How to Draw a Lightning Bolt (Easy Step by Step)
A lightning bolt is just a zigzag, which makes it a great first drawing for beginners. This one hangs under a smiling storm cloud, so you also get to practice round bumps, straight slanting lines and little teardrops. Once you know these three shapes, you can draw a whole stormy sky.
- Easy
- 10 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 lightning bolt step by step
How to Draw a Lightning Bolt · 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 cloud body
Draw a long, flat line across the middle of the page for the bottom of the cloud. At each end, curve the line up into a rounded puff, like two soft hills.
Step 3: Top cloud puffs
Between the two side puffs, draw two round bumps on top of the cloud, one bigger and one smaller. Start where the side puffs dip in, and curve up and over like rainbows.
Step 4: A happy face
Draw two small round dots for eyes in the middle of the cloud, with space between them. Between and below the dots, draw a little curved smile like a tiny bowl.
Step 5: The big lightning bolt
Under the middle of the cloud, start two slanting lines from the bottom line, a little apart. Give each line a sideways zigzag step, then bring them together in one sharp point at the bottom.
Step 6: The left small bolt
On the left side under the cloud, draw a smaller zigzag bolt with two slanted lines hanging from the cloud. Give it one step in the middle and join the lines at a point at the bottom.
Step 7: The right small bolt
Draw another small bolt on the right under the cloud, just like the left one. Start with two slanting lines, add a zigzag step, and finish with a point.
Step 8: Falling raindrops
Scatter four raindrops around the bolts. Draw each one like a little teardrop with a pointy top and a round bottom, then add a smaller drop shape inside.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your lightning bolt? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw bamboo or how to draw a vase of flowers next.
Tips for drawing a lightning bolt
- For the zigzag, draw one slanting line, then a short sideways line, then another slanting line. Take it one turn at a time and the bolt will stay sharp.
- Start the big bolt first and make it the largest. Then the two small bolts can be the same size as each other, one on each side.
- Keep the cloud bumps different sizes. Make the top ones a little taller than the sides so the cloud looks fluffy and not flat.
Free lightning bolt coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this lightning bolt 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 lightning bolt drawing
Color the big bolt bright yellow, the cloud light gray or soft blue, and the raindrops blue. For a creative twist, make a rainbow storm with a different color on each bolt, or give the cloud rosy cheeks.
Lightning bolt fun fact for kids
A bolt of lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun, but it lasts for only a tiny fraction of a second. Thunder is the sound the hot air makes as it rushes outward, which is why you see the flash first and hear the boom after.
Questions about drawing a lightning bolt
What shapes do I need to draw a lightning bolt?
You only need straight slanting lines and a sideways step to make the zigzag. This drawing also uses round bumps for the cloud and teardrop shapes for the rain.
How do I make my lightning bolt look sharper?
Make the bottom end a clear point by bringing the two lines together tightly. Keep the zigzag steps short and the lines straight, not curved.
How do I make my storm cloud look cuter?
Give it a smile and two round dot eyes, like this one has. Keep the dots far apart and the smile small and low for a friendly look.
