How to Draw a Tesla Roadster

In this tutorial you will learn how to draw a Tesla Roadster, one of the most advanced electric cars that combines incredible speed with futuristic design.

The Tesla Roadster shows how the era of traditional gasoline vehicles is giving way to economical, powerful, and modern electric models.

As one of Tesla’s most striking creations, the Roadster is not only about performance but also about design.

Its flowing lines and aerodynamic proportions make it look like a true piece of automotive art, and in this lesson we’ll guide you step by step through the process of sketching it.

How to draw a Tesla Roadster: step-by-step

Step 1 – Mark the supercar’s flowing futuristic body shape

The Tesla Roadster is a car that is the pinnacle of engineering. This is expressed also in the aerodynamic body, which we will have to sketch in this step. Begin by laying down the fundamental gesture of the car. Use long, uninterrupted strokes to draw the Tesla Roadster teardrop silhouette, with its nose tapering low and the roofline sliding seamlessly into the back area.

Step 2 – Add the slim glass and oversized wheel shapes

The wheels of the Tesla Roadster are very large and the window line is very narrow, which is quite standard for any sports car. First, draw two oversized circles for the Tesla Roadster wheels. Then trace the glass band as a razor-thin strip that stretches across the cabin. Don’t forget to lightly indicate the lamp positions.

Step 3 – Mark the single coupe door, arches, and rims

Frame the wheels with large wheel arches and depict the door (since it’s a sports car, draw only one door on this side). As you can see, there are no mirrors here, as their function is performed by cameras. Use firm curved strokes to shape these details. Within the wheel guides, drop in circles to establish the future rim placement.

Step 4 – Refine the Roadster’s smooth front fascia

In the third step, we completed sketching the loose sketch of the electric vehicle. To turn this sketch into a complete car drawing, trace it starting from the front. First, draw out the Tesla Roadster nose with precise. Avoid unnecessary ornamentation – Tesla’s design language relies on minimalism.

Step 5 – Draw the flat sloping Roadster roof

Now let’s detail the flat, sloping roof and stylish narrow window line. By the way, pay attention to how unusually the car looks without such usual details as mirrors. Follow the arc of the roofline with continuous strokes to trace this part. Reinforce the ultra-narrow glass are.

Step 6 – Detail the Tesla’s futuristic rear part

The back of the car looks quite normal, despite the fact that this is probably the most unusual car. Draw out the rear deck with clean and smooth lines, finalizing this part of the Tesla Roadster. Define the taillight, then add the diffuser with heavier, darker lines. Even though the layout feels conventional, Tesla’s design keeps it futuristic through surface purity.

Step 7 – Refine the minimal side body panels

Tesla Roadster tries to keep minimalism in general and in detail. Let’s trace a few details on the side of the electric vehicle, including the door and stylish horizontal lines. Clarify the door outline with deliberate strokes. Add a subtle crease line running horizontally. Keep the surfaces smooth and taut, avoiding over-articulation.

Step 8 – Draw the original Tesla rim design

And this is the most difficult part in the Tesla Roadster drawing tutorial. Draw out the round wheels and detail the original Tesla rims as in our illustration below. Inside the wheel circles, construct the rims with a curves spoke design. Tesla often uses turbine-inspired patterns, so draw symmetrical blades with subtle curvature.

Step 9 – Add simple hatching for basic volume

Our Tesla drawing looks very stylish, and it remains to add a bit of volume and naturalness. In order to achieve this goal, simply draw shadows and highlights on the surfaces of your Tesla Roadster. You can add tonal gradation on the panels to simulate how light glides across their smooth curvature. After adding subtle shadows and highlights, the sketch shifts from a flat outline to a three-dimensional finished drawing.

Making the Tesla Roadster look more dimensional

So, dear friends, another drawing guide has been completed, and we are sure that in its end you have learned how to draw a Tesla Roadster.

At the final stage of the tutorial, the Tesla Roadster is shown with a simple base layer of hatching, but there are several ways to refine the drawing and bring it closer to a professional design sketch.

One approach is to develop the shading into a more complex structure by introducing mid-tones. This can be done by layering cross-hatching at different angles to gradually build dimension and volume.

Areas that were left unshaded in the basic version can be filled in lightly to avoid flat surfaces, making the entire form appear more three-dimensional.

Highlights are another key element. By leaving thin, crisp white areas along the roofline, windshield, and the upper edges of the fenders, you can simulate the glossy reflections typical of automotive paint.

Adding controlled gradients and more sophisticated reflections, for example, horizontal bands across the side panels that mimic the environment, will give the Tesla Roadster drawing a realistic design rendering quality.

Alternatively, instead of developing the hatchwork, you can switch to color rendering. Using a flat color palette is the simplest approach, applying solid fills to represent the body, glass, and trim.

A more advanced method is to treat the drawing like a concept sketch, applying tonal values in marker, gouache, or digital media.

This allows you to replicate the play of light and shadow on the car’s surfaces, showing specular highlights and deeper shadows without relying on hatching.

More Tesla drawing tutorials

If you enjoyed working on the futuristic shapes of the Tesla Roadster, you may also want to try drawing other electric cars. A good option is our Tesla Model S drawing tutorial, where you can practice sketching a sedan with similar flowing proportions.

The next option is our Tesla Model 3 drawing tutorial. This car belongs to a lower segment compared to the S, with a shorter body, simpler equipment, and a more minimalistic character. It shares the same design language, including smooth body transitions and a minimalistic front end.

You can also try the Tesla Model X drawing tutorial. This crossover stands out with its taller proportions and unique falcon-wing doors. The higher roofline, large wheel arches, and strong side volume require a different approach to proportion, especially when combining SUV mass with Tesla’s minimalistic and futuristic surfaces.