How to Draw a Nissan GTR R35- Easy-to-Follow Tutorial

Skill Level: Beginner. Time Needed: 3 Hours.

Follow along with this tutorial and draw your own realistic-looking Nissan GTR.

I've broken up the full process into detailed and easy-to-follow steps so you can easily follow along and create this beautiful drawing yourself.

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 to Draw a Nissan GTR R35?

To make a realistic drawing of a Nissan GTR, first gather a few reference photos for the perspective, proportions, lighting, reflections, and color.

After that, create a sketch of the outline of the car using the grid method.

Next, color the car with alcohol markers starting with the black and the grey parts, before moving on to the main body of the GTR.

Lastly, add some details with colored pencils and highlights with a Posca paint marker.

Step 1: Look for Reference Photos of Nissan GTRs

I started this drawing like I do with any other car drawing: I searched for reference photos.

Using reference photos is a must if you want to create a realistic car drawing. They help you see how the light reflects on the car and they provide a guide for the proportions.

I look for 3 specific reference photos: 1 for the angles and the proportions, 1 for the reflections, and 1 or the color.

I used the photo below as a reference for the proportions.

I used this photo as a reference for the reflections.

And I used this photo as a rough color reference.

Step 2: Choose Your Drawing Supplies

Next, I choose what drawing supplies I want to use for this drawing. 

I wanted to keep this drawing simple, so I chose to use alcohol markers. I used Winsor & Newton Promarkers in the colors Ice Grey 1 (IG1), Ice Grey 2 (IG2), Ice Grey 4 (IG4), Ice Grey 7 (IG7), Blue Black (XBB), and Black (XB).

I also used a few Ohuhu Honolulu markers in the colors Light Holly Green (G410), Viridian (V490), and Green (G390). I also used the colorless blender marker.

I made this paper on Canson Illustration Manga paper as it is the best marker paper I have tried.

To add the details I used 3 Derwent Coloursoft colored pencils: White, Dove Grey, and Black.

To add highlights I used a White Posca PC-3M.

I also used the more standard drawing supplies: a ruler, an eraser, a kneaded eraser, and an HB pencil.

Step 3: Sketch the Outline of the Nissan GTR R35

Now it's time to start sketching the car.

To make sketching the car with accurate proportions a lot easier, I used a technique called te grid method. You can read more about it here.

I started by resizing the reference photo for the proportions to the same size as my paper which is 29,7 by 21 cm or 3508 by 2480 pixels.

Then, I added a grid overlay of 15 by 10.5 squares on the photo and marked the grid squares I needed for the sketch.

Next, I recreated that grid on my piece of paper. Each grid square is 2 by 2 cm and I only sketched the squares necessary for the sketch. However, if you're new to this technique, I recommend sketching all squares as this is a lot easier and you are less likely to make mistakes.

After that, I finally started sketching the car itself.

I always start on the left of the car. I chose a line I wanted to sketch, marked where it starts, where it crosses grid lines, and where it ends, and then I sketched it in one swift motion.

I continued this for every part of the outline of the Nissan GTR.

Step 4: Sketch the Details and Reflections of the Nissan GTR R35

Next, I started sketching all the details like the headlights, the windshield, etc.

I used the same steps as I did for the outline. I chose a line, marked where it starts, ends, and crosses grid lines, and then drew the line in one quick motion.

Next, I also sketched the wheels.

I first sketched the outside rim and I marked where the center is. I also sketched a pentagon around the center.

Then, I sketched a short line straight towards the outside rim on each visible corner of the pentagon. From there I sketched the rest of the spokes. From each short line, 2 longer spokes connect to the outside rim in a V-shape.

After that, I added some more details to the wheels.

Lastly, I roughly marked out the reflections on the GTR.

Step 5: Color All Pure Black Parts of the Nissan GTR R35

The first things I like to color when drawing a car are all the pure black spots.

They are super easy and coloring them makes the drawing look less intimidating to me.

I just look at the reference photo for the reflections, look for every black spot, and color them on my drawing.

Step 6: Color the Wheels of the Nissan GTR R35

Before I started coloring the rest of the GTR, I lightly erased my sketch until it was only just about visible by rolling my kneaded eraser across the parts I wanted to color. This prevents the sketch from showing through the ink. I did this for every part I colored.

Next, I colored the wheels.

I started by coloring both of them with Ice Grey 4.

After that, I added some darker values and details with Ice Grey 7.

Step 7: Color the Shadow Below the Nissan GTR R35

Next, I colored the shadow underneath the Nissan GTR.

I started by coloring the whole shadow with Ice Grey 1.

Then, I added a stroke of Ice Grey 4 between the Ice Grey 1 and the Black.

