calling all lateral-g artists for a chat

[Hdesign]

I use every medium under the sun but I have been using more photoshop than anything lately. It became a design industry standard quite a while ago. Whether you use a Wacom tablet or good ol' pencil/paper and scanner, linework and perspective are vital to a great rendering. That's something you can't fake and no matter how well you render, something just won't look right.

I actually prefer to do markers, colored pencils, pastels, gouache, etc, but the ability to "undo" and do multiple variations is key to time management on a project. I typically only do it when doing a portrait for a gift or something that won't need adjustments.

[mlomaka]

Thanks Ben. Those were my thoughts. That is why I would like to learn to go digital. It would also help in storage as they would not smudge & the digital markers would not bleed. I totally agree about perspective. You have to have a good solid form in proper perspective along with good proportions for it to look right. I guess I know what I'm am going to have to do, but I am interested in what everyone else is using.

[ZVT]

Mike I use photoshop cs3 and sometimes I would use Xara.I also have a wacom intuos 3 tablet.Most of my work is done from the software as I am hopeless at pencils and markers.

It really all depends on what you're comfortable with I tried illustrator and couldnt get the hang of it cus i started out using photoshop and know the program well. So go with what you know.

I would suggest you maybe buy thom taylor's "how to draw cars like a pro" and How to draw cars the hot wheels way(cant think of the name or author right now)
Both have good tutorials on digital rendering also check out these tuts.

http://www.designertechniques.com/na.../tutorials.htm

http://husseindesign.deviantart.com/...III-I-35243447

Zee

[CarterHickmanDesigns]

I have several DVDs from the gnomon workshop.

Cool Car DVD's

For production work, digital is the way to go......

Carter

[mlomaka]

Great links guys! This is one my brother sent me.

http://www.fengzhudesign.com/

He does digitally how I do the old fashioned way. He also goes backwards from the majority of what I have heard and uses only a couple of layers, but he also shows how to use the wakum tablet. Here is a link to a teacher I had while at the Columbus College of Art & Design (although he hasn't had time to go digital either.).

http://www.jdorr.com/

Again, thanks for the great links.

[city_ofthe_south]

Originally Posted by mlomaka

Thanks. I know there is a lot out there. I guese that is sort of why I was asking. I would like to start doing digital, I was just wanting to see if there is one program that is easier to use than others. I know it has to do with how familiar you are with a program. I have access to photoshop, but the guide is the size of a phone book. A little intimidating. Also, I am curious to see how many people use a wakum (spelling?) tablet. I can't figure out how you can draw on the computer and get the proportions right. I have a friend who draws the car by hand, then scans it & does all the work on computer. I figured I would start there. Just seeing what other approaches there are.

oh, yeah. i sketch the car first and scan it (or take a digital pic cause my scanner is small). i think any digital art starts this way ... at least kinda. i'm pretty sure if you want to really "draw" on screen as if you're sketching, you need a large tablet. I have a small wacom that I just use for digital "painting" like in photoshop because it doesn't really need to be large for that. I find sketching to be awkward with the tablet though because when i sketch i turn my paper completely upside down, on its side, at funny angles ... all sorts of stuff. the tablet doesn't lend itself to that much. i use 2 monitors so i have illustrator open on the left with my sketch placed in it, then ref pics on the right screen open in PS. I don't really use the ref pics A LOT in the drawing(by drawing i mean in Illustrator) portion, mostly for how I want my coloring to look but they're good for both and to keep me on track. photoshop doesn't make your art look a certain way, so if i was you i'd give it a shot. it can give you so many looks and just one little trick you pick up can be something no one else is really doing EVEN though they use the same "medium" technically. That makes it pretty fun. you can go from very conceptual looking to hyper photorealistic using techniques that are actually pretty similar. anyway, my sketches are really rough and don't show much. it's like you were already thinking, for some of us (*cough* ME *cough*) getting proportions right is tricky and I have to use the sketch to work out the kinks THEN go digital from there.

[JayR]

I grew up on Taylor, Stanford and Foose so I went right to pen and ink and have tried to develop my own style and look.

I like the warmth and feel of a hand-drawn rendering and I have a low tolerance for using the computer so it's half don't want to and half can't do it.

