How to Draw Diners

This diner promises good times and good food. Every detail of this building -- from the windows to the signage -- brings to mind the classic diners of the 1950s.

Learn how to draw this diner.
Learn how to draw this diner.

In this section, we'll show you how to draw this diner. You can draw it freehand while looking at your computer monitor, or you can print out this page to get a closer look at each step.

Here, we'll show you an illustration of each step and then give you a description of how to draw it. Follow the red lines in each illustration to learn exactly what to draw in that step. The lines drawn in previous steps are shown in gray.

Use perspective and vanishing points to establish the basic shape of the diner.

Step 1: Use the exercise on perspective and vanishing points to establish the basic shape of the diner.

To draw a diner, sketch the shape of the windows, door, and side details.

Step 2: Sketch the shape of the windows, door, and side details using the rules on drawing lines that are parallel to the basic structure found in the introductory exercise. Add curly details to the roof as shown.

To draw a diner, separate the windows with straight single and double lines.

Step 3: Establish the sign over the diner and the stairs using the rules on vanishing points. Draw the shape of the stairs using three lines that meet at the right-hand side. Add steps with straight lines. Separate the windows with straight single and double lines. Draw two rectangles for the glass in the door. Add odd-shaped figures for the pipes on the roof as shown.

To draw a diner, add horizontal lines in the windows for the shades.

Step 4: Print the name of the diner on the sign. Detail the roof with four curved lines and odd-shaped figures. Draw horizontal lines in the windows for the shades. Add a short vertical line ending in a blackened circle underneath. Detail the side and front with double lines.

Draw curves at the top and bottom of the door and two horizontal lines in the middle. Use straight vertical and horizontal lines for the banister. Add a line parallel with the bottom of the front of the building for the parking lot. Extend parallel straight lines for the parking spaces.

To finish your drawing of a diner, shade the pipes on the roof with diagonal lines.

Step 5: Shade the pipes on the roof with diagonal lines. Add grillwork to the windows with intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. Finish the banister with vertical lines. Add blackened lines to the sign and parking spots for shading.

Your drawing is finished! Even if you don't get it right the first time, keep practicing until you're happy with your drawing.

Every bustling metropolis boasts skyscapers of all sizes. Learn how to draw a skyscraper in only four steps in the next section.

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