Lastly, I blended the grey tones together to form a smooth gradient.

I started by blending the black into the grey by coloring over the edge of the two colors with Ice Grey 7.

Then, I blended the Ice Grey 7 into the Ice Grey 4 by coloring over the edge of the two colors with Ice Grey 4.

After that, I blended the edge of the Ice Grey 4 and the Ice Grey 1 by coloring over it with Ice Grey 1.

And lastly, I blended the Ice Grey 1 into the white of the paper by coloring over the edge with the colorless blender marker.

Step 8: Color the Front Splitters and Side Grills of the Nissan GTR R35

After that, I colored the front splitters and the side grills.

I first colored the splitters with Ice Grey 4 as well as the outside of the lights in the grills.

Then, I used Ice Grey 7 to color the left splitter and a small part on the top right of the right splitter.

I also used Ice Grey 1 to color the lights in the grills.

Step 9: Color the Main Grill of the Nissan GTR R35

Next, I colored the main grill.

I started by coloring the lightest parts with Ice Grey 2 which are mainly at the top of the grill.

After that, I used Ice Grey 4 to add a darker grey line just below the GTR logo and I also darkened the bottom half the the R in the logo.

Lastly, I used Ice Grey 7 to color the rest of the grill. And I used Blue Black to add a dark reflection to the left and I blended that Blue Black from the right into the Ice Grey 7 on the left.

Step 10: Color the Headlights of the Nissan GTR R35

Next up, I colored the headlights.

I first colored both headlights with Ice Grey 1.

After that, I used Ice Grey 2 to darken everything but the lightest parts of the lights.

Then, I used Ice Grey 4 to add some details to both lights.

Lastly, I used Ice Grey 7 to add more details and some darker shadows to the right headlight.

Step 11: Color the Door Mirrors of the Nissan GTR R35

After that, I colored the door mirrors.

I started by coloring them both with Ice Grey 2.

Next, I used Ice Grey 4 to darken them while leaving a small lighter grey edge toward the top and I blended that edge out with the Ice Grey 2 marker.

Lastly, I used Ice Grey 7 to darken both headlights a bit more while, again, leaving a lighter edge toward the top of the mirrors and blending that edge out with Ice Grey 4.

Step 12: Color the Windshield of the Nissan GTR R35

Next up, I colored the windshield.

I first colored the side window and the rear window which are visible through the windshield with Ice Grey 2.

After that, I used Ice Grey 4 to color the rest of the window.

And lastly, I used Ice Grey 7 to add some darker shadows and reflections to the parts I just colored with IG4.

Step 13: Color the Side Windows of the Nissan GTR R35

Next, I colored the side windows, first with Ice Grey 2.

And then I added some darker details with Ice Grey 4 and lightened those by coloring over them with the Ice Grey 2 marker.

Step 14: Color the Air Intakes on the Hood of the Nissan GTR R35

After that, I colored the edge around both air intakes on the hood of the GTR with Ice Grey 4.

Step 15: Color the Main Body of the Nissan GTR R35

Now that all black and grey parts are done, it's time to color the main body of the car.

I like to start by marking out the areas where the slightest shade of green is. For this I used G410.

After that, I colored the rest of the car with G490. I also blended this color into the lighter green on the hood.

Lastly, I used G390 to add the darkest shades of green and to refine the reflections and shadows.

I carefully looked at the reference photo for the reflections to see where they were darkest and how these reflections curved around the body of the Nissan GTR.

Step 16: Add Details to the Nissan GTR R35 Drawing

Next up, I added tons of details around the car with the White, Dove Grey, and Black colored pencils.

I first added some reflections and highlights with the white colored pencil all over the car, but mainly the edges of the body.

Then, I used the Dove Grey pencil to also add reflections and refine the wheels

Lastly, I used the Black pencil to add the darkest details on the car, mainly in the headlights, the wheels, and panel gaps.

Step 17: Add White Highlights to the Nissan GTR R35 Drawing

To finish the drawing off, I used the white Posca paint marker to add some white highlights to the car.

And That's How I Made This Nissan GTR

I hope this was helpful to you!

Thank you for taking the time to read (and follow) this tutorial!

Leave a comment with what other cars you want me to make tutorials for!

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Luuk Minkman

Artist, Blogger and Coder

I'm an artist and I draw realistic cars with alcohol markers and colored pencils. I have been doing so for a decade now. On my blog, you can find all you need to know to learn how you can draw realistic cars yourself. I have studied at uni twice and also quit twice to pursue my dream of owning a Porsche 911 and a Ferrari 812. Let's hope this works out🤞. Follow me on Instagram.