How to Draw an Atom (Easy Step by Step)
An atom drawing looks fancy, but it is just ovals, loops and circles. You start with one wide oval, add loops above and below it, connect them with crossing lines, and finish with a little cluster of four circles in the middle. It is a great way to practice drawing smooth curved lines.
- Medium
- 12 minutes
- 6 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw an atom step by step
How to Draw an Atom · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The wide oval
Draw a big, wide oval lying on its side, like a long flat egg. Make it fill the middle of your page from left to right.
Step 2: The top loops
Above the wide oval, draw two tall curved loops side by side that cross each other in an X near the top. Let the bottom ends of the loops touch the top edge of the oval.
Step 3: The bottom loops
Now do the same below the wide oval. Draw two curved loops that swing down and cross in an X, so they mirror the top loops and touch the bottom edge of the oval.
Step 4: The left crossing lines
On the left side, draw two slanted lines that cross in an X inside the wide oval. Start each line at the top edge of the oval and end it at the bottom edge, so they join the top loops to the bottom loops.
Step 5: The right crossing lines
Do the same on the right side. Draw two slanted lines that cross in an X inside the oval, running from the top edge to the bottom edge.
Step 6: The nucleus
In the middle, draw four small circles in a square, two on top and two below. Each circle is a little ring with an empty middle.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your atom? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a school bus or how to draw a backpack next.
Tips for drawing an atom
- Draw the wide oval first and take your time. Every other line connects to it, so a nice big shape makes the rest easier.
- The crossing spots are the trickiest part. Lightly mark where the loops meet the oval before you draw, so the left and right sides line up.
- For the nucleus, draw four circles of the same size in a square. Try tracing a small coin or bottle cap if your circles wobble.
Free atom coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this atom 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 atom drawing
Try a different color for each of the three orbits, such as blue, red and green, and make the four small circles bright yellow or orange.
Atom fun fact for kids
Everything around you, from your shoes to the air, is made of atoms. They are so tiny that millions of them could line up across the width of a single human hair.
Questions about drawing an atom
What shapes do I need to draw an atom?
You only need ovals, curved loops and circles. One wide oval, loops above and below, two sets of crossing lines, and four small circles make the whole drawing.
How do I make my atom look neater?
Draw lightly in pencil first, then trace over your best lines. Keep the loops about the same size on the top and bottom so the atom looks balanced.
How do I make the crossing lines look right?
Start each slanted line at the top edge of the oval and end it at the bottom edge. Cross the two lines in the middle so they make an X.
