Table of Contents:

• Drawing a Car Just Got Easier
• Car Drawing One Step at a Time
• Recommendations

Drawing a Car Just Got Easier

How to draw a car? If you’ve ever tried to draw a vehicle of any kind, you’ll agree it can be a real challenge. Cars have a lot of complicated parts. Plus, there’s its perspective you have to take into consideration. It’s enough to make you throw your hands in the air and give up! But, I’m here to help you draw a car or truck that looks like the real thing that’s easy. I’ve got nine simple steps that are sure to give you the guidance you need for the confidence to draw this car and others in the future. 

I suggest using an HB pencil. This will let you make a light initial version that you can change as your drawing progresses without smudging the graphite as a softer lead might. You’ll be able to erase lines completely, too. A good set to use is the Arteza Professional Drawing Set that gives you pencils in a wide range of grades, from the hardest leads to the softest, for creating pale marks to dark lines. 

Car Drawing One Step at a Time

Step 1

When drawing cars, I start with a rectangle. Then, I place a line down the middle of it. The line defines where the foreground (front bumper) is and separates the truck’s front and side.

Step 2

Next, I begin adding perspective by placing slanted lines from the lower horizontal line. This designates the truck’s lower edges.

HINT: The rule of perspective says that objects closer to us appear larger while decreasing in size as they travel farther away. 

Step 3

To make this step easier to follow, I used two colors (red and blue) to define both visible and invisible lines in what looks like a rectangular box. The height of the box is equal to the truck’s hood and bed. Its nearest edge (the vertical line, which was drawn in the first step) is the tallest since it’s closest to us. Note how the blue and red lines connect at separate vanishing points. 

Step 4

Create the truck’s cabin the same way by creating a smaller box on top of the larger one.

Step 5

I have the basic framework, so I redraw the lines for the curves on the truck. I do this by outlining these simple forms to illustrate where the grille, windows, and doors will be. Now the look of a real car is beginning to take shape!

I remove some of the excess construction details. It’s also time to draw the wheels.

Step 6

I outline the mirrors, the wheel wells, and the bends on the hood. See how I section the hood into different areas and set the direction of the perspective from the angle of the blue lines.

Step 7

It’s all about the details here. I draw the chrome parts on the front bumper and grille, the logo plate, the doors and windows with the sills, the small part that shows of the front left tire, and the lines that indicate the side bumper. I also draw the roof more rounded.

Step 8

Here, I erase all the excess construction details.

Step 9

My favorite color for cars and trucks is red but you can color this one any shade you want and with any tools you like. I used EverBlend markers. Wow! I’m ready for a ride, how about you?

Good for you! You put aside your doubts about being able to draw a car and completed one! 

Recommendations

• I recommend checking out books or videos to learn more about achieving perspective in your artwork. It’s well worth the time and is the one thing I know that will immediately up the level of your art!
• I also suggest always starting with the most general shapes and building on those until you get to specific details. Think of your initial drawing as the foundation on which you will be refining as you work until the tiniest aspect is made.
• Don’t forget to add the shadows and reflections, as these will make your car more realistic. 
• Since each step builds on the one before it, you don’t want to skip any steps.

Your skill at this will grow and grow as you begin to draw vehicles of all makes and models. To get in lots of practice, I use pictures from magazines, books, the internet, and those I photograph myself. It won’t be long before you’ll be addicted to sketching them and have a sketchbook full just like me! Drawing cars is a lot of fun especially when you begin designing some imaginary ones, so don’t stop now—keep going and have fun! I’d love to know how it’s going. Leave your comments about how you’re doing drawing cars in the section below.