How to Draw a Spaceship: A Step-By-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

Embarking on a journey to the cosmos doesn't require a real spaceship. In fact, all you need is your imagination and a few basic art supplies. In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll walk you through how to draw a spaceship from start to finish. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, these steps will help you create a cosmic masterpiece. So get ready to blast off with your creativity!

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you can start creating your spaceship, you'll need to gather some basic materials. These are the tools of the trade that will help bring your space-bound vision to life.

Paper and Pencil

The first thing you'll need is a blank sheet of paper. Any kind will do, but heavier paper like sketch paper can be easier to work with. Next, grab a pencil. A standard #2 pencil is perfect for sketching your spaceship's outline. Remember, the goal here isn't perfection—it's to let your imagination soar as you draw a spaceship.

Eraser

Even the best artists make mistakes, and that's where your eraser comes in. An eraser is a must-have tool. It allows you to easily correct any lines or shapes that don't quite look right and helps keep your spaceship drawing crisp and clean.

Coloring Materials

Last but not least, you'll need something to add color to your spaceship. This could be anything from colored pencils to markers to watercolor paints. Feel free to get creative here—maybe your spaceship is classic silver, or perhaps it's a vibrant mixture of every color in the rainbow. The choice is yours!

Now that you have your materials gathered, it's time to take the first step on your artistic journey. Let's draw a spaceship!

2. Draw a Basic Shape

Now that you've got all your materials ready, it's time to begin drawing your spaceship. The first step is to draw a basic shape. This will act as the foundation of your spaceship.

Choose a Shape

What do you want your spaceship to look like? Maybe it's a classic saucer shape, or perhaps it's more angular like a rocket. It's entirely up to you. Once you've decided, go ahead and lightly draw that shape on your paper. Remember, this is just the start of your spaceship drawing journey—there's no need to get too detailed just yet.

Sketch the Outline

With your basic shape in place, it's time to refine it a bit. This involves sketching a more detailed outline of your spaceship. Think about how you want the spaceship to look in terms of its size and proportions. If you're drawing a rocket ship, for example, you might want to emphasize its tall, sleek silhouette. The key here is to take your time and have fun with it—after all, you're the one designing this spaceship!

Refine the Outline

Once you're happy with your outline, go over it again, this time with a firmer hand. This will make your spaceship's shape stand out more and prepare it for the next step: adding details. Drawing a spaceship is a process, and every step brings you closer to your final masterpiece.

Great job! Now that you've created the basic shape of your spaceship, it's time to bring it to life with some details.

3. Add Details

With the basic shape in place, it's time to elevate your spaceship drawing to the next level. This is the stage where you get to inject your personal touch and let your creativity shine. Let's draw a spaceship that truly stands out from the crowd!

Draw Windows and Doors

Let's start by adding windows and doors to your spaceship. These are crucial for any spaceship as they provide a way in or out and allow the astronauts to see into space. Depending on the design of your spaceship, you might want to add circular portholes, square windows, or even a grand entrance door. Remember, this is your spaceship—you get to decide what it looks like!

Create Textures

Next, consider adding textures to your spaceship. Textures can make your spaceship more visually interesting and give it a sense of realism. For instance, you could add some lines to represent metal panels, or some dots to suggest a rough, rugged surface. The goal is to make your spaceship look as if it could withstand the harsh conditions of space travel.

Sketch the Propulsion System

Lastly, don't forget to sketch the propulsion system. This is what propels the spaceship forward in the vacuum of space. It could be a set of powerful rocket engines, a futuristic ion drive, or something entirely of your own creation. When you draw a spaceship, you're not just creating a piece of art—you're also envisioning a vessel that could explore the vastness of the universe.

Well done! You've added the important details that make your spaceship unique. It's starting to take shape and look like a real spaceship now, isn't it?

4. Finalize Your Drawing

Now that we've added all the necessary details, we're in the home stretch to draw a spaceship. It's time to clean up our work and make it pop. Let's move on to the finishing touches.

Erase Unnecessary Lines

Grab your eraser and get to work. You've probably got some pencil lines that were part of your initial sketch but aren't needed anymore. Erase these lines so that your spaceship looks clean and polished. Don't worry if you have to erase a bit of your detailed work - we'll go over it again in the next step.

Bolden the Outline

Next, let's make your spaceship stand out. With a darker pencil or a pen, trace over the outline of your spaceship. This will give it a bold, confident look. And it will emphasize the shape and design of your spaceship, making it the star of the show.

Add Shadows and Highlights

Finally, add some shadows and highlights to your spaceship. The shadows will give it depth and make it look three-dimensional. And the highlights will make it gleam, as if it's catching the light of distant stars. Consider where the light source in your drawing is and add your shadows and highlights accordingly.

You did it! Your detailed, bold spaceship is now ready for color. But first, take a moment to appreciate your work. Drawing a spaceship is no small feat, and you've done an amazing job so far!

5. Color Your Spaceship

Now that we've nailed down the structure and details, it's time to bring our spaceship to life with some vibrant colors. Let's dive in and give your spaceship the color scheme it deserves!

Choose Your Colors

First things first, decide on your color palette. Think about the type of spaceship you want to portray. Is it a shiny, state-of-the-art ship from a futuristic sci-fi film? Or, is it a rustic, weather-beaten ship from a space western? The choice is yours. And remember, there's no wrong answer when it comes to your creativity.

Fill in the Colors

Now that you've chosen your colors, it's time to fill them in. Start with the larger areas first, like the body of the spaceship. Then, move on to the smaller details like the windows and the propulsion system. Take your time and enjoy this step. Seeing your spaceship come to life with color is a rewarding part of the process.

Add Final Touches

Finally, add some final touches to your spaceship. Consider using lighter and darker shades to create depth and give the illusion of light reflecting off the spaceship. Or, you could even add some space dust or a blast from the propulsion system for an action-packed feel. Remember, the sky's not the limit when you're drawing a spaceship!

And there you have it! Your spaceship is now complete, vibrant, and ready to conquer the cosmos. But don't stop there! Why not share your masterpiece with the world? Let's find out how.

Great job on completing your spaceship drawing! It's time to showcase your artistry and let others admire your work. Remember, art is for sharing and who knows, your spaceship drawing might inspire someone else to draw a spaceship too!

Take a Photo

First, take a good photo of your drawing. Find an area with good lighting and lay your drawing flat. You can use your smartphone camera for this. Try taking the photo from different angles and choose the one that best highlights your spaceship drawing.

Next, share your photo on social media. You can simply post it on your feed or story, or you can join art-focused groups or forums where you can share your work with fellow artists. Include a fun caption about your experience learning how to draw a spaceship. This is a great way to connect with others who share your interest.

Get Feedback

Lastly, don't be shy about asking for feedback. Constructive criticism can help you improve your techniques and skills. Be open to suggestions and use them to improve your future spaceship drawings. Remember, every artist started somewhere, and every drawing you make helps you grow and develop as an artist.

And that's it! You've not only learned how to draw a spaceship, but you've also shared your work with others. Keep practicing, keep sharing, and most importantly, keep having fun with your art. Who knows, your next spaceship drawing might just be out of this world!

If you enjoyed learning how to draw a spaceship and want to further develop your skills in illustrating cosmic scenes, check out the workshop 'Creating the Cosmos with Procreate' by Jeffrey Thelin. This workshop will guide you through the process of creating stunning cosmic illustrations using Procreate, taking your spaceship drawings to a whole new level!