Michael Mauer is Porsche’s head of design since 2004. He’s the man responsible for pretty much all Porsche models you see today, from the Porsche Cayenne to the 918 Spyder.

As we’re all under the Movement Control Order (MCO), perhaps you’ve been thinking of attempting some car sketches of your own. But where do you even begin? Well, Michael Mauer is sharing some of the tricks.

First you start with the wheels. One of the challenges of drawing a car is defining the wheelbase and the correct proportions. So it is a bit of trial and error.

Once the wheels are in place, draw the line between the wheels and start to build up the car’s outline from there. Sometimes you’ll realize the silhouette and the wheelbase don’t match, but that’s no problem. It’s why we have erasers.

Then you add the details, step by step. Windows, door, headlamp, taillamp, etc. Sketching a car is all about adding layers, gently adding more detail. The biggest challenge is always to stop sketching: sometimes a sketch is nicer when you apply the “less is more” principle.

It is all about creating a three-dimensional feel with varying thickness of the lines. If you look at photos of cars from the side profile, you’ll get an idea of the lines that add depth to the car. Try to imitate those to bring your sketch to life.

Next is to add shadow and contrast. This is to give an idea of which surfaces reflect more light. Then you add colour. In this example, it’s blue. The blue colour on the upper part of the car reflects the sky, while below the line, where it’s darker, the floor is reflected. This creates the impression of the car being grounded.

Moving on to the wheels and windows. You start by colouring them black at first, then you add the highlights with subtle changes in colour for that curvature and three-dimensional look.

Once you’ve completed the sketch and whether it turned out the way you wanted it to or not, Mauer encourages you to keep it. Mauer says, “Sometimes I think ‘oh that is horrible’ or ‘oh I had a bad day this day’ but design is always about trial and error and I encourage anyone to pick up a pencil and have a go.”