How to Draw an Impossible Square

Step 1: A small square

In the middle of your paper, draw a small square with 4 equal sides.

Tip Use a ruler if you like: straight sides make the trick work.

Step 2: Four little tails

Start at the top right corner. Carry the top side on, stop a finger past. Repeat at each corner.

Tip Go the same way round each time, like the hands of a clock.

Step 3: Four long lines

From the top tail's end, draw a long line down beside the right side. Stop 2 fingers below the square.

Tip Do the same from the other 3 tails, turning the paper each time.

Step 4: Four outside lines

From that line's bottom end, draw a line left, under the bottom long line. Stop under the far tail's end.

Tip Do the same at the other 3 loose ends, turning the paper each time.

Step 5: Close the corners

At each corner, draw a short slanted line from the loose outside end, stopping at the tip beside it.

Tip Now the outside is one big shape with 4 slanted corners.

Step 6: Floor and shadow

Draw a flat oval shadow round the bottom of the square, and a floor line out from each end.

Tip The square stands on the floor: its bottom edge runs along the middle of the shadow.

Step 7: Yellow bar

Colour yellow the bent bar that runs along the top and down the left of the hole.

Tip Each bar is one long bent shape between the lines. It stops where a line cuts across it.

Step 8: Orange bar

Colour orange the bar that runs down the right side and along the top of the hole.

Step 9: Red bar, grey shadow

Colour red the bar along the bottom and up the right of the hole. Colour the shadow grey.

Step 10: Blue bar

Colour the last bar blue. Look: each bar goes over AND under the next one. Impossible!