How to Draw a Large Star

While drawing a star may look like art, it relies more heavily on math.

paper

pencil

compass

protractor

ruler

Things You'll Need

• We all grew up drawing stars -- usually the sloppy, quick-hand-motion type. But if you are trying to draw a perfect star, that sort may not cut it. Stars are frequently used in the backdrop of plays, to decorate the walls of children's rooms, as the focus of artwork or at the center of a quilt. Whether you want a large perfect star with five points or the Star of David with six points, all it takes is a little math to get the job done.

Instructions

1. Divide your paper in four perfect quadrants by making a light pencil line horizontally across the middle and vertically down the middle. Use your ruler for this process.

2. Draw a perfect circle using the compass, keeping the point of the compass on the intersection of the two lines, using light-colored lead. For a very large canvas, special large compasses are available at art supply stores. The points of the star will touch the edges of the circle, so that should be your guide for how big to make the circle.

3. Mark 72 degrees from the upper vertical line to the right, using the protractor, and repeat all the way around the center clockwise. Use the vertical and horizontal lines' intercept as your base point.

4. Draw a light pencil line from the middle intercept to the edge of the circle on every 72-degree mark. You should draw four lines, with the fifth being the upper vertical line you started from.

5. Make a noticeable point where the lines you just drew intersect the circle, then erase the lines.

6. Using your ruler, connect every dot to the two directly opposite it on the circle. You will be making upside-down V shapes that intersect each other.

7. Erase any lines you no longer need, including the ones inside the star shape and the circle line. You should now have a perfect star, ready to be colored or detailed in any way you please.

8. Repeat the process using 60-degree angles for a perfect six-point Star of David.

References

• Easy Drawings and Sketches: How to Draw a Star