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how to draw a tsunami

How to draw a tsunami - a free tsunami drawing guide

Draw a tsunami scene using pencil, ink, and watercolor to show waves, motion, and perspective. Practice shading, texture, and scale while observing photo references.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to draw a tsunami scene

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🌊 How To Draw a Simple Tsunami | Step-by-Step Lesson ✏️

What you need

Pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, waterproof ink pen or waterproof ink and a fine brush, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, watercolor paper or heavy paper, cup of water, paper towel, photo reference(s) (print or magazine), adult supervision required

Step 1

Choose a clean flat workspace where you can sit comfortably and keep your paper dry.

Step 2

Lay out your materials so everything is easy to reach before you start.

Step 3

Pick one photo reference of a big wave or tsunami to study closely.

Step 4

Look at your photo for one minute and notice the big shapes of the waves the direction of motion and how small objects show scale.

Step 5

Lightly draw the horizon line across your paper with pencil to set the scene.

Step 6

Sketch the large foreground wave shape and the smaller background waves to create perspective.

Step 7

Draw a tiny boat or building to show how huge the wave is and to practice scale.

Step 8

Add foam shapes and motion lines with light pencil strokes to show the wave moving.

Step 9

Shade the shadowed areas of the waves with your pencil to add volume and texture.

Step 10

Carefully ink the main contours and foam details with your waterproof ink so the lines stay when you paint.

Step 11

Wait until the ink is completely dry before you touch the paper.

Step 12

Gently erase any stray pencil lines you don’t want to keep.

Step 13

Mix watercolor tones and paint a light wash for the sky and the base color of the sea.

Step 14

Add darker watercolor layers to the waves for depth and use a quick dry-brush or small splatters for spray and highlights.

Step 15

Sign your artwork and share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

I don't have waterproof ink—what can I use instead to ink the main lines so they don't run when I paint?

Use a fine-tip permanent marker (such as a Sharpie) or a waterproof India ink substitute to carefully ink the main contours and foam details so the lines stay when you paint.

My ink smudged when I started painting—how can I avoid or fix this?

Follow the instructions to wait until the ink is completely dry before you touch the paper, and if smudging happens gently blot with a paper towel, let it dry fully, then erase stray pencil lines as needed.

How can I change the activity for younger kids or make it harder for older kids?

For younger children pre-draw the horizon line and large wave shapes for them to color and use bigger brushes, while older kids should spend the one-minute photo study adding detailed shading, texture, and use waterproof ink and quick dry-brush splatters for spray and highlights.

What are some ways to personalize or extend the tsunami drawing once it's finished?

Try mixed media like torn blue paper or sprinkling salt into wet watercolor for texture, include a tiny personalized boat or building to emphasize scale, and then sign and share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a tsunami scene

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Tsunami: Easy Step by Step Drawing Tutorial for Beginners

4 Videos

Photos of tsunami scene drawings

Facts about drawing and watercolor techniques

🌊 Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa (c. 1831) helped popularize dramatic, curling waves in art worldwide—it's over 190 years old.

🖌️ Watercolor is transparent, so artists create depth and motion by layering light washes rather than using opaque strokes.

✏️ Many artists begin with tiny thumbnail sketches (sometimes as small as a postage stamp) to test composition and the flow of motion.

📐 Using one-point or two-point perspective makes huge waves feel towering by shrinking buildings and people on the shore.

⚡ Tsunami waves can travel at jet-like speeds in the open ocean—over 500 km/h (about 310 mph)—even if they're short until they hit shallow water.

How do I guide my child to draw a tsunami scene using pencil, ink, and watercolor?

Start with photo references and a light pencil thumbnail to plan horizon, focal point, and scale. Sketch large wave shapes using curved, overlapping lines showing crest and trough. Add perspective lines toward the horizon and block in values with soft pencil (HB–2B). Ink over important contours and textures—use varied line weight and stippling for spray. Wait for ink to dry, then apply translucent watercolor washes from light to dark, lifting highlights with a brush or masking fluid. Finish with

What materials do I need to draw a tsunami with pencil, ink, and watercolor?

You’ll need graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), a kneaded eraser and vinyl eraser, pencil sharpener, waterproof ink pens (fine liners and a brush pen) and optional India ink, watercolor paints (tubes or pans), round brushes (small, medium, large), 300gsm watercolor paper, palette, jars for water, masking fluid, paper towels, photo references of waves, scrap paper for testing, and optional white gouache or gel pen for highlights.

What ages is this tsunami drawing activity suitable for?

This mixed‑media activity fits ages 8+ for full techniques like perspective, inking, and watercolor layering. Younger children (5–7) can try simplified versions with pre‑drawn wave shapes, crayons, or water‑based markers and close adult help with wet media. Teens can explore observational detail and mixed media independently. Adjust complexity, session length, and supervision to each child’s skill and emotional comfort; discuss topic sensitively if ocean disasters feel upsetting.

What are the benefits of practicing tsunami drawing with pencil, ink, and watercolor?

Drawing a tsunami scene strengthens observational skills, perspective awareness, value control, and texture techniques. It teaches layering—pencil for structure, ink for contrast, watercolor for atmosphere—while improving fine motor control, patience, and creative problem solving. Working from photo references builds visual literacy and research habits. It also offers a gentle way to discuss ocean science and safety age‑appropriately, helping children learn rather than fear natural events.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a tsunami

How to draw a tsunami - a free tsunami drawing guide

Draw a tsunami scene using pencil, ink, and watercolor to show waves, motion, and perspective. Practice shading, texture, and scale while observing photo references.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to draw a tsunami scene

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

🌊 How To Draw a Simple Tsunami | Step-by-Step Lesson ✏️

What you need

Step 1

Choose a clean flat workspace where you can sit comfortably and keep your paper dry.

Step 2

Lay out your materials so everything is easy to reach before you start.

Step 3

Pick one photo reference of a big wave or tsunami to study closely.

Step 4

Look at your photo for one minute and notice the big shapes of the waves the direction of motion and how small objects show scale.

Step 5

Lightly draw the horizon line across your paper with pencil to set the scene.

Step 6

Sketch the large foreground wave shape and the smaller background waves to create perspective.

Step 7

Draw a tiny boat or building to show how huge the wave is and to practice scale.

Step 8

Add foam shapes and motion lines with light pencil strokes to show the wave moving.

Step 9

Shade the shadowed areas of the waves with your pencil to add volume and texture.

Step 10

Carefully ink the main contours and foam details with your waterproof ink so the lines stay when you paint.

Step 11

Wait until the ink is completely dry before you touch the paper.

Step 12

Gently erase any stray pencil lines you don’t want to keep.

Step 13

Mix watercolor tones and paint a light wash for the sky and the base color of the sea.

Step 14

Add darker watercolor layers to the waves for depth and use a quick dry-brush or small splatters for spray and highlights.

Step 15

Sign your artwork and share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

I don't have waterproof ink—what can I use instead to ink the main lines so they don't run when I paint?

Use a fine-tip permanent marker (such as a Sharpie) or a waterproof India ink substitute to carefully ink the main contours and foam details so the lines stay when you paint.

My ink smudged when I started painting—how can I avoid or fix this?

How can I change the activity for younger kids or make it harder for older kids?

What are some ways to personalize or extend the tsunami drawing once it's finished?

Watch videos on how to draw a tsunami scene

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Tsunami: Easy Step by Step Drawing Tutorial for Beginners

4 Videos

Photos of tsunami scene drawings

Facts about drawing and watercolor techniques

🌊 Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa (c. 1831) helped popularize dramatic, curling waves in art worldwide—it's over 190 years old.

🖌️ Watercolor is transparent, so artists create depth and motion by layering light washes rather than using opaque strokes.

✏️ Many artists begin with tiny thumbnail sketches (sometimes as small as a postage stamp) to test composition and the flow of motion.

📐 Using one-point or two-point perspective makes huge waves feel towering by shrinking buildings and people on the shore.

⚡ Tsunami waves can travel at jet-like speeds in the open ocean—over 500 km/h (about 310 mph)—even if they're short until they hit shallow water.