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How to Draw a Wright Flyer

13 steps · Medium · about 10 min

Draw a wright flyer in 13 easy steps, about 10 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.

Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: bottom wing.

Step 1: Bottom wing
Across your paper, a little below the middle, draw a very long thin slanted box with soft corners.
Tip The 2 long sides are flat. The 2 short ends lean the same way.
Step 2: Top wing
Above it draw the same long thin box again, leaving a tall gap between them.
Step 3: Front posts
Start on the front edge of the bottom wing. Draw 5 straight posts up to the top wing.
Tip The first Flyer had no body, just 2 wings held apart by posts.
Step 4: Back posts
Start on the back edge of the bottom wing. Draw 5 posts up and stop under the top wing.
Step 5: Front elevator
In front draw 2 small thin boxes. Start on the lower one, draw 2 posts up, stop at the top.
Tip This little pair of wings steers the plane up and down.
Step 6: Skids
Start under the bottom wing. Draw 2 long lines forward and stop at the top small wing.
Tip The Flyer had no wheels. It slid along on wooden skids.
Step 7: Twin rudders
Up behind the top wing, on the right, draw 2 tall thin slanted boxes side by side.
Step 8: Tail booms
Start on the top wing's back edge. Draw 2 lines to each rudder and stop at its front corners.
Step 9: Two propellers
Between the wings draw 2 propellers: each a tall thin shape, pinched in the middle like a bow.
Tip They sit at the back and push the plane along.
Step 10: The pilot
On the bottom wing draw the pilot lying flat: a round head at the front, then a long body.
Step 11: Cloth wings
Colour both wings, the 2 small front wings and the 2 rudders a pale sandy colour, around the pilot.
Step 12: Wooden propellers
Colour the 2 propellers light brown, like wood.
Step 13: Colour the pilot
Colour the pilot's face peach and his suit dark blue. Go over your lines.