How to Draw a Tornado (Easy Step by Step)
This tornado is a cute swirly funnel with a smiling face under a fluffy storm cloud. It is built from simple shapes: a bumpy cloud, a cone that gets narrower, wavy lines, and two dots and a curve for the face. Each part is easy to draw alone, so it comes together quickly.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a tornado step by step
How to Draw a Tornado · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The storm cloud
Start at the top with a puffy cloud. Draw a row of round bumps along the top, then close it with a long, gently curved line across the bottom.
Step 3: The funnel sides
Under the cloud, draw two curved lines that start at the bottom edge of the cloud and slope toward each other. Let them come together in a bendy tail at the bottom with a little curl at the end.
Step 4: The top swirl bands
Draw two wavy lines straight across the funnel, one near the top and one in the middle. Each one connects the left side to the right side.
Step 5: The happy face
Between the two wavy lines, add two small round dots for eyes. Then draw a small smile that curves like a bowl under them.
Step 6: Lower swirl bands
Add three more wavy lines across the lower funnel. Make each one a little shorter than the one above, because the funnel gets narrower.
Step 7: Ring and triangle
Draw a small ring floating on the left side of the funnel. Then draw a tiny triangle floating on the right side. These are bits of stuff the wind picked up.
Step 8: More flying bits
On the right, draw a short curved line and a small rounded rectangle below it. Then add one little arch on the left to show the wind blowing.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your tornado? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a lightning bolt or how to draw bamboo next.
Tips for drawing a tornado
- Draw the cloud's bumps one at a time, making each one a little round hill. They do not need to match, because real clouds are lumpy.
- Make the two funnel sides lean toward each other like a letter V, then add the wavy bands. The bands should curve a little instead of being straight lines.
- Draw the face after the first two bands so it sits in the open space between them. Keep the eyes the same size and put the smile right in the middle.
- Keep the floating bits small and spread them out, so they look like things the wind is carrying.
Free tornado coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this tornado coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your tornado drawing
Try soft grays and blues for the cloud and funnel, with a pale yellow glow on the bands. For a creative twist, color each floating bit a different bright color so the tornado looks like it is carrying a party.
Tornado fun fact for kids
The United States has more tornadoes than any other country, with about 1,200 reported in a typical year. Scientists rate them on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which goes from EF0 for the weakest up to EF5 for the strongest.
Questions about drawing a tornado
What shapes do I need to draw a tornado?
You need a bumpy cloud shape, a cone or upside-down triangle for the funnel, and a few wavy lines. Two dots and a small curve make the face. A ring, a triangle and a rectangle make the flying bits.
How do I make my tornado look cuter?
Give it a small, happy smile and round dot eyes. Add little floating shapes like a ring and a triangle beside it so it looks playful instead of scary.
How do I make the tornado look like it is spinning?
Draw the bands as wavy curves that go across the funnel at a slight tilt. Finish the bottom tip with a small curl to show the swirl.
