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The crescent moon is an ancient symbol. It was often used in mythology and worship. In one myth, the moon was a husband who ran away from his wife, the sun. That is why, so people thought, the sun and moon were rarely seen in the sky together.
Other mythology held that the moon was a woman, a goddess. The moon was associated with the goddesses Ishtar, Astarte, Diana, and Artemis. This symbolism was later adopted by the Roman Catholic Church and applied to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
What causes the moon to appear as a crescent when it is, in fact, round? The moon goes through different phases as it orbits the earth. Sunlight is reflected by the moon, creating its shining appearance. Where the moon is in shadow, it appears dark – virtually invisible against the night sky.
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Would you like to draw a whimsical crescent moon? This easy, step-by-step moon drawing tutorial is here to show you how. All you will need is a pencil, pen, or marker and a sheet of paper. You may also wish to color your finished drawing
If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Night Sky, Rain, and Sun.
Watch 'How to Draw a Crescent Moon' Video Tutorial
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Crescent Moon
1. Begin by drawing a long curved line. It should be shaped like a circle, but the circle must remain incomplete. It is not fully enclosed.
2. Draw a curved line from the top of the line, forming a sharp point. This outlines the top of the crescent moon.
3. Draw a curved line of from the other end of the original line, again forming a sharp point.
4. Use a series of curved lines to outline the face of the crescent moon. Notice the bulges of the brow, nose, and lips. The moon is now fully enclosed.
OTHER EASY DRAWING GUIDES:
5. Behind the outline of the brow, use curved lines to enclose a sharply pointed, curved shape. This forms the moon’s eyebrow.
6. Next, draw the eye. Use three curved lines to enclose a roughly triangular shape. Draw a curved line above the eye to form the eyelid, and a curved line within the eye to enclose the circular shape of the pupil. Shade the pupil, leaving a bit uncolored to represent the eye’s “sparkle.”
7. Draw a curved line to represent the moon’s nostril, and another for the mouth. Draw small dots at the back of the crescent to give the moon a mottled texture.
8. Continue to texture the crescent, extending the dots and circles to the pointed tips.
OTHER EASY DRAWING GUIDES:
9. Fill the sky with five-pointed stars.
Color your crescent moon.
You can also learn to draw a full moon, and a wolf to howl at it, using our handy drawing guides.
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The Complete Crescent Moon Drawing Tutorial in One Image
Printable PDF of the Drawing Guide
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