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Lightning Bolt

95 drawings by Artbitrator players — showing top 24

Getting a lightning bolt right is trickier than it looks. You'd think it's just a big zigzag, but there's more to it—the angles matter, the proportions need balance, and that sharp point at the bottom needs to really zing. The good news? Once you know how to draw a lightning bolt, you can knock one out in a couple of minutes. We've got 58 real lightning bolt drawings from Artbitrator players on this page, so you can see how different folks tackled the same challenge.

These aren't polished illustrations—they're quick sketches done under pressure while an AI guesses in real time. That makes them brilliant for learning, actually. You get to see the messy bits, the different approaches, the wobbly lines and the confident ones. Click any lightning bolt drawing to watch the whole thing unfold stroke by stroke, which is ridiculously helpful when you're trying to figure out where to start your own.

Drawings

Avg Strokes

673 strokes

Avg Time

53s

Fastest

How to Draw Lightning Bolt

Simple steps to draw lightning bolt, based on what works in the examples above.

1 Start with a long diagonal guideline running from top to bottom, angled however you like. This gives your bolt direction and keeps you from running out of space halfway down the page.
2 Draw a zigzag line down one side. Keep the angles sharp and irregular—real lightning doesn't zig and zag at perfect intervals because it's following the path of least resistance through the air, not a ruler.
3 Add a second zigzag on the other side, making sure they meet at a sharp point at the bottom. The bolt should get narrower as it drops, like a wonky, electrified carrot.
4 Connect the two sides at the top with a short line or a slight angle. Most simple lightning bolt drawings are widest up here and taper down, which just looks right.
5 If you want to practice and see your bolt come to life in real time, draw a lightning bolt in Artbitrator—the AI judge will start guessing as soon as it recognises the shape, and you can replay your drawing afterward to see exactly how you built it.

Tip: Don't make your zigzags too symmetrical—lightning looks best when it's a bit chaotic and the segments are different lengths.

Practice Drawing Lightning Bolt

Drawing Tips

Make the bottom point really sharp. A blunt tip just looks like a weird arrow, but a proper spike gives it that electric energy.
Keep your angles acute, not gentle curves. Lightning is all straight lines meeting at harsh angles—soft bends kill the effect.
If you're adding colour, bright yellow or white against a dark background makes it pop. Orange shading on one edge can give it a nice 3D look without much faff.

Lightning Bolt Drawing FAQ

How do you draw a lightning bolt?

Draw two zigzag lines that taper to a sharp point at the bottom and connect at the top. Start with a guideline so you know where it's heading, then add jagged angles on both sides. The key is keeping the lines angular and uneven, not smooth or symmetrical.

Is a lightning bolt hard to draw?

Not really. A basic lightning bolt is just connected diagonal lines, so it's actually one of the easier iconic shapes to sketch. The only bit that trips people up is making it look dynamic instead of stiff—vary your segment lengths and keep those angles sharp.

What's the best way to practise drawing lightning bolts?

Draw them fast and often, and try different proportions each time. Artbitrator is great for this because the AI reacts as you draw, so you get instant feedback on whether your lightning bolt reads clearly. You can also watch replays of the 58 drawings on this page to see how other people approached it.