easily mix colors. Oil paints require more experience and professionalism. They are the most difficult to work with. To depict a painting in watercolor, certain skills are also required. You need to specifically know and understand how to paint space in watercolors, where and what will be located in the picture, since it is almost impossible to correct shortcomings. Therefore, many beginners prefer gouache.

Watercolor is created for works of a more professional level. Although it is also used for teaching in schools.

Basic principles

To depict space with paints or pencils, you need to prepare:

  1. Take paper, paints or a pencil.
  2. Try to immediately decide what will be shown in the picture.
  3. First you need to draw the background.
  4. Next you need to depict space objects.
  5. Add the necessary effects.

How to paint space with paints?

Let’s try to answer the question: “How to paint space with paints step by step?” Beginning artists will need a little free time and imagination. Taking paper, paints and brushes, we get to work.

There are many recommendations on how to paint space step by step. Let's focus on one of them. The first thing you need to start with is to decide on the subject of the drawing. These can be your own fantasies about space, pictures, photographs, films and more. It is necessary to decide in advance where approximately the various objects in the drawing will be located. These objects can even be outlined with light pencil strokes so that the paint can hide them later.

The drawing should start from the background. He may not be black. Various colors can be used for the background, or even better, a combination of them. Having chosen the necessary shades, paint the sheet with bold strokes. It is best to use acrylic, oil paints or gouache for drawing space. This will give the picture a special flavor. After applying the background, the drawing must be left to dry. If you use oil paints, you don’t need to wait for them to dry.

Once the background is ready, you can begin to design the main details. It is best to draw objects several tones lighter than the main background. You can add highlights to them using paints with a white tint. To make the work more like a cosmic drawing, you can add various effects using light-accumulating or luminescent paints. If you want to give an object a three-dimensional image and a special relief, rub part of the paper with wax before applying the background. After applying the paints and depicting the main objects, you need to run a sharp object over the surface of the drawing. The volumetric image is ready.

How to paint space with watercolors?

By depicting a mysterious abyss, you can get an alluring and mysterious world. Comets, asteroids and other celestial bodies will help you get closer to the mysterious space.

In order to figure out how to draw space in watercolors, you need, as in the previous drawing, to take a sheet of paper, paint, brushes and decide on the background. To do this, you can use blue or lilac shades of watercolor. Black is best used sparingly or not at all. It is advisable to apply the background with a wide brush. After it dries, start creating. You can depict distant planets. Draw stars in the form of blurry highlights, four- or hexagonal outlines.

At the head of the picture, place, for example, a flying comet, consisting of a head and a tail, which can be depicted in the form of several rays. The latter can be either straight or zigzag. Orange or red colors are more suitable for this. The comet can be depicted in other colors, for example, silver or white, with small strokes of blue watercolor. As in the previous example, rubbing paper with wax will provide an interesting effect.

Instead of a comet, you can depict a rocket by outlining its contours with a simple pencil. To do this, we draw an oval with a pointed top and straight bottom. The two semicircular lines at the bottom of the rocket will simulate its tail. Red or orange colors will help depict the fire coming from the rocket. The body can be coated with lighter shades.

No less interesting will be UFOs and other objects of any color and shape. It all depends on your imagination.

There are many options for how to paint space in watercolors. Whatever method is chosen, the plot depicted with these colors creates clearer and more realistic contours. It turns out very bright and colorful.

Pencil image of space

To decide how to draw space step by step with a pencil and get a high-quality image, you need a little more attention and perseverance.

The technique of drawing with a pencil is a little more complicated compared to paints.
As with any drawing, you need to decide on the composition of the picture. To create the background, you will need to draw the right classic strokes that will give the drawing a sense of spatiality. You should start with the darkest strokes, gradually moving to lighter colors. The main thing is to avoid sharp corners and hard lines. We add images of planets, the moon, stars, etc. to the background. The depth, smoothness and softness of space should be reflected in the drawing.

Different variants

You can use various objects for a painting on the theme of “space”: stars, planets, rockets. Draw satellites, asteroids, comets. Also suitable for the plot are UFOs, a cluster of galaxies, etc. It is quite easy to draw these objects with paints, the main thing is to have a little imagination.

What and how to draw space so that the work looks rich, bright and realistic? You can take an ordinary simple pencil and, by applying light and shadows, create an exquisite and beautiful work. Or use watercolors and create on a sheet of whatman paper an image of stars beckoning into distant depths with their cool glow. Or, using gouache and acrylic, create a lush landscape with planets, satellites and space rockets.

For fans of creativity, there is a more original way - try to draw space with an ordinary kitchen sponge, thus obtaining an almost unique picture on a star-galactic theme... As you can see, there are many options and all of them are described in detail in step-by-step master classes with step-by-step instructions, photos and videos, accessible to children and beginning artists. Choose the most interesting method for yourself and create beautiful painting masterpieces to the delight of yourself and your loved ones.

