How to Draw Flames on a Car

Flames on a car give it a "hot rod" feel and certainly make for a striking color scheme. The effect is relatively simple to get. Learn how to use a framework that will let you add any flame design to any car.

Things You'll Need

• Marker pens, felt tip pens, crayons or paints.
• Pencil
• Fine-line pen
• Drawing of a car
• Eraser

Instructions

1. Find some reference images of flames and flames that have been painted onto cars such as the one above. These images will help you color and draw your flames accurately. You will also need a line drawing of a car onto which you can add the flames. Decide where on the car you want your flames to emanate from. The grille at the front of the car or all along the sides of the car are the most common and best places to put your flames.

2. Note that flames tend to be drawn with a wide base and a pointed top, with two wavy "s" shape lines drawn from either side of the base to the point at the top. Draw two dots next to each other for a base and another dot above those two for the tip of the flame. These dots can be as close or as far away from each other as you want as long as they create a triangle.

3. Draw the wavy "s" lines using the method described above from the two "base" dots to the "tip" dot. These lines will create the sides of the flame. To make the pattern more complex, you can draw mini individual flames inside the larger flames. Remember to keep your pencil lines faint at all times when sketching so you can easily erase mistakes. Using the method for drawing flames, draw your entire pattern out, making changes as you need to.

4. Take your fine-line pen and draw over the pencil lines you want to keep. Take care with this step as mistakes cannot be erased. Wait a few moments before erasing the pencil lines to avoid smudging. You should be left with clean line drawings of the flames.

5. Color in your flames, using the reference. Reds, oranges and yellows are the best colors to use. Even white can be effective. Color in the rest of the car as well to finish off the image.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't go over the top with the flame decals; keep it subtle.

• Keep your pencil lines faint in case you need to erase mistakes.

• Use a technical pencil for cleaner sketching lines.

• Marker pens provide the most professional look.

• Be aware that pens can leak.

• Avoid erasing too much.

References

• The Drawing Factory: How to Draw Flames

Resources

• Hot Rods and Custom Stuff: Painting Flames