How to draw a starfish, step by step
- Easy
- 5 min
- 5 steps
- 4 materials
How to draw a starfish: this free lesson draws a starfish and a seashell in 5 easy steps, with a picture for every step, and it suits beginners and kids. You place two boxes side by side, mark the centre of each, and sketch five arms reaching out from the starfish's middle. Then you trace the soft outline of the starfish and draw the scallop shell with its wavy edge and ribs. It is one of the quickest lessons in the app. Draw it on paper, or trace each step in the Pencilbloom app.
Trace this lesson on your own paper
What you’ll need
- HB pencil
- Eraser
- Drawing paper
- Colored pencils (optional)
Draw it step by step
Step 1 of 5
new lines in red
- done
- this step
Step 1: Place the two boxes
Lightly draw two boxes side by side: a wide one on the left for the starfish and a smaller one on the right for the shell.
Tip: Use very light pressure; these guides will be erased.
Step 2: Mark centres and star points
Draw a circle in the middle of the starfish box, then a vertical line through the shell box for its centre.
Tip: Check that both subjects sit at a similar height.
Step 3: Sketch the star's arms
From the central circle, draw five light lines reaching to the box edges: one up, two sideways, two down.
Tip: Make the arms uneven in length so it feels natural.
Step 4: Draw the starfish outline
Trace the soft, rounded outline around your arm lines, curving gently into each notch between the arms.
Tip: Draw with your arm, not your wrist, for smooth curves.
Step 5: Draw the scallop shell
Draw the scalloped fan edge with its wavy top and bottom tabs, then the ribs radiating from the hinge up to the edge.
Tip: Start at the hinge and let the ribs fan out evenly along the centre line.
swipe the drawing to change step
Done! Now on paper?
You’ve seen every step. Trace it on real paper with Pencilbloom; your phone shows each step right on the page.
Trace this lesson on your own paper
Pencilbloom shows each step through your camera, right on the page.
FAQ
What paper and pencil should I use for tracing?
With the camera, any plain paper works, from printer paper to a sketchbook. For Trace on screen, use thin paper so the picture shines through. An HB pencil is good for guide lines and a softer 2B for darker final lines. Tape the paper down so it doesn't move.
How do the step-by-step drawing lessons work?
Each lesson builds a drawing in small steps, big shapes first and details last, with a picture for every step. You can draw along on paper while looking at the steps, or trace each step in the app. Many lessons are free, and you'll find them all on our Learn page.