Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw Northern Lights

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Have you ever gazed at the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights and wished you could capture that magic on paper? Well, you're in luck! This guide will walk you through the process of drawing Northern Lights, step by step. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, this guide will make the process of drawing Northern Lights accessible and enjoyable. So, let's dive in!

1. Gather Your Materials

Before we start our Northern Lights drawing journey, let's make sure we have all the necessary tools at hand. Here's what you'll need:

Sketchbook and Pencils

The first thing you'll need is a good quality sketchbook. Opt for a sketchbook with thick, smooth pages that can hold up to the pressure of drawing and the application of color. For pencils, a standard HB pencil will do for the initial sketch. It's versatile and erases easily, making it perfect for drawing outlines.

Colored Pencils

Next up, colored pencils. These are what bring our Northern Lights drawing to life. Choose a set with a broad range of colors. Pay special attention to greens, blues, purples, and pinks — these are the most common colors in Northern Lights. Brands like Prismacolor or Faber-Castell offer great quality and a wide array of colors.

Eraser and Sharpener

Don't forget to have a good eraser and a pencil sharpener handy. An eraser is essential for correcting any mistakes or smudges, and a sharpener will keep your pencils at the optimal point for precision in your drawing.

Now that you have all your materials ready, let's move on to preparing our sketchbook for our Northern Lights drawing masterpiece!

2. Prepare Your Sketchbook

Preparing your sketchbook properly can make a huge difference in your drawing experience. It's like laying the foundation for a building - put in the effort at the start, and you'll reap the rewards later. So, here's how to set things up:

Clean Your Page

Start with a clean page in your sketchbook. Make sure there are no smudges or marks that could potentially interfere with your drawing. If you're using a used sketchbook, you might want to use an eraser to clean any stray pencil marks. This will give you a clean, fresh canvas for your Northern Lights drawing.

Set The Mood

Now, let's set the mood of our drawing. Northern Lights usually appear in a dark, night-time setting. To create this effect, you can lightly shade the entire page with a soft graphite pencil (6B should do the trick). This creates a dark backdrop against which the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights will pop. Remember, the key word here is 'lightly' - we don't want to overshadow the main event, which is drawing Northern Lights.

With the stage set, we're ready to dive into the fun part - sketching the outline of our Northern Lights drawing!

3. Sketch the Basics

Sketching the basics involves outlining the scenery and the Northern Lights themselves. It's like drawing a roadmap that guides you on your journey of drawing Northern Lights. So, let's take the first step on that journey:

Outline the Scenery

Every good drawing starts with a good outline. Since Northern Lights often appear over a landscape, let's start by sketching a simple horizon line. Perhaps you'd like to include some characteristic features of the Arctic landscape, like tall, slender pine trees or a tranquil lake reflecting the night sky. Remember, these are just the supporting actors—your main focus is drawing Northern Lights. So keep the scenery simple and not too detailed.

Draw The Northern Lights

Now comes the exciting part—drawing the Northern Lights! The Northern Lights aren't a solid object, but rather a dance of light across the sky. You might want to depict them as curving lines, swirling spirals, or flowing waves. Don't worry about getting it perfect. The beauty of drawing Northern Lights lies in their abstract and unpredictable nature. Just let your pencil dance across the page to mimic the ethereal, flowing movements of the Northern Lights in the sky.

With the basic sketch complete, we've laid the groundwork. Next, we'll bring our drawing to life by adding color.

4. Add Color

Adding color to your drawing is like adding spices to a dish—it brings out the flavor and adds depth. Now that our basic sketch is ready, we're going to add some vibrant hues to our drawing of the Northern Lights.

Color the Scenery

First, let's start with the scenery. The landscape under the Northern Lights is usually in subdued shades because it's night time, after all. Use dark blues and blacks for the sky, keeping it lighter at the horizon. For the trees or mountains, use shades of gray or brown. If you've included a lake, mirror the sky colors in the water, adding some darker tones for contrast. This will create a nice contrast with the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights.

Color The Northern Lights

Now, let's color the star of our drawing—the Northern Lights. They are known for their vibrant greens, purples, blues, and sometimes even reds and yellows. Choose your brightest colored pencils for this part. Start light, then layer on more color for intensity. Remember to blend the colors well to replicate the smooth, flowing appearance of the Lights. There's no one way to do it—it's your interpretation of the scene, so feel free to experiment.

With our colors in place, our drawing is starting to come alive. But we're not done yet. In the next step, we'll give our drawing that final touch of realism.

5. Finishing Touches

It's time to put on the final touches to our Northern Lights drawing. These finishing touches will add depth and realism to our work, giving it that polished, professional look.

Add Shading and Texture

Shading and texture can make all the difference in your drawing. For the sky, add some gentle shading along the horizon to give it depth. On the landscape, add textures to simulate the roughness of the terrain or the smooth reflection of a lake. As for the Northern Lights, vary the pressure on your pencil to create a sense of movement and fluidity. This will give your drawing a more realistic and three-dimensional feel.

Highlight the Brightest Parts

One of the remarkable features of the Northern Lights is their brightness against the night sky. To capture this, use a white pencil or a light-colored pencil to highlight the brightest parts of the lights. This will make them pop out and give your drawing a vivid look.

Sign and Date Your Work

Last but not least, don't forget to sign and date your work. It's a testament to your effort and creativity, and it's always nice to look back and see how your skills have evolved over time. Besides, who knows? Your drawing of the Northern Lights might just become a masterpiece worth framing!

And there you have it—a step-by-step guide to drawing the Northern Lights. Remember, every artist has their own style, so don't be afraid to put your personal touch to it. Happy drawing!

If you're fascinated by the beauty of the Northern Lights and want to learn more about capturing them through photography, check out the workshop 'Travel Photography: Chasing the Northern Lights' by David Rocaberti. This workshop will teach you the ins and outs of photographing the mesmerizing auroras, helping you to create stunning images that you can be proud of.