Part 1
Drawing a tornado can be a daunting and complex task, especially if you’ve never tried it before. But don’t be overwhelmed, drawing a tornado is actually a whole lot easier than you thought. Let’s break the process down and look at how to draw a tornado step by step.
Begin by lightly sketching the outline of your tornado. No need to go into too much detail here, as this is just to give you a rough outline of your tornado. Keep it larger and wider than you think it needs to be; you can always erase extra lines later on.
Next, it’s time to start filling in the details. Start by drawing shapes that comprise of curved or jagged lines. The shapes can be of any size or height but the key is to create areas that stand out and create a consistent pattern. The pattern will create the tornado effect.
Once you have the pattern figured out, it’s time to color the tornado. It’s best to use lighter colors like yellow or grey that have strong contrast between shades. This will give the tornado that “swirling” feeling. You can also use darker colors like black or navy to create the shadows and the eye of the storm.
You’ve now got a basic foundation of your tornado. Next we need to add finishing touches like lightning and clouds. To do this, draw out a few jagged lines scattered throughout the tornado and use darker colors to make them stand out. In the eye of the storm, use lighter colors to create a circle and add more jagged lines to create an effect of a storm brewing.
Part 2
Now that you’ve got your basic foundation for the tornado, it’s time to make the masterpiece shine.
Start by adding shading and highlights. You can do this by using a pencil or drawing paper and using the side of the lead to create subtle shading. It’s important to make sure the shading is consistent throughout. Shading creates the illusion of depth, which really brings your tornado to life.
Next, add clouds to your tornado. Using light color pencils draw wispy shapes around the tornado. This will create the effect of wind blowing around the tornado. Try to keep the clouds fluffy looking, adding whither’s of white in between them.
We can now add some more dynamic effects such as lightning. To do this, draw jagged lines around the tornado like you did with the clouds. The key with this is to make sure the lines cross and intersect in random places. This will create the effect of electricity.
The last step is to add a background. You want to create a setting that reinforces the strength of your tornado. To do this, draw a skyline with buildings and trees in the distance. Then, add a stormy-looking sky. Use shades of grey and purple to make the sky look menacing and add lightning cracks to make it look like an intense storm.
Part 3
Now that you have your basics of your tornado drawing down, we need to move onto the more complex parts.
The eye of the storm can be one of the most challenging parts to master. But that’s ok, all you need to do is draw a circle at the top centre of the tornado. Then, draw tight zigzag lines that follow the circle, continuing them a few centimetres outwards. To create the effect of a vortex, create wavy lines that curl offwards from the eye. At the edges of the wavy lines use a softer lead pencil to make it more subtle.
You can also add several different elements to help bring your tornado to life. For instance, you can add birds flying around the tornado, twigs and trees flying in the air, and you can even add people and cars. Just keep in mind that the more elements you add, the more detailed your drawing will be and the more impressive it will look.
Finally, add haze and splotches around the tornado to give it a photorealistic feel. Do this by using a combination of white and light grey on the sides of the tornado to make it look like it’s fading away. The haze and splotches should be subtle, so don’t go overboard with them.
Part 4
Drawing a tornado can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you get the hang of the basic basics like outlining and filling in the details, you’ll be able to create the perfect tornado in no time.
Before you start, take a look at some examples and get inspired. Then use those as a reference while you’re drawing. This will help you create the exact look you want and give you tips on how to make it look stunning.
The details are what make a tornado look realistic, so pay attention to the small things. Spend extra time on areas like the eye of the storm or the clouds that surround the tornado. This will help your drawing stand out and give it a more professional look.
Most importantly, have fun! Drawing a tornado can be a really satisfying and enjoyable experience. If you get stuck, take a break and come back to it later. And if the result isn’t exactly what you want, keep going. A masterpiece takes time and effort.
Part 5
Now that you know how to draw a tornado, experiment and have fun with your creation.
Start by trying different color combinations. Go for a bright yellow or a more somber grey. Change up your tools and try a white charcoal pencil or a darker lead pencil. And don’t forget, you can always add more elements to your drawing.
Bring your tornado up to date with current events. Add news clippings to its background or add in an iPad or laptop to make it look like someone is stranded in the eye of the storm. Have an apocalypse situation going on with buildings getting swept away by the tornado.
Another fun way to make your tornado stand out is to add a unique element to it that’s not typically seen in tornados. Make the tornado rainbow-colored or add a sparkly shimmery effect to it. Or add in a mythical creature like a dragon in the middle of the tornado.
Finally, try making it into a moving animation. This can be a great way to make your tornado look realistic and can bring it to life with motion. All you need is a animation software and you’re set!
There are so many ways you can draw a tornado. So get creative with it and have fun!