Drawings on the theme of space for children in pencil step by step, master class

A very beautiful drawing on the theme of space can be made with children, following the tips and recommendations of this master class. To perform, you will only need simple pencils of varying hardness and medium-weight landscape paper. The finished work will be realistic and will fully reflect the atmosphere of another planet on which astronaut researchers have just landed.

Necessary materials for children's drawings on a space theme

  • Whatman sheet
  • simple pencil HB
  • simple pencil 2B
  • ruler
  • compass
  • eraser

Step-by-step instructions on how to draw an interesting drawing on the theme of Space for children


How to paint space with watercolors step by step for beginners

Painting space with watercolors is the most enjoyable and exciting activity, if only because it allows for flights of fancy and allows even novice artists to gradually create a truly unique, exclusive work with their own hands. You can make your own adjustments to the process and introduce any colors that you like and are pleasing to the eye. The main thing is that the overall image looks harmonious and meets general ideas about the appearance of outer space.

Necessary materials for a step-by-step watercolor painting of Space

  • paper
  • set of watercolor paints
  • brush
  • stretcher or board
  • push pins

Step-by-step instructions on how to paint space with watercolors


How to draw space in gouache - planets, stars and satellite

To paint such classic elements of the cosmic landscape as planets, stars and satellites, you can use gouache paints. Work done using this technique will turn out bright, rich and rich and will serve as an excellent decoration for a room intended to celebrate Cosmonautics Day.

Necessary materials for drawing on the theme of space in gouache

  • paper
  • set of gouache paints
  • simple pencil
  • eraser
  • brushes (wide and thin)

Step-by-step instructions on how to draw planets, stars and a space satellite in gouache

  1. Make a preliminary rough sketch and mark on paper a large semicircle of a planet in the foreground, a smaller planet with rings a little further in the upper right corner, and a small meteorite satellite in the upper left of the composition.
  2. Use dark blue thick colors to tint the upper part of the picture. Make broad strokes and do not shade them along the edges so that the different shades are visible to the eye and are easier to read.
  3. In the lower part of the composition, make a lighter background, diluting the blue paints with white.
  4. Color the largest planet on the right side with lighter colors, and towards the bottom with rich bluish-gray tones.
  5. Make the meteorite as dark as possible, and paint the planet with rings in a bright orange rich tone.
  6. Then take a thinner brush and highlight the details. Mark bends and bulges on the meteorite so that it looks three-dimensional and realistic. On the largest planet, draw volcanic craters and highlight those on the sunny side with white.
  7. Scatter large eight-pointed stars over a dark blue background, and in some places place small white dots symbolizing distant luminaries. Wait for the work to dry thoroughly and hang it on the wall.

How to paint space with acrylic paints - a simple step-by-step master class for children

A simple, step-by-step master class will tell everyone how to make a bright and optimistic drawing of space using acrylic paints. They have excellent coverage, allow you to achieve rich, dense colors and dry quickly. All these characteristics make acrylic a very convenient working material not only for experienced painters, but also for very young beginning artists.

Necessary materials for depicting space with acrylic paints

  • paper
  • simple pencil
  • eraser
  • acrylic paint set
  • brushes

Step-by-step instructions for the master class “Children’s drawing on the theme of space with acrylic paints”

  1. On a blank sheet of paper, mark two semicircles of planets of different sizes in the upper left and lower right corners. Place 3-4 small planets, spaceships and stars in the remaining empty space. In the lower semicircle, draw the figure of an astronaut, and in the upper semicircle, draw a flying rocket.
  2. Coloring the drawing is quite conventional, without resorting to mixing different colors. Tint the upper planet bright red, and the lower planet yellow-orange.
  3. Cover the vault of heaven with a very dark blue or even black color. Paint the stars with light yellow, pinkish and silver tones.
  4. Paint small planets according to your own taste; use bright, contrasting colors to paint spaceships.
  5. The astronaut standing on the lower planet is “dressed” in an orange spacesuit and “given into his hands” the Russian national flag.
  6. Draw the faces of aliens in the windows of interstellar ships and space dishes. Wait for the painting to dry and hang it in a prominent place or present it as an exhibit for a school competition.

How to draw space with a sponge - master class step by step on video

The author of this video tells how to draw picturesque cosmic distances using an ordinary kitchen sponge. Additional materials for work will require a toothbrush, plastic lids of different sizes and a small piece of fiberboard. You can use any paints, including acrylic, gouache or watercolor. The process does not take much time, but requires some skill. You need to learn how to carefully and clearly use a sponge, applying certain tones to the paper. Since the work is quite “dirty”, it is better to do it in some place where there is no risk of staining interior items, walls and furniture. It also wouldn’t hurt to put on an apron or some simple clothes that you don’t mind putting a splash of color on. But the final picture more than compensates for all these inconveniences and will bring a lot of pleasure to both the author and the audience.