Flathead Hot Rod Drawing

This year has been full of Sharpie hot rod drawings, which is quickly becoming a favorite style for me. Last week, I needed a quick and easy sketch and I found it with this flathead hot rod drawing.

The pre-war cars have a lot of complexity in the contours of the body panels and in the details of the mechanicals. Even so, they tend to be the most forgiving to draw. “Hot rods” are usually so chopped, channeled and modified that however the proportions are drawn are usually right – to someone.

Two-dimensional side views are also easier than three-quarter views because depth and perspective matter much less. In times when I just need to scratch out something easy without thought or challenge, 2D side views are the way to go.

I wanted to add an extra element of flavor to this flathead hot rod drawing, so I made the steel wheels red. It adds an extra burst of interest against the black and white drawing. I also added a spark plug logo on the door reminiscent of an old shop truck logo. This helps break up the monotony of the flat door surface and gives something interesting to look at.

Despite the simplicity of this sketch, I’m very proud of the shading and the lighting. The reflections in the chrome and shading in the body give the drawing a more visceral feel.