How to Draw a Lightning Bolt
In this drawing lesson, you will learn how to create a lightning bolt ( a very simple lightning bolt for beginners ). This lesson will take about 20 minutes to complete. You will start by outlining the main parts, focusing on the cloud and the lightning bolt itself.
You’ll use simple shapes to build your drawing step by step. By the end of the lesson, you’ll have a clear picture of how to represent these elements in your artwork. Remember, you can choose your own colors to make your drawing personalized.
This lesson emphasizes understanding how to depict natural phenomena in landscapes. As you practice, you’ll gain skills that can help you in future drawings too. Enjoy the process of learning and creating!
Materials
- Blank Paper
- Pencil
- Crayons or Colored Pencils
- Black Marker (optional)
To create your lightning bolt drawing, you’ll begin with some simple lines and shapes. This is a great way to lay the groundwork for your artwork. Start by outlining a fluffy cloud at the top of your paper. Next, you’ll draw a zigzag line that shows where the lightning will come down from the cloud. This line will guide you as you shape the lightning bolt itself, giving it that sharp, pointed look.Once you have the main bolt drawn, feel free to add a smaller zigzag bolt branching off from it. You can even include a few thinner bolts to make your scene more exciting! When you’re happy with your drawing, it’s time to think about coloring. If you like bold outlines, consider using a thin black marker to trace over your pencil lines for a striking effect.This lesson has six steps that will help you create an awesome lightning bolt in just about twenty minutes. Before you get started, notice the color contrast between the lightning bolt and the rest of the sky. Without this color contrast your drawing will lack the energy that lighting depicts in a scene.
Time Needed: 30 minutes
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Draw a Cloud
First, create a bumpy outline of a cloud at the top of the drawing.
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Outline the Direction of the Lightning
Outline the direction of the lightning bolt by drawing a long vertical zigzag line coming down from the cloud.
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Form the Bolt Shape
Using the zigzag line as a guide, form the main pointed shape of the lightning bolt.
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Add a Branching Bolt
Add a shorter zigzag lightning bolt branching from the main lightning bolt.
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Create More Lightning Bolts
Draw a few more lightning bolts that are slightly thinner than the main bolt.
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Color the Lightning Bolt Drawing
First, color the cloud dark gray. Now, use off-white to shade the lightning bolts. Then, fill in the background sky with purple.
How to Draw a Lightning Bolt PDF Download
Check out the resource below! It has all the drawing steps and some extra fun stuff, like a coloring book page! You can either preview or download the PDF to keep it handy for later.