Most common mistakes when drawing cars
While drawing cars can be extremely fun, it can also be quite difficult. As such, there are many mistakes that artists tend to make when it comes to drawing any type of vehicle, some more-so than others. That being said, the following will discuss what these common mistakes are, and how you can easily correct them to finally create that perfect drawing of a car.
Mistakes – and How to Correct Them
- The type of pencil: Surprisingly, the type of utensil you use can have a vast impact on the outcome of your image. If you primarily sketch everything you draw, then you should not only be using a Number 2 pencil – in fact, that is probably the worst pencil you could use for a sketch. Granted, it can be used for some light shading, but to appropriately sketch and shade the rest of the image, you will want to purchase a good quality set of artist sketching pencils.
- Issues with Perspective: While some images can be drawn seemingly flat, cars need to be drawn on what seems to be a multi-dimensional plane. That being said, you must be aware of your two vanishing points, at the front end and back end of the car. The eyes should be drawn towards the center of the image, not the outside, which is done with perspective. In order to perfect this concept, copy reference images and practice various perspectives by changing the angle the vehicle sits at on the page. Eventually, you will find the proper perspective to draw in for the type of car you want to create.
- The Importance of Symmetry: Cars are a symmetrical piece of machinery – what is done on one side is exactly how it will look on the other. That being said, even though you will not be drawing both sides of the vehicle, it must have the appearance of being symmetrical on both sides. Practice with your reference image, and check the backside of your image to make sure the symmetry is still there as you continue drawing.
- The Wheels: In a way, the wheels are going to make or break your drawing of a car. Don’t make the mistake of adding the wheels in after the fact, or they will appear to sit on top of the car rather than underneath. It is must preferable to begin your drawing with the wheels. Again, in order to perfect the wheels you will probably want to use reference images, and may even look to using geometry and some math skills to make them appear just right.
- Using the Wrong Paper: Some may not know that paper comes in a vast variety of options, even for artists. That being said, you obviously cannot sketch a car on photo paper, but you won’t want to sketch a car on a very light piece of paper either. Instead, you will want to find any type of paper that can hold on to the colors you apply, making it seem as though there really is a car inside that paper, rather than sitting on top of it. Do some research to see what type of paper artists typically use, but in general, find some sketch paper at your local craft supply store.
- Improper Proportions: Cars are a difficult concept to make appear correctly on the page, and using the wrong angles will make a car seem somewhat off kilter, even if you got the wheels perfect. That being said, once again, be sure to practice with reference images.