How To Draw A Lightning Bolt

Today we’re going to show you how to draw a lightning bolt with this simple step by step guide. 

Heat lightning is a common phenomenon. This is when the lightning strikes from the cloud to the ground but is so far away that you can’t hear the thunder.

And during the rainy season, when the skies grow dark and you see heat lightning, take precautions because a lightning strike sometimes comes out of nowhere..

So we will enjoy the safety of being indoors and instead learn how to draw lightning. Let’s start, shall we?

Materials For How to Draw A Lightning Bolt

• Piece of paper
• Pencil
• Pencil sharpener
• Eraser

Optional Materials

• Black pen
• Markers
• Colored pencils

By the way, for some other fun drawing tutorials, check out how to draw a half moon and a key.

Step-By-Step Guide For How To Draw A Lightning Bolt

Step 1. Create The Top Part Of The Lightning Bolt

The lightning bolt will be a series of straight lines on angles. 

And since the direction of your lightning bolt leans to the right, draw two parallel lines on a slight angle, slanted to the right.

Also, make the line on the right side longer than the left side.

Step 2. Draw A Zigzag Line

Now to make the form a zigzag, you’ll fill in the horizontal lines. Draw the first horizontal line at the top of the lightning bolt, between parallel lines.

Then draw two more horizontal lines at the bottom. One line goes across the short line and extends past it.

The other line starts at the longer vertical line and is just a little shorter than the one above it.

This assures your bolt will keep having the same angles.

Step 3. Form the Second Stage Of The Bolt

Draw two parallel lines on the opposite side of the lightning bolt, just like you did in the previous step. Again make the right side longer than the left.

Also, the difference in length between these lines isn’t as much as the first two vertical parallel lines you drew. These are a bit closer together.

Step 4. Draw The Next Zig Zag Of The Lightning

Now draw the two horizontal lines, again make these more extended than the width of the vertical parallel lines.

As a result, the bottom line should be slightly shorter than the top line.

Step 5. Draw The Lightning’s Bolt

For the next step, you will work on creating the sharp pointed edge to the bolt of lightning.

First, draw a diagonal line that starts from the top of the horizontal line on the left.

Then draw another only slightly angled line that meets that line at the bottom point.

Step 6. Add The Flash Of The Lightning

Now that you have the lightning bolt outline, you will draw a zigzag line inside to make the blinding flash.

Next, draw a line that follows the shape of the side of the lightning bolt on the right. You will start this line near the top and just in a bit.

Then, as you make your way toward the bottom of the point, taper the line in so it meets the side.

Step 7. Color The Lightning Bolt

Now you can color your bolt in different colors. Grab your favorite coloring materials and fill in the bolt’s outline.

Add a white lightning streak to the flash inside, or go for it with fun lightning colors.

Don’t forget to Pin it for later!