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How to Sketch Positions of the Moon

Although the position of the moon is constantly changing relative to the Earth and sun, there are eight positions or "phases" that the moon goes through in its one-orbit cycle. From new moon to full moon and back to new moon again, you can sketch the different phases of the moon as they appear in the night sky with a few drawing utensils.

Things You'll Need

Drawing utensils

Instructions

- 1
  Sketch the full moon position by drawing a circle and filling in the entire circle with a black coloring utensil.
- 2
  Draw the waxing and waning crescent moon phases by sketching a circle for the moon and drawing a slight curved line on either the left or right side of the circle from top to bottom. The curve should not surpass half of the circle. The curved sliver of light for the waxing crescent moon should be on the right side while the sliver of light for the waning crescent moon should be on the left. Fill in the large portion of the circle with a dark-colored drawing utensil.
- 3
  Illustrate first quarter and last quarter moon phases, which means only the the left or right half of the moon will be illuminated. Sketch the circle for the moon and draw a line straight down the middle of the circle. Fill in the left half of the circle with a dark-colored drawing utensil if the moon is in the first quarter position. Fill in the right half of the circle if the moon is in the third quarter position.
- 4
  Sketch the waxing and waning gibbous moon phases by drawing the same image as Step 2. Instead of filling in the large portion of the moon, fill in the small curved line with a dark-colored drawing utensil. For a waxing gibbous, the small dark-colored sliver should be on the left, while the waning gibbous should have a small, dark sliver on the right side.
- 5
  Sketch the full moon, which is a large circle with no dark areas. For this, simply draw an image of a circle and leave it unfilled.

Astronomy