How To Draw Jupiter

Are you tired of drawing everything on Earth and want a little change? Here’s the deal: In the night sky, among the glittering stars, there’s a giant that commands attention like no other – Jupiter. This massive planet opens the door to a world of wonder, and you just need the simplest tools to capture its essence.

Creating a drawing of Jupiter may seem simple, but it’s an exciting journey that holds both basic and special characteristics.

You’ll start with its signature feature – the banded atmosphere. But as you venture further into this journey, notice the subtleties and the Great Red Spot. Pay attention to the swirling textures within the bands and the way the colors shift from creamy whites to vibrant oranges and reds.

So, whether you are drawn to Jupiter for its awe-inspiring beauty or the thrill of artistic expression, let this guide on how to draw Jupiter be your invitation.

Without further ado. Let’s explore!

How to Draw Jupiter – Step by Step

To remind you: Jupiter’s most striking feature is its banded appearance. Specifically, the planet’s atmosphere is divided into a series of alternating dark and light bands that encircle the planet parallel to its equator.

As you might see in our reference picture. We’ll draw the Jupiter with six alternating bands, three creamy and three with a red hue.

Additionally, note that Jupiter is a gas giant. Its atmosphere is full of swirling clouds and storms. In this tutorial’s first step, we’ll make these two features apparent. Let’s scroll down for a detailed guide.

Step 1: Create a Jupiter with Appealing Bands and Atmospheric Appearance

1. Begin by sketching a large circle in the center of your paper or canvas to represent Jupiter’s shape.

Now, create the outlines for three bands in red hue first. Once you’ve made it, the other bands will appear visible.

Imagine there is an equator right in the middle of the circle. Then add the first band above it by drawing two horizontal curved lines across the planet. Note that you don’t need to make the lines completely parallel.

For the second band, position it just slightly below the equator. Use curved lines to form a band that gradually widens as it approaches the center, then taper the ends of the band by curving the lines inwards, giving it a distinctive appearance.

We’re not finished yet. Let’s add the Great Red Spot to this band. Start drawing swirling lines to create the Great Red Spot. This iconic storm should have an open oval shape, and the lines should suggest its turbulent nature.

For the last band, draw a couple of curved lines again. This time, you might vary their waving directions for a dynamic look.
Have you done yet? To complete the outline, add random short curved lines along each band. These lines represent the atmosphere’s texture and make your drawing more detailed.

2. We’ll start coloring and shading from this step. Now, fill the entire planet with a cream color first. This color mimics the presence of ammonia ice crystals and other reflective clouds in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere.

3. Next, add a reddish-orange hue to the three bands you drew in the first step. But do not color them entirely. Leave some areas lightly colored to depict the thick atmosphere and clouds.

Step 2: Add extra Color Strokes for Depth and Dimension

4. It looks quite weird if you just leave Jupiter with cream and orange bands separately, right? To create a more complex and visually appealing appearance, add extra orange strokes to the entire planet. They represent variations in Jupiter’s atmospheric composition.
This technique is simple. Use an orange pencil to draw soft curved lines along the bands slightly. Start with the first two bands at the top.

5. Have you nailed the technique? Then finish the rest by varying your strokes. Leave some areas darker than others for a natural look. For the red bands, add an extra layer of cream strokes to create a harmonic effect.

6. For this final step, refine details. Pay attention to the overall dimensions of the planet. Ensure the bands are apparent and the Great Red Spot is visually striking. Plus, you can add several more random short lines between the bands to enhance the textured appearance of Jupiter’s atmosphere.

Conclusion

You’ve just joined a memorable journey with us, and now you know how to draw Jupiter. Such an amazing practice!

Found it rather simple? Well, here’s another challenge for you: Draw a Jupiter with more bands and a highly-detailed surface. Our hint is to observe actual images of Jupiter for a valuable reference. Based on the details you’ve just added to your drawing, develop them further to depict the intricate texture, such as storm systems or cloud patterns. Plus, adding subtle variations in color is also a creative way to enhance your Jupiter image. A bit of gray and shades of brown is a good idea.

Are you enchanted by the whimsical yet adorable style? Consider personifying Jupiter by adding cartoonish elements like arms, legs, and a face. This can transform the planet into a fun character with its own personality. Sound interesting, right?

Once you’ve conquered any drawing, sharing it with everyone is fantastic. Not only will you receive valuable feedback (and compliments, of course!) but sharing is also perfect for inspiring others. So go ahead, draw and share!

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