Easy Way to Draw Lightning with Charcoal

Lightning is a mesmerizing display of nature’s untamed beauty. It is a fleeting yet unforgettable spectacle that fills the onlookers with awe and thrill. Though it lasts only a few seconds, its impact lingers, leaving a lasting impression in the mind.

Nature sets the stage for this breathtaking performance with a few elements. As the atmosphere darkens and a cold wind sweeps in, a brilliant, jagged streak of light dances across the skies, as though the sky itself has been split open. The thunder that follows is a mighty roar that amplifies the spectacle. This dazzling show of the nature’s power is one that only the natural world can create with such breathtaking intensity.

The lightning sky is an intriguing subject for an artist to recreate. Charcoal will make a great medium in this case as it can create striking contrasts and effects.

Which sketchbook is good for charcoal?

The Menorah Mixed Media Sketchbooks are an excellent choice for charcoal drawings. With durable 180 GSM pages, it can easily handle various charcoal techniques and tools. The paper's fine-toothed texture offers the perfect grip for detailed work and allows smooth shading and effortless blending. Additionally, this sketchbook handles wet mediums like acrylics, gouache, watercolours, tempera, and poster colours equally well. Being acid-free, the paper ensures that your artwork remains vibrant and intact for a long time.

Here are the steps to recreate this easy charcoal painting by @sm_artdassin:

Materials required

Menorah Mixed Media Sketchbook

Charcoal Powder

Round Brush

Kneadable eraser

White colour Pencil

Blending Stump

Electric Eraser

White gel pen

Use a round brush to apply charcoal powder across the mixed media sketchbook and create a base layer for your drawing.

Lighten the areas where the lightning will appear by gently tapping with a kneadable eraser. This will lift off some of the charcoal powder from the 180 GSM Paper, creating contrast against the dark sky without leaving residue.

Use a white pencil to highlight the lighter areas of the charcoal painting, adding contrast to the lightning strokes.

 Use a blending stump to smooth the areas around the lightning. The texture of the 180 GSM Paper Sketchbook  makes the blending process quick and easy.

 Use an Electric eraser to create the intricate lines of the lightning. Menorah’s 180 GSM Sketchbook surface will allow the electric eraser to glide smoothly and thereby remove the charcoal powder from fine, precise areas.

 Finally, highlight with a white gel pen to enhance the definition of your drawing.

Menorah Sketchbooks are a versatile tool that you can confidently use in your artistic journey to explore different mediums, techniques and transform your innovative ideas into lasting creations.