Drawing Cars: 3 Tips for Dynamic Perspective
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 4 min read

Contents

  1. Using Foreshortened Shapes
  2. Playing with Proportions
  3. Adding Dynamic Energy Through Lines

Ever found yourself sketching a car, only to realize that it looks more like a box on wheels than a sleek machine? Drawing cars can be admittedly challenging, especially when you're trying to capture that dynamic perspective. But don't worry, with these three key tips, you'll understand how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective and be well on your way to creating stunning illustrations.

Using Foreshortened Shapes

Let's start with foreshortened shapes. This technique involves altering the size and angle of shapes to give the illusion of depth and perspective. Imagine you're looking at a car from an angle, not all parts of the car will appear the same size. Some parts will seem larger, while others will appear smaller. That's foreshortening at work!

Understanding Foreshortening

Here's a simple way to get a grip on foreshortening. Picture a road receding into the distance. What do you see? Exactly! The road seems to get narrower the further away it goes. It's the same when you're learning how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective. The parts of the car closer to you will seem bigger, and those further away will look smaller. It's all a play of perspective!

Applying Foreshortening to Car Sketches

  • Start Small: Begin by practicing on simple shapes like a cube or a cylinder. Draw these shapes from different angles, and observe how the proportions change with each perspective.
  • Scale Up: Once you're comfortable with basic shapes, it's time to apply the same principle to a car sketch. Remember, the parts of the car that are closer to the viewer should appear larger.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Keep practicing! It might feel strange at first, but as you keep sketching, you'll find it becoming more natural.

Understanding and using foreshortened shapes is the first step in learning how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective. It's a handy trick that adds depth and realism to your sketches. But remember, it's not just about making some parts of the car bigger and others smaller. It's about capturing the unique perspective of the viewer and bringing your sketch to life!

Playing with Proportions

Now that we've got a handle on foreshortened shapes, let's move on to the next tip: playing with proportions. You see, cars aren't just a random assortment of shapes and lines. They follow a certain proportion and symmetry. And getting these proportions right can be the difference between a car that looks like it's ready to hit the road, and one that seems more suited to a cartoon strip.

Understanding Car Proportions

Here's a fun fact: the average car is about four wheels long. That's right! If you lined up four tires end-to-end, that would roughly equal the length of the car. This is a handy rule of thumb when you're figuring out how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective. But remember, this is just a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. Different car models will have different proportions.

Applying Proportions to Car Sketches

  1. Start with a Base: Begin by drawing the base line for the car. This will form the bottom of the car's wheels.
  2. Add Wheels: Next, add in the wheels. Remember, the diameter of the wheel can act as a unit of measurement for the rest of the car.
  3. Build the Body: Now, build the body of the car. Typically, the body sits on top of the wheels and is approximately three wheels high.
  4. Refine and Adjust: Finally, refine your sketch and adjust the proportions as needed. The key here is to observe, analyse, and adjust until you get it right.

Playing with proportions is a critical aspect of understanding how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective. It's about noticing the relationships between different parts of the car and translating that into your sketch. And while it might seem complex at first, with practice, you'll find it becomes second nature.

Adding Dynamic Energy Through Lines

Alright, we've played around with foreshortened shapes and proportions. Now, let's put some energy into our artwork. How do we do that? By harnessing the power of lines. Just like in a high-speed race, every line in your car sketch can add a sense of motion and dynamism. So, let's rev up our pencils and find out how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective using lines.

Understanding Lines and Energy

Not all lines are created equal. Some lines are calm and quiet, while others are loud and energetic. It's like the difference between a silent electric vehicle and a roaring sports car. Horizontal lines tend to be more stable and serene, while diagonal lines give a sense of action and speed. For dynamic car sketches, diagonal lines are your best friends.

Applying Lines to Car Sketches

  1. Create the Action Line: The action line is the main diagonal line that shows the direction of the car's movement. Think of it as an invisible ramp that your car is speeding along.
  2. Add the Body Lines: Next, add in the body lines of the car. These should follow the direction of the action line to reinforce the sense of speed and movement.
  3. Detail with Dynamic Lines: Finally, add in the details like the windows, lights, and grille. But remember, each line should add to the overall dynamism of the sketch. If a line doesn't contribute to the sense of speed, it's probably not necessary.

Lines, when used effectively, can inject your car sketches with a sense of energy and dynamism. They can transform a static drawing into a high-speed chase scene. And that's the secret to understanding how to draw a car from a dynamic perspective. It's not just about getting the shapes and proportions right, but also about capturing the energy and excitement of a car in motion.

If you enjoyed our blog post on drawing cars and want to learn even more about creating dynamic perspectives in your artwork, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'A New Perspective on Perspective' by Roberto Bernal. This workshop will provide you with valuable techniques and insights to enhance your understanding of perspective and take your art to new heights.