How to Draw an Oval
A true ellipse requires a complicated mathematical formula, time and practice to draw. You can, however, draw an oval shape that, while not mathematically exact, works just fine for craft projects or gardening. In fact, this method of drawing an oval is called the "gardener's ellipse" because of its usefulness for mapping out oval-shaped flowerbeds.
Instructions
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1
Draw a horizontal line using your ruler, equal to the length of the oval. This is called the major axis. Mark the center point of the line.
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Draw a vertical line equal to the width of the oval. This is called the minor axis. The center of this line should match the center point you marked on the first line.
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3
Set the compass width to half the length of the major axis.
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4
Place the compass point at the endpoint of the minor axis. Draw a short arc across each side of the major axis. Mark the points where these arcs intersect with the major axis. These are called the foci of the ellipse.
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5
Place the paper on a piece of wood, cardboard or something else that will hold thumbtacks steady. Stick a thumbtack into each end of the major axis.
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6
Tie a string to each thumbtack so that it lays taut along the length of the major axis.
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Move the thumbtacks from the ends of the major axis to the foci.
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Hold the pencil point against the string, keeping it taut, and draw an arc. The string will force the pencil line into the shape of an oval with the length and width of the axes you drew.
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Tips & Warnings
If the string tangles in the thumbtacks, try drawing the top and bottom halves of the oval separately.
See Resources for more mathematically complex and accurate ways of drawing an oval.
