How to Draw Mercury

1. Begin your Mercury outline by drawing a large circle. Then, use curved lines to trace an irregular rounded shape within it. These lines represent "buckles and scarps," steep slopes or embankments which suggest that the planet is shrinking.

2. Draw more curved lines across the surface of the planet, giving it a realistic texture.

3. Enclose irregular round shapes, further texturing the planet.

4. Use curved lines to enclose irregular shapes on the remainder of the planet's surface.

5. Draw a large crater near the northern pole of the planet. Use a "C" shaped line for the opening of the crater, with curved lines extending out from it.

6. Draw another crater near the planet's southern pole. Use curved lines to outline the mouth of the crater, and extend additional lines sloping away from it. Enclose a rounded heart shape elsewhere on the planet.

7. Draw another large crater within one of the irregular shapes. Use an oval for the center of the planet, with curved lines parallel to it to indicate the crater's rim. Then, extend straight lines outward from the crater.

8. Draw small impact craters across the surface of the planet, using ovals and "C" shaped lines.

9. Draw even more small craters on the surface of the planet, again using ovals and "C" shaped lines.

Your drawing of the planet Mercury is now complete. Mercury is a desolate, rocky world, appearing greyish brown in color. You won't find any blue waters or green vegetation on the surface of Mercury. It is inhospitable because it is very close to the sun and has very little atmosphere.

Some have compared Mercury's appearance to that of Earth's moon - a body that is equally small, rocky, and devoid of atmosphere. What do you think? You can try your hand at drawing the moon as well.