How to Draw a Double Decker Bus
Learning how to draw a double decker bus starts with simple geometry and a clear side view.
Once you understand the basic proportions, you can turn a boxy outline into a recognizable city transport vehicle with windows, wheels, and structural details.
This guide walks through a practical drawing process using straight lines, perspective, and common bus features so the final sketch looks balanced and believable.
What Makes a Double Decker Bus Distinct?
A double decker bus is a two-level passenger vehicle commonly seen in cities such as London, Hong Kong, and other urban transit systems.
Its defining features are a tall rectangular body, stacked rows of windows, a flat or slightly curved roof, and large wheels positioned low on the chassis.
Before drawing, it helps to observe the bus as a combination of simple forms: a long rectangle for the main body, a smaller upper level, and circles or ovals for the wheels.
This approach makes the subject easier to build accurately.
Materials You Can Use
- Pencil for sketching the initial structure
- Eraser for correcting proportions
- Ruler for straight edges and clean vehicle lines
- Fine pen or marker for outlining
- Colored pencils or digital tools for finishing
You do not need specialized art supplies.
A standard pencil and paper are enough to produce a strong sketch, especially if you focus on shape accuracy and spacing.
Step 1: Draw the Main Body Shape
Start with a long horizontal rectangle to represent the base of the bus.
Keep the shape slightly wider than it is tall, since the vehicle stretches across the road more than it rises.
At this stage, leave room above the rectangle for the upper deck.
If you want a more dynamic look, make the front edge slightly slanted to suggest perspective, but keep the overall silhouette simple.
Step 2: Add the Upper Deck
Draw a second, smaller rectangular section on top of the main body.
This upper deck should follow the same horizontal direction as the lower section and should be centered so the bus looks stable.
Leave a small border around the top edges to represent the roofline and structural frame.
The upper deck is one of the most recognizable parts of a double decker bus, so keep its outline clean and proportionate.
Step 3: Block in the Windows
Windows define the rhythm of the bus and help it look like a passenger vehicle rather than a plain box.
Draw a row of rectangular windows along the upper deck, then add a second row on the lower level.
Keep the windows evenly spaced and similar in size.
If you are drawing a London-style bus, the front upper window may curve slightly with the shape of the vehicle, while the side windows usually remain straight and uniform.
How many windows should you draw?
The number depends on the angle and length of the bus.
A simple side view may show four to six windows on each level, while a three-quarter view will show fewer visible panels because of perspective.
Step 4: Draw the Front and Rear Sections
Add the front face of the bus by connecting the body with a vertical or slightly angled edge.
The front often includes a windshield, headlights, and a destination sign or route display.
For the rear section, close off the body with a flat or slightly rounded back edge.
Many buses have service doors, taillights, and ventilation details at the rear, but you can keep these minimal in a basic sketch.
Step 5: Place the Wheels Correctly
Wheels should sit low on the bus and align with the lower body.
Draw two large circles or ovals for a side view, or more if the perspective reveals additional wheels.
Because a bus is heavy and tall, the wheels should look sturdy and well-supported.
Place the front wheel slightly behind the front edge and the rear wheel near the back third of the vehicle.
If the spacing feels off, adjust it before adding details, since wheel position strongly affects realism.
Step 6: Add Doors, Lines, and Structural Details
Now refine the bus by adding door outlines, trim lines, bumper edges, and body panel divisions.
These features help break up the large surfaces and give the vehicle a manufactured look.
Some double decker buses have a front entrance door, while others use a central or rear door.
Choose the layout that matches the style you want to draw.
Thin horizontal lines can also suggest seams, lower trim, or deck separation.
How to Keep Proportions Looking Realistic
Proportion is the main challenge when learning how to draw a double decker bus.
The bus should be tall enough to show the second level, but not so tall that it appears top-heavy or unstable.
- Keep the lower body longer than the upper deck is tall
- Make windows smaller than the body panels around them
- Leave enough space for wheel arches and ground clearance
- Ensure the roofline remains level unless perspective changes it
If the sketch feels awkward, compare the height of the upper deck to the wheel size.
In most drawings, the wheels should appear large enough to support the bus visually, even if they are partially hidden by the body.
How to Draw a Double Decker Bus in Perspective?
If you want a more advanced drawing, use a three-quarter angle instead of a flat side view.
In perspective, the front edge appears narrower, the far side recedes, and the windows may shorten as they move away from the viewer.
To keep the perspective believable, draw light vanishing lines first and then build the bus around them.
This method helps the roof, windows, and wheel placement stay consistent from front to back.
What should change in perspective?
Several parts should shift naturally: the front face becomes visible, the windows on the far side become narrower, and the wheels may appear slightly oval.
These changes make the bus feel like a real object in space rather than a flat diagram.
Refining the Outline
Once the structure is correct, trace the cleanest lines with a darker pencil or pen.
Remove construction marks slowly so the final outline stays crisp.
Pay attention to straight window edges, smooth wheel curves, and the alignment between the two decks.
If you are using digital software, lower the opacity of the sketch layer and draw the final line art on top.
This is useful for keeping edges sharp and adjusting details without damaging the base structure.
Adding Color and Shading
Double decker buses are often painted in bold colors such as red, yellow, white, or route-specific transit branding.
Use flat color first, then add shading beneath the roof, under the windows, around the wheel arches, and along the lower edge of the chassis.
Light shadowing improves depth.
For example, the underside of the upper deck and the rear corner usually receive less light, while reflective windows may need small bright areas left untouched.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Making the bus body too narrow for its height
- Placing windows unevenly across the decks
- Drawing wheels too small for a vehicle of this size
- Skipping the lower body structure and jumping straight to details
- Using too many curved lines, which can make the bus look less solid
A simple, box-based approach usually works better than trying to draw every detail immediately.
Build the form first, then refine it piece by piece.
Practice Ideas for Better Results
Try drawing the bus from different viewpoints: a clean side profile, a front-facing angle, and a moving street scene with buildings in the background.
You can also practice variations such as an open-top double decker, a vintage bus, or a modern electric transit model.
Repeated practice improves symmetry, spacing, and confidence with vehicle shapes.
The more familiar you become with bus architecture, the easier it is to sketch one quickly and accurately.
