BOOM, BANG, SIZZLE - Drawing Fireworks
- Helen Carter
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
This month I wanted to reintroduce the fun subject of drawing Fireworks on Black paper. I've written about fireworks before, but this time I'm bringing in some new designs for you to try, and a full firework display illustration that you can try for yourself.
With the rise in drone events (no pun intended) the cost of traditional fireworks and waning public-approval of loud noises (ahem) traditional displays are becoming a thing of the past. In October 2025, China broke two Guinness World Records in a single display (below) featuring 16,000 drones creating an incredible and three-dimensional display from a single computer! It looks incredible, but it feels sanitized. Where's my BOOM BANG SIZZLE?
With traditional fireworks, colours are created by the burning of specific metal compounds, and the shapes are formed from very specific ways of packing each shell. This is why you tend to only see the same ones in shows (especially local shows) The great thing about drawing them though, is that you can be really expressive and free to combine any colours you feel and any shapes you fancy.
We’ve all seen the enormous sparkling globes that hang in the sky for ages, or the twinkling stars that slowly descend amidst a golden crackle. The trick with those is to remember they have a central point within the explosive sphere, and for realism, your perspective needs to illustrate that. I’ll show you how.
First things first, fireworks are a night, or late evening event, so choose a dark surface to work on. I like the Fabriano BlackBlack drawing paper. It is a really deep black and makes the colours pop. But a dark blue or purple can also look great. You also need pretty decent pencils. I'm using Chromaflow.
TOP TIP: Try these shapes and techniques with acrylic markers too!
There are lots of recognisable shapes. Here’s a few favourites with their simple steps. Each one starts with a very lightly drawn circle in graphite. Make it big enough to allow for plenty of ‘comet trails’ and ‘crackle’ in between. Use a sharp white pencil for the first layer. The sharper the better for thinner lines, better coverage and precision.
BROCADE – A ball of trailing stars that fall gently in an umbrella pattern.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 1 – Draw a guide circle large enough to add lots of comet trails within. This is the size of your firework.
Starting near the centre, add some shorter trails that curve as if coming towards you and finish with a bright ‘star’ at the tip. Then add some longer trails that finish closer to the outside circle. Try to imagine how gravity will affect them as they fall.
Vary the lengths and the curvature of the trails for best effect. Having a few cross over will enhance the 3D effect and suggest perspective. The lowest ones will be the least curving, as gravity is already in effect with these.
The trails should not start from the very centre.
Stage 2 – Create some ‘crackle’ in the centre with the white pencil.
Draw lots of tiny 'balls', some slightly larger than others to suggest that they are closer. Keep them mainly towards the centre, overlapping and close together for a brighter look, then spreading out.
Stage 3 – Add colour to the trails. Press quite firmly right on top of the white. Ensure your pencil is sharp.
These can be all the same colour, or they can transition from one colour to another along the length. Whatever you choose, they should all be the same design.
Outline a few of the white dots near the centre too for more interest.
If you want, you can colour the bright tips.
PEONY – A spherical explosion of stars with no trails.
Stage 1.
Stage 2.
Stage 1 – Lightly draw a guide circle for your firework. These fireworks are often one of the largest in a display, so make sure to give them plenty of room.
There are no trails in this style, only ‘stars’
Using a sharp white pencil, draw and colour small circles throughout the guide-circle. Try to distribute the stars evenly throughout.
The density of stars should slightly increase as it gets close to the edge. This will accentuate the suggestion of ‘roundness’ and 3Dimensions.
Stage 2 – Using whatever colour you want, using firm pressure, draw a circle around all the white stars.
If you find they are too small, go back to the white pencil and enlarge before adding the colour on top.
Leave the centres of each as bright as possible. I’ve left mine white for maximum effect, but yellow would look good here too!
CHRYSANTHEMUM – A big explosion with straight trails.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 1 – Start by lightly drawing a guide circle for the size of your firework. Lightly mark the centre of the circle.
Using a ruler, draw lots of different length trails with a sharp white pencil. Ensure each trail is angled through the central point, but do not draw all the way through it.
There should be no crossing lines or gravitational effect with this design.
Try to keep them relatively evenly distributed. One or two can extend slightly beyond the guide circle for added explosion!
Stage 2 – Draw over the white with whatever colour you want. I’ve created a transition from red into orange.
I found it easiest to use the ruler again, and to have sharp points for the best precision.
Ensure the outer ends are brightest.
Here’s an alternative version with shorter trails. Sometimes called a Dahlia they’re a little less dense than the Chrysanthemum, but the process is the same.
PALM
Here’s a couple of examples where the burst does not appear to come from the centre. Of course, it does, but it is a flatter burst, so the angle at which it explodes, combined with the angle you view it will affect its appearance.
Classic PALM.
PALM variant.
The classic Palm explodes and breaks into only a few stars with extra-long wide trails that slowly fall, creating leaf-like shapes.
I’ve used a long leaf-shaped tight zigzag motion for the trails to get the idea of palm leaves across. The ‘middle’ is off-centre, and I have shortened the lengths on the side closest to my guide circle. I also added some ‘crackle’ with colour dots.
The green one is a variation with thinner leaves. I have exaggerated the off-centre middle, added more and thinner trails with larger stars at the end. The red crackle is only through the centre, and that middle has been kept white to accentuate the burst. The slight elongation of the zigzag trail gives it a little motion too.
The main thing is to have fun with some designs.
This planet burst is an easy idea for combining two shapes.
Initial white similar to chrysanthemum
Different colours for the two elements
Start with your guide circle for the central ball, then add a much wider ellipse that cuts above and below the central point.
You do need to suggest depth and transparency with this one, so decide which part of the ellipse is in front of the main burst.
Use a ruler to create a chrysanthemum (as above) but leave space for the front section of the ring. Add this with the ruler too, but much shorter and contained to a narrow band.
For the part of the ring behind, you should be able to fit a few lines in between the chrysanthemum trails in a narrow band. It doesn’t need many.
To show you how these ideas can come together into one image, check this out. The black and white is great, but I love the colour version.
It's so bright, and vibrant. I can almost smell it.
I've used Derwent Chromaflow and Fabriano BlackBlack paper for all of the illustrations in this blog.
If you enjoyed this, why not give it a try yourself. Try combining some of the different techniques, shapes and finishes to create your own display.
For your enjoyment, I also have a free PDF as a handy guide you can download.
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