How to Draw a Plane

Airplanes and aviation is a very interesting subject to learn. Airplanes are fun to watch, but sometimes, you just aren't near an airport to see them. Whether you're an aviation geek or an artist, planes can be fun to draw! If you're looking for tips or a detailed how-to guide, then this article is just for you! In this wikiHow, you'll learn how to draw several types of planes.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Boeing 747 700

  1. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 1
    1
    Draw an oval for the front part of the plane.
  2. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 2
    2
    Draw a curve on the left part of the oval for the nose and a semi rectangle for the plane fuselage.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 3
    3
    Draw a triangle for the back part then draw a trapezoid above it for the tail fin.
  4. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 4
    4
    Draw a set of semi trapezoids for the wings and stabilizer.
  5. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 5
    5
    Draw another small trapezoid for the winglets and small triangles for the funnel connector.
  6. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 6
    6
    Draw a set of ovals for the funnels.
  7. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 7
    7
    Based on the outline, draw the whole body of the plane.
  8. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 8
    8
    Add details such as the windows, doors, wing details and funnel details.
  9. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 9
    9
    Erase unnecessary lines!
  10. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 10
    10
    Color your airplane!
    • If you are new to drawing, it is good to have a color wheel.[1]
    • It helps to understand how to mix the primary colors, namely red, blue, and yellow, to get secondary colors.[2]
    • For example, you know that you can get orange by mixing red and yellow.[3]
    11. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Cartoon Airplane

  1. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 1
    1
    Draw a long curved shape. Note that the left end looks more like a C.[4]
  2. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 2
    2
    Draw an inverted version of the first curve you have drawn on top to connect the ends of the curves to produce a rough outline of the airplane’s body.
  3. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 3
    3
    Sketch the airplane’s wings on each side using a slanted rectangle.[5]
  4. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 4
    4
    Draw a quadrilateral shape on the rear part of the plane to serve as the horizontal and vertical stabilizer.
  5. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 5
    5
    Erase unnecessary lines from the outline.
  6. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 6
    6
    Draw curved lines beneath the wings for the engine.
  7. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 7
    7
    Add details to the plane like windows and doors.
  8. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 8
    8
    Color the drawing and add clouds or other planes for details.
    9. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Boeing 787

  1. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 11
    1
    Draw a slanted cylinder for the fuselage
  2. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 12
    2
    Draw two an arc for the nose and a sharp curve for the back part of the plane.
  3. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 13
    3
    Draw a trapezoid at the back part for the tail fin.
  4. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 14
    4
    Draw another series of trapezoids for the wings and horizontal stabilizer.
  5. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 15
    5
    Draw two cylinders attached to each wing for the funnels.
  6. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 16
    6
    Based on the outline, Draw the whole body of the plane.
  7. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 17
    7
    Add details such as the windows, doors, wing details and funnel details.
  8. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 18
    8
    Erase the unnecessary outlines.
  9. Image titled Draw a Plane Step 19
    9
    Color your airplane.
    10. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Cessna 172

  1. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 9
    1
    Draw a big X shape at the center of the paper. This will be the guide in drawing the plane. Press down lightly with your pencil so that it is easy to erase.
  2. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 10
    2
    Using one of the slanted lines as guide, draw a rectangular shape on the lower left side. Add a triangular shape connected to the rectangle extending towards the right upper line. Remember to skip the pointed end of the triangle, instead, replace it with a small slanted line so that it appears to have four angles. This will serve as the body of the plane.
  3. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 11
    3
    To make it appear three dimensional, reproduce the same shape on the bottom of the original one and connect it with vertical lines.
  4. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 12
    4
    Draw the cockpit or flight deck of the airplane using quadrilaterals on top of the plane’s body.
  5. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 13
    5
    Draw extended rectangles on each side of the plane for the wings.
  6. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 14
    6
    Add the horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the rear part of the plane.
  7. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 15
    7
    Draw the landing gear using a circle and connect this to the plane using slanted lines.
  8. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 16
    8
    Draw the propeller and spinner on the frontal part of the airplane.
  9. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 17
    9
    Erase unnecessary lines and refine details of the drawing.
  10. Image titled Draw an Airplane Step 18
    10
    Add color to the drawing.
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How to draw a plane very well?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    We are all at different levels of drawing. Be creative and do your best. You could do some research on a particular plane you wish to draw.
  • Question
    How can I draw a plane taking off?
    Craftsmart
    Craftsmart
    Top Answerer
    A plane taking off would be drawn at a slight angle, with the landing gear still visible. It would probably be best to also draw the runway for context.
  • Question
    How do I draw a plane landing on an airport runway?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Draw a plane with its nose In the air and the wheels touching the runway, with a bit of skid smoke. Maybe add a control tower as well.
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Eraser
  • Colored pencils, crayons, markers or watercolors

You Might Also Like

What to Draw when You're Bored14 Things to Draw When You're Bored
How to
Use Tracing Paper
Draw Cars
How to
Draw Cars
Doodle
How to
Doodle
How to Make a Peach Color
Draw a Lamborghini
How to
Draw a Lamborghini
Draw a Train
How to
Draw a Train
Practice Drawing
How to
Practice Drawing
Draw a Boat
How to
Draw a Boat
Teach Drawing
How to
Teach Drawing
Use Transfer Paper
How to
Use Transfer Paper
How to
Create Your Own Coat of Arms
Draw Medusa
How to
Draw Medusa
Draw Dominoes
How to
Draw Dominoes
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://emptyeasel.com/2014/05/08/why-a-color-chart-and-color-wheel-are-a-must-have-for-painters/
  2. ↑ https://online.maryville.edu/liberal-arts-degrees/the-art-of-color/
  3. ↑ https://decoart.com/blog/article/318/color_theory_basics_the_color_wheel
  4. ↑ https://rainbowprintables.com/how-to-draw/cartoon-airplane/
  5. ↑ https://rainbowprintables.com/how-to-draw/cartoon-airplane/

About This Article

Renée Plevy
Co-authored by:
Renée Plevy
Portrait Artist & Educator
This article was co-authored by Renée Plevy. Renée Plevy is an Internationally Acclaimed Portrait Artist from New York/Palm Beach who has painted The Grand Dames of Palm Beach and various celebrities and community leaders. With over 50 years of experience, Renée specializes in painting realistically in oil and capturing the soul of the person. She has studied under internationally renowned portrait artists John Howard Sanden, David Leffel, Robert Beverly Hale, Clyde Smith, and Leonid Gervits. Renée is featured in over 68 shows and galleries including a one-woman museum show at the Paterson Museum. She has garnered numerous awards including “Artist of the Year” from The Bloomfield Art League and First Prize from the Boca Raton Museum Artist’s Guild. Renée has even painted a portrait of celebrity, Vanilla Ice. She also teaches at the Boca Raton Museum Art School - formerly at SVA in Manhattan. This article has been viewed 593,841 times.
16 votes - 76%
Co-authors: 51
Updated: May 20, 2022
Views: 593,841
Categories: Drawing
Article SummaryX

To draw a plane, start by drawing a horizontal upward curve that looks like a hook at one end. Then, draw a horizontal downward curve on top of it to close the shape and make the body of the plane. Next, sketch 2 slanted rectangles on either side of the body, which will be the wings. Add 3 quadrilateral shapes to the thin end of the plane for the stabilizers, and draw 2 curved lines under each wing to make the engines. Once you've done that, erase any unnecessary lines, sketch the windows and doors, and you're finished! If you want to learn how to draw a realistic looking plane, keep reading the article!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement