Ocean · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a smiling starfish: Pointed Arms and Inner Markings
Explore smiling starfish through four selected drawing stages. Focus on pointed arms and inner markings and a textured crayon finish.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 4 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice smiling starfish with attention to pointed arms and inner markings.
Shapes and proportions
Keep the five tapered arms distinct while reserving a small face in the center.
A common mistake
A face too large pushes the inner markings onto the arm edges.
How to fix it
Set a small central face zone before adding dots along the arms.
This smiling starfish study focuses on pointed arms and inner markings. Keep the five tapered arms distinct while reserving a small face in the center. The exercise is about keeping these visible shapes readable before adding small marks or color.
These are four selected stages, not a complete stroke-by-stroke sequence. Blue guide lines mark additions in the source images. Compare the pictures for the overall shape changes; use the complete LittlePaper lesson for the smaller steps between them.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil and crayons matching the example. Leave room around the drawing for proportion checks before making the outlines darker.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 4
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Selected stage 3: early shapes
This picture shows source stage 3 of 9 for smiling starfish, not the next single stroke. Keep the five tapered arms distinct while reserving a small face in the center. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 6: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 6 of 9 for smiling starfish, not the next single stroke. Set a small central face zone before adding dots along the arms. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: pointed arms and inner markings
Compare the finished smiling starfish outline with the earlier selected stages. A face too large pushes the inner markings onto the arm edges. Set a small central face zone before adding dots along the arms.
Complete outline: pointed arms and inner markings · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: warm orange, cream white
Use the colored smiling starfish example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes warm orange, cream white. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: warm orange, cream white · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses warm orange, cream white. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Set a small central face zone before adding dots along the arms.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “How to Draw a Starfish Step by Step Drawing Tutorial” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
