How to Draw an Impossible Triangle

Step 1: A small triangle

Just below the middle of your paper, draw a small triangle with 3 equal sides, point up.

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

Step 2: Three little tails

Start at the top corner. Carry the left side on, stopping a finger past. Do the same at each corner.

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

Step 3: Three long lines

From the bottom left tail, draw a long line up beside the left side, stopping past the top corner.

Tip Do the same from the other 2 tails: one beside the right side, one under the bottom.

Step 4: Three outside lines

From the bottom line's left end, draw a line up outside the left long line, as high as its top.

Tip Do the same at the other 2 loose ends: one outside the right long line, one under the bottom.

Step 5: Close the corners

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

Tip Now the outside is one big shape with flat corners.

Step 6: Sparkles on the left

On the left of the triangle, draw 2 small sparkle stars, one higher and one lower.

Step 7: Sparkles on the right

Draw 2 more small sparkle stars on the right to match.

Step 8: Floor and shadow

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

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

Step 9: Yellow and sky blue

Colour the sparkles yellow and the left bar sky blue. The bar stops where a line cuts across it.

Tip Each bar is the long bent shape between the lines.

Step 10: Blue bar, grey shadow

Colour the bottom bar blue and the shadow under the triangle grey.

Step 11: Navy bar

Colour the right bar navy. Look: each bar goes over AND under the next one. Impossible!