How to Draw a Monster Truck

In this step-by-step tutorial, we want to pay tribute to the mastodons of the world of automobiles and show you how to draw a monster truck.

A monster truck is usually a pick-up truck, modified or specially built with very large wheels, a high-speed suspension, and a very powerful engine.

Such cars are created both for participation in special competitions called monster jam, including off-road racing, jumping over obstacles, and various acrobatic numbers, and for everyday use.

How to draw a Monster Truck: step-by-step tutorial

Step 1 – Sketch the base outline of the monster truck

In one of the previous drawing guides, we showed how to draw a truck. So the first steps of these guides almost coincide. That is, we need to draw the body of the monster truck in the form of a loose sketch. Remember, here you need to indicate the general proportions.

Step 2 – Add oversized wheel arches, bumpers, and windows

And here we already see a strong difference from a usual truck. We are talking about hypertrophied giant wheel arches. Mark them, as well as the window lines and the lights with the same loose lines. Indicate the bumpers at the front and rear with simple rectangular blocks that stick out.

Step 3 – Sketch the massive monster truck wheels

And now, sketch the detail which fundamentally distinguishes this monster truck from any other truck – giant monster wheels. Add them and not a less monstrous suspension. The suspension should be marked with diagonal support lines and vertical struts connecting the wheels to the body. Unlike regular vehicles, these wheels dominate the sketch, so they must look really enormous.

Step 4 – Draw hood, lights, and suspension details

To make the monster truck drawing look like a complete work of art, start detailing it. Following our rules, start with the front, tracing and reinforcing all details. First, strengthen the outline of the hood. Add a rectangular or rounded headlight. Trace the suspension in more detail, with crossbars and shocks visible beneath the front bumper. Additionally, you can mark the visible side edge of the grille area.

Step 5 – Detail the cabin with door and window

The lines of the previous step should be continued with the lines that we will detail in this step. Here, trace out the cabin, including a single monster truck window and door. At the same time, erase construction overlaps from your sketch to keep this section clean.

Step 6 – Draw the monster truck’s rear bed and suspension

The back also strongly distinguishes this car from ordinary trucks. Draw out in detail the cargo bed of the monster truck. Detail the rear suspension with thick vertical bars and angled braces, mirroring the heavy-duty structure at the front. Don’t forget to add the rear bumper.

Step 7 – Refine the giant wheels with tread pattern

The wheels of this monster must also be powerful and impressive. Let’s trace these giant tires, add simple rims and a rough tread pattern. In addition, detail the rest of the suspension. Reinforce the suspension bars around the wheels, showing how the structure connects to the heavy tires.

Step 8 – Complete the drawing with realistic shading

The monster truck drawing is almost complete, but it looks quite flat. To get rid of it and make the picture more voluminous, we need to add shadows and highlights on our monster truck. Apply shading inside the wheel arches, and on the suspension. You can also shade the tires heavily. Additionally, use diagonal hatching on the windows to simulate glare.

Customizing the monster truck

A powerful and cool monster truck is something that catches the eye and makes people feel like jubilant children.

And now you know exactly how to sketch a monster truck, you can surprise your friends and acquaintances with cool drawings of these automobile mastodons.

These vehicles are unique not only because of their massive wheels but also because of their exaggerated proportions and bold stance.

When checking your sketch, make sure the wheels look really oversized compared to the body and that the suspension gives the truck a lifted, powerful appearance.

Unlike ordinary trucks or pickups, monster trucks often include custom bodywork, bright colors, and aggressive detailing.

You can experiment with different designs. For example, you can add flames and stripes to completely new body shapes.

Also, you can make your monster truck sketch look tougher by adding scratches, dents, or small cracks on the body panels. These details suggest the truck has been through rough competitions.

Another way to customize the look is with racing stripes or bold graphics. Flames along the sides, lightning bolts across the hood, or even shark teeth on the bumper will give the truck a more unique look.

To show that the vehicle is built for action, add mud splashes on the body and heavy dirt on the wheels.

You could also sketch a reinforced frame or extra protective bars, especially around the front bumper and roof.

Finally, consider giving your truck a name and writing it in large letters along the side, just like real monster trucks in shows.

Adding smoke from the exhaust pipes or a row of spotlights on the roof will finish the overall look and make the drawing feel more authentic.

Also be sure to check out our pickup truck drawing tutorial where we cover the fundamentals of illustrating these vehicles.

Further truck drawing practice

If you enjoyed working on this monster truck guide, you might also want to try something simpler.

If this guide was too difficult for you, check out our easy monster truck drawing lesson, we show the core proportions and oversized wheels without going too deep into detailing.

You can also look at our main truck drawing tutorial, where we explain the fundamental principles of sketching regular trucks. This guide will give you a solid base before moving on to more advanced body types.

Another interesting option is the flatbed truck tutorial, which shows how to sketch this type with its open platform and completely different proportions compared to regular pickups or their monster versions.

If you want a more complex subject, check out our semi truck drawing guide, where we demonstrate one of the largest versions of this type of vehicle.

And finally, don’t miss our fire truck drawing tutorial, where we go into detail about the special features of this emergency vehicle, such as equipment compartments and the extended ladder structure.

Working with these vehicle body types will help you understand many basic principles as well as details that are important for improving your skills within the framework of today’s topic.