There's some neat varieties of looks from digital formats and I really appreciate the various styles and techniques because of all the different software available but I have to say that nothing beats a Stanford rendering. It is fine art and nothing less.

[JayR]

Originally Posted by city_ofthe_south

I sure am glad you got in on this Brian. I think if there are any new artists reading, they're getting some great help and I'm getting answers to all sorts of questions. Thanks to everyone and I hope even more of the "big wigs" chime in soon. With any luck, prospective clients will read through this too and see how fair and professional everyone is here and maybe realize that everyone has to start somewhere.

You said it! Brian is all-pro and an all around great guy. He has a great style and a very wise business savvy that a lot of us creative types don't possess.

It's very cool of Scott to help support the arts and for us to have a virtual sit down like this and get to know other guys in the business.

[Hdesign]

Originally Posted by JayR

You said it! Brian is all-pro and an all around great guy. He has a great style and a very wise business savvy that a lot of us creative types don't possess.

It's very cool of Scott to help support the arts and for us to have a virtual sit down like this and get to know other guys in the business.

Ditto on both accounts! Though, I think you're being modest Jason...you've got one hell of a following as well for good reason!


Also, you're right on the money when it comes to inspiration. (Taylor/Stanford/Foose) are 3 of the primary reasons why I started doing this.

[ottatyme]

Thanks Jason! There is good reason for the following you have! (Ben, good word on that! It IS like some following!) Man, you have been INSTRUMENTAL in my getting going on the right foot, and it's a pleasure to have you as a friend. (you'll get the "good" Christmas card this year.)

Ben, you're a tremendously talented guy, as well, and it was a pleasure to meet you last year!

I'm no business prodigy... Without my wife, I'd be eating leftovers from a dumpster someplace. All I know is what a wise man (and great artist!) told me: "Sell YOURSELF. Promote YOURSELF. Believe in what you can do, and successs will come." Still working on that last part...

Thanks, as well, to Scott for providing an arena in which to hve these impromptu round-tables. We have a community loaded with great talent, and it's of benefit to all involved. Clients can choose from a list of great talent and personalities, and we get to know one another, and have a sounding board for ideas that share the same passion and livelihood. I'm flat-out stoked to be in such company. (...and Steve has a smorgasboard to choose from for Dream Cars!)

Anyway, with the diverse styles here, I can say that I learn something each time I see a piece from all of you... little tricks that make me say "Cool! Why didn't I think of that?!" ...and in that sharing of ideas and techniques, I think we all push even further in our work.

My first influence (besides not liking Math class) was Charlie Smith... that man has vision, and such a clean technique... And is a great friend, as well. Thom Taylor, Steve Stanford, Jim Smith... all were like heroes (OK, still are...) to me. Today, with guys like Chip Foose --IMO, one of the greatest things to happen to this industry-- the new kids in this field have more great work to inspire, and the bar is continually raised.

My work starts as a series of pencil roughs, and eventually gets scanned in, and re-worked digitally... This technique is part necessity and part convenience, as it allows for some changes to be made without a lot of drama, and reetains the original, hand-drawn look.

I was a Fine Art major in school, and the value in that was having a TON of drawing classes... my best advice to the new guys is DRAW, DRAW, DRAW.... OBSERVE, and then DRAW MORE. Draw coats. Draw trees... hinges, mechanical stuff, organic stuff... there is no better tool in your arsenal than being able to draw. I keep a notebook handy at all times, and fill it with notes, ideas, sketches... my wife is adept at grabbing it while we're driving and I yell out thoughts like "89 Camry markers for the blue car!". I take looooooooong walks in the wrecking yard, making notes, studying shapes, measuring parts. Research and reference materials are king in this game. What's a '60 Edsel heater control look like? I can find one in my library. Will I need that? Maybe someday. There are always great books on the discount rack at Barnes and Noble. Pick some up.

My work history was mostly in auto parts and body repair, so I know contours, parts, scale... all things I apply to every design. Again, observation is great, no only when drawing, but also when understanding your client's needs and wishes...

Man, I've been carrying on... I stop here.

Thanks again guys, and everyone, keep up the great work!