Drawing is an educational activity that can help you pass the time on a rainy afternoon. But drawing certain items can be more difficult than others. For example, you may be wondering how to draw a car.
Drawing a car isn’t as difficult as you may think, as long as you have the right directions to guide you. We’ve compiled a list with some easy tips and tricks to help you learn to draw different types of cars. Read on to get started.
Tips for How to Draw a Car
Before you pick out your dream car to start sketching, you need to learn a few basics for drawing cars. Here are some basic tips that can take your ability to draw a car to a whole new level.
Tip 1: Check Proportions
The key to making a realistic-looking car is to keep all of the proportions in check. The wheels should never be larger than the bumpers, and they should be evenly spaced apart.
Most professional artists recommend first drawing your two wheels (the same size of course) on the exact same line. You will need to ensure the two wheels are spaced at least three wheels (of the same size) apart. The distance you leave between them will make your drawing more in proportion with a real car.
Then, when you begin to add other parts to your vehicle, it will be much easier to keep things in proportion as you will be able to base their size on the wheels.
Tip 2: Decide Your Perspective in Advance
It is common to draw a car from the side, but sometimes people like to draw a car from a corner angle–so you can see both the front and the side of the car at the same time. For best results, you need to decide this in advance, so you can establish all of your proportions and angles for the entire car before you begin.
Tip 3: Use Shading
Wonder what makes a car look 2 dimensional versus 3 dimensional? The answer is shading.
Use shading to give your car some depth, and to make the windows look more realistic. Shading is best done with a range of colored or charcoal pencils, but you can use a whole range of mediums, such as crayons, to shade your car and make it look more realistic.
Supplies You Need for How to Draw a Car
Now that you’ve got some basic tips and tricks under your belt, it’s time to look at some of the supplies you need. The exact supplies you need will depend on the medium you choose to draw cars in.
- Pencil
- Paper (sketch pad works well)
- Eraser (for shading)
- Color pencils
- Drawing Compass (For making circles)
- Crayons (great for kids)
- Markers
- An image of your preferred car for reference
- Directions (printed or on a computer screen)
Generally, you should work in the artistic medium in which you are more comfortable and your artistic interests to ensure your drawing will be the best it can be.
When you Would Draw a Car
Maybe you are reading this and wondering when you would draw a car. Well, there are many situations where you may find yourself stuck inside with nothing to do.
Learning how to draw a car is a great rainy day activity for adults and children alike. Consider baking a batch of delicious cookies, and grabbing your art supplies for an afternoon of fun.
Drawing a car can also be a great activity for a birthday party for an older child. Sometimes, kids get to an age where they prefer to sit and talk with friends than play birthday party games. If your kid is at this age, grab some art supplies, easy directions (and maybe still some cookies), and make drawing a car a fun birthday competition.
Best Uses for Car Drawing
Once you, or your children, have completed a few car drawings, you may not know what to do with them. Here are some ideas of the best uses for car drawings.
- Decoration in a kid’s bedroom
- Decoration in your home
- Add to a portfolio to give to your kids when they are grown (so they can look back fondly on their art days and track if they improve)
- Have children give them as a gift for birthdays/Christmas to family members
- Enter the drawings in art competitions
- Enter your drawing to be featured in a local art gallery
- Make a YouTube video of you drawing your car
Don’t like any of the above uses? You can also draw just as a way to relax and train the creative side of your mind, then throw away the drawing when you are finished.
Easy Steps How to Draw a Car
Ready to get started? Below are some easy steps to draw a basic car.
Materials:
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Image of a car
- Crayons or markers (for those who desire a colorful car)
- Drawing compass
Step 1: Draw Wheels
Start your car drawing by using the compass to draw a single wheel. You will want to use the same diameter for both wheels.
After you draw your first wheel, draw the second wheel on the same line exactly 3 wheel-shaped circles away. If you are using a pencil, you can actually draw these circles and then go back and erase them later.
Step 2: Add Some Lines
Draw a line coming from each wheel, as well as one connecting them together. The lines should all be in line with one another.
Step 3: Start the Body
Start the body of your car by drawing half circles above the wheels. These half-circles should be connected by a line.
Step 4: Make Bumpers
Now add some bumpers to your vehicle. Do this by curving the end of the short line coming from your wheel back around until it meets the wheel again. Draw the same for the second wheel.
Step 5: Draw a Rectangle
From the tops of each bumper, draw a line for an inch or two. Then, use one large line to connect the two together. The final result should look like a rectangle on two wheels.
Step 6: Draw a Trapezoid
On top of the rectangle, you will want to make a trapezoid shape. You can add windows to the trapezoid.
Step 7: Make a Door
Kind of hard to have a car without a door. Add a line from one of the windows down to make a door for the driver.
Step 8: Add Accessories
Now that your car is coming together, don’t be afraid to add some accessories, like lights, a steering wheel, some hubcaps, and a handle for the door. Shade in your car if you like or add color and your car drawing is ready to go.
How to Draw a Car: 15 EASY Drawing Projects
1. Volkswagon Beetle
There is no car more iconic than the Volkswagon beetle. With its unique shape, it immediately became a hit in the 1960s and continues to be popular today. Learn how to drive one of these trendy cars for yourself on Art Projects for Kids.
