How to Draw a Semi-Truck

We mainly show you how to sketch smaller truck, but now we want to illustrate another type and show how to draw a semi-truck.

The main distinguishing feature of this type of transport is that you can attach and unhitch a cargo trailer from the main part. This allows attaching different trailers, including super long ones, to transport large loads.

Such a method of transportation greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of transportation, because at one time a truck can carry a lot of weight in one direction, change a trailer and go in the opposite direction with a different load.

In this semi-truck drawing tutorial, we decided to illustrate it without a trailer. But at the very end of the guide we will describe how to add it.

How to draw a semi-truck: step-by-step tutorial

Step 1 – Roughly sketch the overall silhouette

Outline the general silhouette of the semi-truck. Use simple, light lines without worrying about perfect accuracy, as you will refine them later. Here you need to mark the tall cab and the long chassis base. The shape should convey the size and power.

Step 2 – Draw out front of the semi-truck

Sketch the front wheel arch and the fender above it. Add the visible part of the bumper and the tall radiator grille. The grille should look large and vertical, as this is typical for semi-trucks. Don’t forget the small step near the arch, which is essential for climbing into the cab. At this stage, you can also hint at the headlight within the bumper.

Step 3 – Add the exhaust pipe and glasses

Draw the front windshield and the side window of the semi-truck cab. Because of the truck’s size, these windows should look relatively small. Next, add a tall exhaust pipe rising vertically near the side window. Make the pipe’s top edge slanted. You can also sketch a mirror bracket along the side for more realism.

Step 4 – Draw the cab door and fuel tank

Depict the cab door with straight lines. Add the vertical air cleaner near the door to the side of the cab. Below, sketch the fuel tank as a long horizontal rectangle. A door handle or hinge lines may also be added for detail.

Step 5 – Draw three rows of the semi-truck wheels

Place the wheels in three separate rows to show the typical heavy-duty configuration. Since the truck is viewed from the side, only the near-side wheels are visible. The front wheel should be slightly separated from the rear two sets. Then, add smaller circles inside the tire shapes to indicate the rim outlines.

Step 6 – Mark the bolt pattern within the wheels

Inside each wheel, draw a central circle for the hub. Surround it with six or nine smaller circles to represent the bolts. Keep the spacing even. Check that all wheels and details of the rims have the same size and shape. Adding a light rim outline will make the wheels more convincing.

Step 7 – Erase construction lines and sharpen the outline

Remove all unnecessary guidelines and strengthen the final lines of the truck. Clean, confident contours will give the semi-truck drawing a finished look. If you notice errors, adjust the proportions before continuing. At this stage, you can add shadows. A cast shadow beneath the truck will help to make the sketch look even more realistic.

Further semi-truck drawing practice

Large American trucks have a very recognizable appearance, with massive cabs and long extended front sections.

Now try applying the skills you’ve learned to sketch a large European truck, which features a shorter, more vertically oriented cab.

You can also add a long cargo section attached to the rear of your truck, including extra details or lettering on the body to make the drawing more realistic.

Of course, a big truck is not the only type of vehicle available on our site. Be sure to visit our main truck drawing tutorial, where we cover the core principles that apply not only to heavy-duty trucks like the one in this lesson but also to pickup trucks.

You should also take a look at our easy truck drawing guide, where the same basics are presented in an easier form adapted for kids.

We also strongly advise you to go to the Trucks category, where you will find drawing guides of a wide variety of trucks of various brands.