AF Sketching and Drawing FAQ

[Zcaithaca]

The S&D forum finally has an FAQ!!!

Click the link to view a question!

I hope you like it!

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***Please help me, "How do I post my drawings here
and what do I do if they are too big for AF.com?"***

Image Source, Pictures: cars (racing, drifting, exotic, classic and etc),
transportation, objects, images to make backgrounds, inspiration and etc.

Are there any art Tutorials online? Where can I find them?
This is our main page for tutorials

Are books important? What do I need to read?


Should I go buy all the books I can on drawing?


What are some good books for artists?


What should i do about painting? Are there any books
on painting cars?


Why do I have to worry about in terms of copyright laws?

How do I sell my art? Learning the businesss of art
Great tips from our local professionals page 1, books listed on page 2


How do I color and shade my drawings?


What kind of markers should I use and how many should I have?


What kind and size of paper should i use?


What is gouache paint for? How do i use it?


What are stumps and Tortillions?


How do I draw realistic shadows?


Can I use colored pencils for color drawings?


How do I draw realistic Headlights?


How do I draw 5-Spoke wheels?


How do I draw realistic rims/tires?


How do I post pics onto AF?


Why do I see red Xs when I try to post pictures?

[Zcaithaca]

Are books important? What do I need to read?

If you are not a reader you need to become one. I never read books while I was in high school, but while in the Air Force I started to read. Read magazines that are interesting to you.
Reading really makes you a better person. I read all kinds of art technique books even ones about subjects I am not interested in because you never know what you can gain and apply to autos. I read books about many topics other than art too.

What I have found about art books in particular, car art books. Is that they are not complete (meaning you must read from many.)
Remember read with the goal of, “What can I take away from this book and apply to what I want to draw, render, paint, etc." Another thing, don’t get stuck in a certain medium. Always expand yourself and experiment. Try paint, markers, pastel, etc. Don’t stay with just pencil. That is just my opinion, but take it for what it is worth.

[Zcaithaca]

Should I go buy all the books I can on drawing?


Read reviews and try to check these out from you library first. Just don’t go out and buy them because you might not like them. Many can be found at Barnes & Nobles. Review them there and then purchase them from Amazon.com because they are cheaper. You can also get them from your Library. Remember if they do not have them ask the library to purchase them. Libraries can also get them from other non-local libraries called inter-library loans. You can also think about joining a book club.

[Zcaithaca]

What are some good books for artists?


The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
A great book, very in depth but will improve your drawing ability.

How to Draw Life Like Portraits from Photographs by Lee Hammond
A good book about the grid technique and shading, shading is what gives your subject (cars) realism

Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil by J.D. Hillberry.
A very good book, highly technical and the author assumes you can already draw

How to Draw Cars Like a Pro by Thom Taylor
A great book for using color application I do believe it could have gone into more detail.

Drawing and Painting Racing Cars by Michael Turner
This is a good book for inspiration. It has some demonstrations but I believe it to be a more advance source.

[Zcaithaca]

What should I do about painting? Are there any books on painting cars?


Painting will require much research and practice. You will have to read books about painting that don’t necessarily talk about cars. For instance:

Painting Spectacular Light Effects in Water Color by Paul Jackson
This book covers painting buildings, glass, and metallic objects etc. That could be applied to rendering cars. Look for ways to apply what you read.

Look for books that cover painting styles in realism.


Paint Radiant Realism in Water Color, Ink and Colored Pencil by Sueelleen Ross

Look for books that cover painting styles in realism.

[Zcaithaca]

What do I have to worry about in terms of copyright laws and selling my artwork?


Some things you might use to prevent violating copyright laws are:
Take your own pictures (don’t use photos out of magazines, books, ect…)
Ask the author of the book if it is okay to use the photographs.
For more information, these books and websites are helpful:

Legal Guide for the Visual Artist Fourth Edition By Tad Crawford
http://www.fplc.edu/tfield/CopyVis.htm
http://www.copyright.gov/
http://www.contactmylawyer.com/copyrighttrademark.html
http://www.southbaygallery.com/copyright.htm

More Links pls check them out too (copyrights)
http://artpapa.com/artforum/viewtopic.php?t=1284

The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide Third Edition by Monona Rossol


Links to online safety about art (scroll down)
http://www.khake.com/page42.html

[Zcaithaca]

Are there any art tutorials online? What are they?

AutomotiveForums Tutorial links page (art and drawing).
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=235850

I think this is the mother of all online sources for artists. Don’t forget to scroll down. This site covers art education, careers in visual arts, tutorials, and many other related topics.
http://www.khake.com/page42.html

http://www.sibleyfineart.com/index.htm?tipsndx.htm
This is the best one I have found. There are lots of tutorials so make sure to check them out.

http://homepages.tesco.net/~p.wilkinson/
UPDATE: http://monologues.co.uk/Portraits/Index.html
More nice tutorials

YellowDoor tutorials using Adobe Illustrator
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t108575.html
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t108576.html

[Zcaithaca]

How do I shade and color my drawings?


These do not have the best pictures put I tried to explain the best I could.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t104303.html
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t103473.html

[Zcaithaca]

Finally on to materials!

[Zcaithaca]

What markers should I use and how many should I have?


I use Prisma Color markers (don't buy sets buy the colors you need)
if your local store does not have the colors you want order them online.
I used www.misterart.com try to order 30$ worth so you make good use of the shipping charges.
I have about 40 markers-Make sure you have a good range of grays, and a good range of body colors (Blue, Red, Green, Aquamarine, ect…)

[Zcaithaca]

What kind of paper should I use? How big should it be?


I use 14x17 Strathmore Bristol Vellum… this is good because it is smooth yet rough enough for pastels to grip onto.

[Zcaithaca]

The gouache is for accents right? If not how much do you use and in what manner?


Yes for accents only. The gouache really makes the work complete. Basically I follow Thom's suggestions but sometimes I just add where I think some highlights should go. It really does wonders for the chrome parts like the bumper brackets and rims. There is still improvement for chrome rim rendering. But I think they came out pretty good for my first chromes.
I used a 0 round brush for larger highlights on the body but I mostly use a 5/0 round brush for the rims. I only use white no other paint. One must be careful not to have too many highlights.

[Zcaithaca]

Tip for painting detail:


Hold the brush like a pencil but then roll your hand out and away from you so that your palm is facing towards your chest and your thumb is facing up (finger nail side). Start a stroke and move away from your body (out). You can get nice straight and curved lines that way. Have paper or tracing paper to rest your hand on (remember pastel had already been applied and even if you use workable fixative you can still smear it).

[Zcaithaca]

What are stumps and tortillions?

[Zcaithaca]

How do I draw realistic shadows?


A shadow, when done correctly, should look natural in a drawing, not some big black blob the you just stuck in there to simulate ground…an example of a good shadow is this:

Now on to how to do this:
A shadow is just where your object (car) is blocking the light from the ground or other object…you can find where to put your shadow by drawing a diagram like so: