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How to Draw a Nuclear Cooling Tower
Draw a nuclear cooling tower in 11 easy steps, about 8 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the tower.
Step 1: The tower
In the middle draw a huge tower, wide at the bottom, pinched in near the top, flaring out again.
Tip A cooling tower is a giant curvy chimney that lets out clouds of steam.
Step 2: The rim
On top of the tower draw a flat oval for the open rim.
Step 3: Steam
On the rim draw a big puffy steam cloud, then 2 smaller puffs touching its top left and right.
Step 4: Bands
Draw 3 lines from side to side, each dipping in the middle: near the top, middle and bottom.
Step 5: Building
At the bottom right draw a low box building tucked behind the tower, with 2 small windows and a door.
Step 6: Small shed
At the bottom left draw a small box shed with a little door, tucked behind the tower.
Step 7: Ground
Draw a long ground line under everything, sticking out past both buildings.
Step 8: Sun
In the top right corner draw a sun: a circle with short rays around it.
Step 9: Yellow sun, white steam
Go over your lines, then colour the sun yellow. Leave the steam and the windows white.
Step 10: Stone tower
Colour the tower stone grey, stopping at the rim.
Step 11: Red buildings, slate rim
Colour the buildings red around the windows and doors. Colour the rim and doors slate around the steam. Puff, puff!

Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a nuclear cooling tower, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
