How to Draw an Airplane (Easy Step by Step)
An airplane is a fun first drawing because it is mostly simple shapes with a few curves. You will use a big oval for the body, circles for the windows and wheel, and leaf shapes for the wing and propeller. Once you can draw this one, you can change the colors to make your own.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw an airplane step by step
How to Draw an Airplane · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The body
Draw a big, wide oval lying on its side, like a plump egg or a jelly bean. This is the main body of the plane.
Step 3: The tail fin
At the top of the left end of the body, draw a tall, slim shape like a leaning triangle with a rounded top. Let its bottom touch the oval.
Step 4: The wing
Under the middle of the body, draw a curvy shape like a big leaf or a bent finger hanging down. Start the line on the bottom of the oval, swoop down and around, then come back up to the oval.
Step 5: The cockpit window
Near the front of the plane, draw a small shape like a slice of pie, with a straight bottom and one straight side. The curved side faces the nose.
Step 6: The round windows
Draw three small circles in a row in the middle of the body, to the left of the cockpit window. Try to make them all about the same size, with the same small gap between them.
Step 7: The propeller
At the very front of the plane, draw a small circle for the middle. Then add a skinny leaf shape pointing up and another pointing down, so it looks like a fan.
Step 8: The landing wheel
Under the body near the front, draw a short straight line going down. Finish it with a small circle at the bottom for the wheel.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your airplane? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a sailboat or how to draw a planet next.
Tips for drawing an airplane
- Start the body oval nice and big, because the tail, wing, and wheel all attach to it. Draw it lightly first so you can fix the shape.
- The wing is the trickiest part. Think of drawing a leaf that hangs down from the belly of the plane, and keep both ends touching the body.
- For the three round windows, draw the middle one first, then one on each side. That helps keep them evenly spaced and in a straight row.
Free airplane coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this airplane coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your airplane drawing
Try a red or blue body, with light blue windows and a yellow propeller. You can also color the tail fin and wing in a different color from the body, or add stripes.
Airplane fun fact for kids
The Wright brothers made the first powered airplane flight on December 17, 1903. It lasted 12 seconds and covered about 120 feet.
Questions about drawing an airplane
What shapes do I need to draw an airplane?
You need one big oval for the body, three small circles for the windows, and a small circle for the wheel. The tail is a leaning triangle, and the wing and propeller blades are leaf shapes.
Where does the propeller go?
The propeller goes at the very front of the plane, on the nose. Draw a small circle first, then a skinny leaf pointing up and another pointing down.
How do I draw the wing so it looks right?
Start at the bottom of the body, curve down like a leaf, and come back up to meet the body again. If it looks lopsided, erase and try again with a lighter line.