2. Basic Sedan
Not into the trendy beetle look? Not a problem, drawing a more basic, 4-door sedan is just as easy and can help you improve your skills. Find the information on how to do so on How to Draw for Kids.
3. 3D Basic Sedan
When you want to improve on the basic sedan drawing, but aren’t quite ready to tackle a more complicated car, give drying a 3D sedan a shot. You can find the directions on Drawing for all. It will take a little bit of time and practice but can be a fun afternoon activity, especially when paired with some cookies.
4. Audi
Audi is another classic car manufacturer which has put out several different show-stopping models which have become loved around the world, and they have even bigger plans for the future. If you want to learn how to draw one, with a front view, take a look at the information on Drawing Cars.
5. Porche 911
After you’ve mastered the Audi, it’s time to kick things up a notch by drawing a Porsche 911. The sleek lines of this car can be difficult to master, but if you follow the directions on Auto Week you will find it isn’t so bad after all.
6. Dodge Challenger
The Dodge challenger is a good racing car to start with for those who are just too nervous to try the Porche 911 just yet but want to learn to draw fancier things in the future. The instructions are on How to Draw, and you will definitely want some colors on hand to fill in this drawing when you are finished.
7. Lamborghini Aventador
Now it’s time to get really fancy and check out HT draw to learn how to draw a Lamborghini Aventador. You may just find that it’s a lot easier than you thought. If you’re drawing this car for an afternoon adventure, you’ll want to have some extra cookies on hand as it may take a bit of time to master.
8. Convertible
Want to drive down the street in a convertible with the wind in your hair? While this may not be possible in real life, you can make it possible in your drawing. Just follow the instructions on Easy Drawing Art and you’ll have your own (2D) convertible after a little practice.
9. Jeep
Jeeps are a popular vehicle that are favored by those who enjoy off-roading and other forms of outdoor adventure. Discover how to drive one (and join the elusive Jeep club) by using these directions from Drawing for All.
10. Supercar
Not all the cars you draw have to exist in real life. Take a look at these supercar drawing instructions from Socially Viral. It’s a mix of a Ferrari and a Porche, and honestly, we are a little bummed these things don’t exist in real life.
11. Subaru
While once a practical car favored by moms who needed 4-wheel drive, Subaru is now known to make some pretty sweet sports cars. Don’t believe us? Practice drawing this Subaru BRZ on HT Draw and see for yourself.
12. Truck
Is a truck really considered a car? Who knows, but it can be fun learning to draw a truck regardless of what other people think. You can check out the directions on Drawing for All to get you on the right track for drawing a 3D truck.
13. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a hardy car that has been known to last families for decades, especially those which were purchased in the 1980s. Because they are so popular, you should probably add drawing one to your repertoire. The instructions for how to do so can be found on How to Draw Easy.
14. Cartoon Car
Sometimes you need to draw a car so that your cartoon people can go from point a to point b–you don’t need all this sports car nonsense. When this is the case, try drawing this cartoon car on Easy Line Drawing.
15. SUV
Cars aren’t just for driving to dinner and the movies, but they are also used to cart kids to soccer practice, take the dogs to the dog park, and more. For those who need a big car to run all their errands, an SUV is their go-to vehicle. Discover the art of drawing one on How to Draw Easy.
How to Make a 3D Car Drawing
Drawing a regular 2D car is fun, but drawing a 3D car is even better. Believe it or not, it is actually quite easy to draw a 3D car, as it mostly involves drawing shapes. Here is you do it.
Materials:
- Pencil
- Paper
- Eraser
- Colors (if you so choose)
Step 1: Draw a Diamond
Draw a large diamond in the center of the paper. It should be longer than it is wide.
Step 2: Draw Rectangles
Draw a rectangle on the lower left side of the diamond. Do the same on the right, but make the rectangle indent by half a circle on the bottom for the wheel.
Step 3: Draw the Front Window
On the upper right-hand side of the diamond, draw a larger rectangle to make the front window.
Step 4: Draw the Roof
Draw a large square attached to the top side of the front window to make the roof of the vehicle.
Step 5: Draw the Side Windows
From the bottom right corner of the roof, draw a diagonal line. Connect this line with the bottom of the front windshield to make the side windows of the car.
Step 6: Draw the Side Panel
By now you can probably see where this is going, but draw a line from the bottom of the first rectangle to make the side of the car–leaving an indent for the wheel. Connect the end of this line with the bottom of the side windows.
Step 7: Add Details
Your car should be nearly done. Finish it off by adding things like wheels, lights, door handles, and a front bumper.
How to Draw a Car FAQ
What is the Easiest Car to Draw?
The easiest car to draw is one that is more rectangular or boxy with lots of straight lines. For example, a Volvo 700 series from the 1970s would be very easy to draw.
What is the Hardest Car to Draw?
The more sporty a car is, the more difficult it is to draw, making a Lamborghini one of the hardest cars to draw.
Can Kids Draw Cars too?
Drawing cars isn’t just for adults. If you find that your child is always watching you draw, or perhaps cars are one of their interests, you should definitely have them draw cars with you. There are many YouTube videos that can help you and your child draw cars together.
Conclusion
There are just so many things to love about drawing cars. Whether you are looking to improve your drawing skills, or spend a quiet afternoon at home, either is a good reason to pull out your art supplies and practice how to draw a car. Just pick one of the suggestions off this list and start practicing–before you know it you will be a pro.