How to Draw Lightning McQueen

Last Updated: June 5, 2020

Lightning McQueen is the main character of the Disney Pixar films Cars and Cars 3 . In appearance, he's very similar to a NASCAR car--what really matters is that he's a great subject for an artist. Follow this tutorial to learn to draw Lightning McQueen!

Steps

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-1.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Draw two ovals for the front of the car, and two large ones to form the body. Draw a curved trapezoid for the head and a rectangle to shape the back of the car.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-2.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Pencil in the lines for his eyes, mouth, tires, windows, etc., as shown in this image.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-3.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Add two circles to the windshield area for the eyes. Draw smaller circles inside each of these for the pupils. Add in eyelids to give more life to Lightning. Don't forget his lively smile, including his teeth and tongue.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-4.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

At this stage, you need to add perspective to create the sense of dimension and depth. Add details to the wheels by sketching in smaller circles for the rims, with smaller circles in the middle and small squares around the rim.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-5.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Draw Lightning's stickers, Rusteez logo, and a couple of lightning bolts. Mark his side with the number 95. Outline the number in shadow to create depth.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-6.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Color in the black areas, such as the tires, pupils, and part of the mouth as shown in the image. Erase any excess guidelines.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-7.jpg\/aid1477696-v4-728px-Draw-Lightning-McQueen-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Use the colors shown here, mostly red and yellow/orange for his detailing. While you're coloring, add shadows and highlights, and you're done!

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I color to my drawing to make it look like an animation?

Community Answer

You could try making the features look a bit blurry. This technique tricks the eyes into thinking a drawing is moving. Drawing light lines with a light gray colored pencil can give the illusion of movement as well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 12

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If you want to use markers/watercolors to color your drawing, use paper that is relatively thick and line over your pencil more darkly before doing so.

Thanks
Helpful 45 Not Helpful 18
Draw lightly in pencil so that you can easily rub out mistakes.

Thanks
Helpful 46 Not Helpful 21

How to Draw Lightning McQueen

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

About this article

Did this article help you?

About this article

You Might Also Like

Explore Categories