How to Draw a Comet: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to blast off into space art? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to create your own icy traveler. Follow these steps to build confidence and improve your hand-eye coordination while drawing a cosmic wonder.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished cartoon comet drawing with a bright tail and surrounding stars.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Icy Nucleus

Pencil sketch of an elongated, irregular circle representing the nucleus of a comet.

Draw a slightly elongated circle to represent the comet's icy core. Tip: It doesn't need to be perfect; comets are irregular rocks, so a slightly lumpy shape looks more natural.

Step 2: Adding Surface Texture

Adding small, irregular crater-like shapes to the interior of the comet nucleus.

Add a few small, irregular shapes inside the nucleus. Tip: Keep these shapes varied in size to give your comet a rugged, rocky appearance.

Step 3: Creating the Coma

Drawing a curved line around the front of the comet to represent the coma halo.

Draw a curved line around the front of the nucleus to form the coma—the glowing halo of gas and dust. Tip: Use short, jagged strokes on the leading edge to show the comet's movement through space.

Step 4: Starting the Tail

Drawing the initial curved lines of the comet's tail extending from the coma.

Extend a series of curved lines from the coma to begin the tail. Tip: Make these lines meet at sharp, jagged points to mimic the look of streaming dust.

Step 5: Extending the Tail

Adding more curved, pointed lines to the opposite side of the comet's tail.

Continue adding curved lines from the other side of the coma, ensuring they also end in sharp, pointed tips. Tip: Vary the length of your lines to make the tail look dynamic.

Step 6: Closing the Tail

Connecting the lines to complete the outline of the comet's tail.

Connect the lines on both sides of the tail to fully enclose the shape. Tip: Ensure the tail tapers off as it gets further away from the nucleus.

Step 7: Refining the Shape

Adding refined curved lines to the trailing edge of the comet to add depth.

Add detail to the trailing edge of the nucleus and refine the tail with long, double-pointed curved shapes. Tip: This adds depth and makes the comet look like it's moving fast.

Step 8: Adding Internal Detail

Adding flame-like detail lines inside the comet's tail.

Draw additional curved lines inside the tail that meet at jagged points, similar to flickering flames. Tip: Don't worry about symmetry; comets are chaotic, natural objects!

Step 9: Setting the Scene

Drawing eight-pointed stars of different sizes around the comet to complete the scene.

Draw eight-pointed stars of various sizes around your comet to create a night sky effect. Tip: Use a ruler if you want your stars to look perfectly crisp.

Step 10: Adding Color

Final colored comet drawing with vibrant orange and yellow tail against a dark background.

Bring your comet to life with color! Use blues and whites for a realistic look, or fiery yellows, oranges, and reds for a dramatic, cartoon-style meteor effect.