A rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus includes a plurality of shaping air nozzles disposed on a first circle having its circle center on an axis of rotation of an atomizing head, a plurality of pattern control air nozzles disposed on a second circle having a larger diameter than the first circle. The pattern control air nozzles are located at 3-100 mm on a rear side of the shaping air nozzles and inside a circle having a diameter three times a diameter of the atomizing head. An air passable opening may be formed radially between the shaping air nozzles and the pattern control air nozzles.