How To Draw A Moon In Adobe Illustrator: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Computers and Electronics
• Software
• Adobe Software
• Adobe Illustrator

How to Draw a Moon in Adobe Illustrator Download Article A step-by-step guide to drawing a crescent moon in Illustrator Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Things You'll Need Related Articles Author Info

Last Updated: May 26, 2022

Download Article X

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 115,221 times. Learn more...

The crescent moon is an iconic and enduring image. This short but inclusive tutorial will show you how to draw a stylized sleeping moon using Adobe Illustrator CS5.

Steps

Download Article

1. 1 Create a new document. Go to File > New (or Ctrl + N) and set the size of the document to a horizontal letter-sized canvas. Add guides by creating a rectangle using the rectangle tool (W:11in, H:8.5in). Next, drag the guides onto each center of the bounding box. Finish by right clicking over your ruler to change your document measurements to pixels.
2. 2 To begin creating a moon, click on the Ellipse tool. Then click your pointer over the canvas to be able to create a circle that is 500 px in width and 500 px in height. Make sure you have a white fill and black stroke on the circle. Advertisement
3. 3 Copy and subtract two circles to form a crescent moon. Copy the circle by selecting it and dragging the shape while holding Alt on your keyboard. Then place the two circles on top of each other. Select both of them and click “Subtract” on your pathfinder's window.
   • To find your pathfinder window, go to window > pathfinder.
4. 4 After creating your crescent moon, rotate the image 25 degrees so that it's slightly angled. You can do this by selecting the shape, right-click over the image, click transform and then rotate. Then create small shapes such as (1) a triangle, (2) an ellipse, and (3) a heart.
5. 5 Use the small triangle to create the moon's nose. Drag the triangle onto the center of the crescent moon, select objects and then click “Unite” on your pathfinder's window.
6. 6 Create the moon's eyes. Use the small ellipse to create an almond shape. Copy the shape and place it on top of each other, where the one below is slightly peeking through the other.
   • To create an almond shape, use your pen tool by clicking “P” on your keyboard and deleting the anchor point on the ellipse. Note: also convert the anchor point of the ellipse's left side to a corner.
7. 7 Create the moon's lips. Use the small heart image and add three anchor points on it by using your pen tool. Follow the shape on the illustration after adding your three points.
8. 8 Add colors to the sleeping moon. Set the colors according to the following: (1) Darker Blue: C=57, M=0.06, Y=10.35, K=0 ; Lighter Blue: C=16.95, M=0, Y=2.84, K=0 ; Stroke: C=100, M=0, Y=0, K=0. (2) Outer Lid: C=72.51, M=2.45, Y=14.11, K=0 ; Inner Lid: C=57, M=0.06, Y=10.35, K=0 (3) Darker Pink: C=2.21, M=46.31, Y=27.28, K=0 ; Lighter Pink: C=0, M=20.51, Y=13.82, K=0 ; Stroke: C=0.89, M=97.14, Y=3.9, K=0
9. 9 Add colors and effects to the cheek and shadow of the sleeping moon. Set the colors and commands according to the following: (4) Darker Blue: C=39.7, M=0.05, Y=8.69, K=0 ; Lighter Blue: C=16.95, M=0, Y=2.84, K=0. Next, add a “Gaussian Blur” effect on the circle in this way: Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. And then set the radius to 20 pixels. For the shadow, copy and subtract the main shape to form a small shadow on the moon. Set the color to (5) C=72.51, M=2.45, Y=14.11, K=0. Then set the transparency to multiply with opacity of 20%.
   • You now have a sleeping crescent moon created using Adobe Illustrator. Add other details such as a sky, stars or clouds such as in this picture.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Illustrator

You Might Also Like

How toUse Adobe Illustrator How to Divide a Circle Evenly in Adobe Illustrator How toCreate Vectors in Adobe Illustrator How toCreate a Font in Illustrator How toDraw a Sphere How toCreate a Circle in Adobe Illustrator Drawing a Perfect Circle in GIMP: A Step-by-Step Guide Easily Add a Shadow to an Object in Adobe Illustrator How toMake a Cube in Adobe Illustrator How to Draw and Shade Realistic Lips How toDraw Cartoon Eyes How toDivide a Circle Into 6 Equal Parts How toColor in Adobe Illustrator How toMake Geometric Art Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 115,221 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 8 Updated: May 26, 2022 Views: 115,221 Categories: Adobe Illustrator In other languagesSpanish

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 115,221 times.

Is this article up to date?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

About This Article

Click a star to vote Co-authors: 8 Updated: May 26, 2022 Views: 115,221

Quizzes & Games

What's My Eye Type QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Makeup Type QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Moon Sign QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Draw QuizTake QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizDear Peachie Makeup QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toUse Adobe IllustratorHow to Divide a Circle Evenly in Adobe IllustratorHow toCreate Vectors in Adobe IllustratorHow toCreate a Font in Illustrator

Featured Articles

What 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends Better40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & MoreHow toMake Friends

Trending Articles

What Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouWhat JJK Character Am I Quiz

Featured Articles

The Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupAn Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?From Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male Personalities

Featured Articles

7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in MinutesHow to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHow toHypnotize SomeoneThe Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try?How to Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesHow toWhistle with Two Fingers

Watch Articles

How toEat GuavaHow to Get Yellow Stains Out of White ShoesLeft Eye Twitching for Females: What Astrology Says About Eye Twitching50 First Date Conversation Starters to Spark a ConnectionHow to Make a Mask Out of Paper (for Kids or Adults)How to Put Jibbitz on Crocs

Trending Articles

Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Finish the Lyrics QuizHow to Read Face Moles: Lucky and Unlucky PlacementsHow to Make the Magna-Tile Hologram from TikTokWhich Hunger Games District Would I Live In QuizCan Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?

Quizzes & Games

General Knowledge QuizTake QuizWhat Time of Day Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Color Aura QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Sun Moon and Rising Sign QuizTake QuizWhat Animal Would Go On My House Crest QuizTake QuizWho Is Your Dark Goddess QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Computers and Electronics
• Software
• Adobe Software
• Adobe Illustrator

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --381