How To Draw A Mazda MX-5 - Simple & Realistic Step-By-Step Tutorial
In this car drawing tutorial, I will show you how to draw a Mazda MX-5 aka a Miata.
I've divided each part into simple steps so you can easily follow along and create your own realistic Mazda MX-5 drawing.
Let's get started!
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
How Do You Draw A Mazda MX-5?
The first step in drawing a Mazda MX-5 (or Miata) is choosing which one you want to draw and look for reference photos.
Once you find a photo you like, you start sketching the outline of the car using the grid method to make it a bit easier.
After that, you color the car using markers.
And to finish it off, you add a few details with a white and black colored pencil, and you add some highlights using a white paint marker.
Step 1: Look For A Reference Photo Of A Mazda MX-5 You Like
The first step of drawing a Mazda MX-5 is to search for a reference photo you like.
I searched for reference photos on Unsplash, which is a great source for car references.
I found this photo that I really like.
Step 2: Choose What Drawing Supplies And Colors To Use
To make this drawing, I used Ohuhu Honolulu markers in the colors Colorless Blender (0), Neutral Grey 03 (CG030), Neutral Grey 3 (NG03), Neutral Grey 07 (CG070), Neutral Grey 6 (NG06), Neutral Grey 7 (NG07), Black (120), and Praline (E080). (Get a 10% discount here.)
I also used the black and white Derwent Chromaflow colored pencils.
And to add white highlights, I used a white Posca PC-3M paint marker.
I made this drawing on A4-sized Canson Illustration Manga paper.
Step 3: Sketch The Outline Of The Mazda MX-5
Now that we've found a reference photo and gathered our drawing materials, we can start sketching the car.
To make sketching this Mazda a little easier, I used a technique called the grid method.
If you don't know what it is or how to use it, I highly recommend checking out this guide I wrote.
To use the grid method, I first resized the reference photo to the same size as my paper, which translates to 3508 by 2480 pixels.
Next, I added a grid overlay of 15 by 10.5 squares and I marked the squares I needed to sketch in red.
Next, I recreated the grid on my paper. I only sketched the squares marked in red, but you can also sketch the whole grid if you like. That might be a bit easier, especially if you're new to this technique.
After that, I lightened the grid with my kneaded eraser and started sketching the outline.
To sketch the outline, I broke it up into simple lines.
For each line, I marked where it starts and ends, and where it crosses grid lines. Then, I sketched the line as smoothly as possible.
I did this until the whole outline was complete.
Step 4: Sketch The Parts And Details Of The Mazda MX5
Next, I sketched all the bigger parts of the MX-5, like the grill, the window, the headlights, etc.
I broke each part up into simple lines and sketched them using the same technique I use for the outline.
After that, I added all the smaller parts and details using the same techniques.
Step 5: Sketch The Wheels Of The Mazda MX-5
Next, I sketched the wheels.
These are quite simple as you can't really see much of them.
I started by sketching the outer edge of the rim.
To do this, I marked the top, right, bottom, and left edges. Then I marked where it crosses the grid lines. Next, I sketched the outline of the rim as smoothly as possible.
I also marked the center of the wheel.
Next, I sketched 7 of the 8 spokes I could see. For most of them, I just sketched a straight line that pointed toward the center.
After that, I repeated these steps for the rear wheel.
Step 6: Sketch The Reflections On The Mazda MX5
To finish the sketch off, I marked out some reflections on the body of the car.
I marked the reflection just below the windshield, the reflections on the side of the car, and some small ones on the front bumper.
Step 7: Color All Pure Black Parts Of The Mazda MX-5
Now that the sketch is done, we can start to color the Mazda MX-5.
I like to start with all the pure black parts. This is very easy to do and it makes the rest of the car look easier to color.
Step 8: Color The Wheels Of The Mazda MX-5
Next, I used NG06 to color the spokes of the wheels.
Step 9: Color The Small Grills On The Front Of The Mazda MX-5
After that, I colored the small grills to either side of the big front grill.
I first colored the right one with NG03.
Next, I added some shadows to it with CG070. The reflections are kinda shaped like a 3.
I also colored the left grill with CG070.
Lastly, I used NG06 to darken the top, right, and bottom edges of the right grill and I added some squiggles in the left grill.
Step 10: Color The Headlights Of The Mazda MX-5
After that, I moved onto the headlights.
I started by coloring both headlights with NG03, but on the left one I skipped a line and colored it with CG030 instead.
Next, I used CG070 and colored most of the right headlight and I added some details and shadows to the left headlight.
Lastly, I used NG06 to darken the top and left edges of the right headlights. I also added 3 big dots in the right half.
I then also used NG06 to darken most of the dark spots on the left headlight.
Step 11: Color The Windshield & Interior Of The Mazda MX-5
Next, I colored the interior and the windshield.
I started by coloring the lightest parts with NG03, which are the right side window, a horizontal line on the back seats, and a spot above that.
But looking back at it now, I don't think I was supposed to color the top left bit at all...
After that, I used CG070 and colored the rear left headrest, another horizontal line just below the previous one, the bit to the right of the steering wheel, the A-pillar, and top edge of the window.
Then, I colored the remainder with NG06.
To finish it off, I used NG07 to add some shadows to the darkest parts. These are mainly the front seats and the part to the left of the windshield except for the small top bit.
Step 12: Color The Shadow Of The Mazda MX-5
Next up, I colored the shadow below the Mazda string by coloring the outer edge with CG030.
After that, I colored the bit in between the black and the CG030 with CG070.
And lastly, I blended all the greys together to form one smooth transition from light to dark.
To do this, I used CG070 to color over the edge of the black to smoothen it out.
I used CG030 to color over the edge of the CG070 to soften it.
And I used the colorless blender to "color" over the edge of the CG030 to make it blend into the white of the paper.
Step 13: Color The Front Marker Light
I almost forgot to color the front marker light, but luckily I saw it when I was lightening my sketch before coloring the main body.
So I quickly colored it with E080.
Step 14: Color The Main Body Of The Mazda MX5
Next, I colored the main body of the MX-5.
I started by coloring the whole thing with CG030.
Next, I used NG03 to color the reflections.
Lastly, I used CG070 to add some of the darker shadows and reflections. These are mainly below the mirror, behind the front wheel, the bottom edge of the side, and a few small edges on the front.
Step 15: Add Details To Your Mazda MX5 Drawing With Colored Pencils
Now that the MX-5 is fully colored, it could do with some details.
To add those, I used a black and a white colored pencil.
I used the black pencil to color the panel gaps and the antenna on the back. I also used the black pencil to color the Mazda logo on the front.
And I used the white pencil to highlight some edges on the car like the A-pillar and the edge toward the bottom of the side. I also used it to add some reflections to the wheels, the headlights, and the spot below and slightly to the left of the door mirror.
Step 16: Add White Highlights To Your Mazda MX-5 Drawing
To finish this drawing off, I added tons of highlights all over it, just like it has in the reference photo.
To do this I used my Posca PC-3M white paint marker.
These reflections make the car look so much more real, imo.
And that's exactly how I drew this realistic looking Mazda MX-5.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.
Thank you!
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