HeadLight Tutorial: Silvia S15

I finally got the tutorial finished.
Please if you have any tips to make this better let me know so I can incorporate it into the chrome wheel tutorial.

Thanks

Al

-----------------Head Light Tutorial-----------------

Finished lights. The values in the image below are about the same as the original artwork (darks/lights). I just wanted to give you an idea of what the true colors look like. I apologize for the tungsten tent on some of these. I am still learning my camera. :banghead:

I wrote the tutorial in word so the outline didn't come out just right under Step 1. Sorry about dat too.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht15.jpg

Step 1
Try to find detailed picts of the headlights you want to draw. Always always look at your reference and study it very carefully. Like mine it looks like I need to go do that far projector lenses. The ellipse degree is too large. If the headlight is not the exact angle you need be sure to account for that in your drawing. I tried doing that on mine but I need some more practice. Bonz’s perspective thread will help on that.

This tutorial just shows how I like to draw you may not like the way I do things so please always try to improve and share the methods you come up with. We are all learning.

I draw w/ a sheet of printer paper or tracing paper under my hand to protect the paper and drawing from smearing.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht01.jpg

Tools:

Grid to get out-line of headlight
Freehand lenses and highlights on the inside. Those are too small for ellipses and curve tools anyway.

Drawing board purchased from Michaels (not shown)
They are brown and look like huge clipboards.
I also drilled out the huge clips on the side. Be careful when you do that.
They get in the way of my arm when I draw.

Words in parenthesis are the stores where I bought my stuff

A. Tuff Stuff eraser (Staples)
a. Used for sharp edge erasing, I use it for thin elongated lines, I
luv it
b. I cut the top into a flat sharp edge w/ an X-acto knife.
c. You can also cut at angles for different needs
d. The eraser will than have a very sharp circle edge that I
use for highlights
e. This eraser will shed when you erase, but it is clean
and not messy. It will not crumble. I like to use my kneed
eraser to lift (lightly) the sheddings off the paper it works
great.

B. Mecha pencil
a. Loaded w/ 2b lead (D.)
C. Mecha pencil
a. Loaded w/ HB lead

D. 2B Lead (Staples)
a. That is all you need for darks
b. For large dark spaces you might use a wooden pencil
c. I rarely use wooden pencils for fine detailed drawings like the
Sil.

E. Stumps (Michaels)
a. Get various sizes
b. The super skinny ones are perfect for fine detail like headlights

F. Makeup wedge (Wal-Mart beauty section)
a. It is made of very soft fine porous foam
b. This is something new I am trying
c. I didn’t use it for the headlight much but I used it for the
hood.
d. These can be folded into very sharp points. I really like it a lot
e. I think J.D. Hillberry said, “Always look for new things to try
and blend with.” www.artpapa.com

G. Eraser Shield (Michaels)
a. This is very cheap under $1
b. It is a stencil that will allow you to eraser small sections w/o
eraser everything else

H. Chamois (Michaels)
a. You may used auto chamois but make sure it is real leather.
b. What you do is take one side and roll the edges up into a
once sided burrito. Bring both rolled sides into the middle
where they will meet.
c. I didn’t use this on the headlights but this is another blending
tool, very nice by the way.

I. Blu-Tack (www.sibleyfineart.com)
a. This is the eraser used by pro graphite artists
b. Mike is a great guy to buy products from. He lives in England
and hangs out at www.artpapa.com.
c. Mike has great tutorials for drawing also at his site
d. There are products like this in the States but they are less
tacky.
e. This blu-tack will make the sharpest point and keeps its’ form
very well.
f. Some peops will form the blu-tack and stick it in the freezer
to make it hard and then erase w/ it.
g. This stuff will lift lead like nothing else.
h. It is cheap too, try just one pack

J. Kneed eraser (Michaels)

Step 2

Lightly sketch the headlights and lenses

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht02.jpg

Step 3

Here I drew more detail and went over the outside lines w/ rulers and French curves.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht03.jpg

Here is the other headlight right now it is dark but I will lighten it when I finish the near headlight. I want near one to be the darkest and crispest (wow that is a word). Doing that tricks the eye into thinking the near headlight is closer which it is.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht04.jpg

Step 4

Here I am going real dark w/ my 2B lead.
You may go so dark that specks of graphite will get on your paper. Lift those up w/ your kneed eraser you can also try brushing them aside w/ a paintbrush. Be gentle when removing lead specks.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht05.jpg

Step 5

Finished the dark outer line and started shading.
I am constantly reminding my self that the primary light source is at the side of the car so the side of the headlight must be lighter and contain some highlights.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht06.jpg

Step 6

Ok, here I continue to sketch looking at my ref. image always. I also drew lines that will surround my brightest highlights (H.)

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht07.jpg

Step 7

Here I start shading in some more darks surrounding my highlights.
Haven’t blended yet.
Notice the highlight on the center lens light.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht08.jpg

Here is my Blu-tack formed to a point. I created and cleaned up that middle lens light w/ it. I do light jabs at the area striking perpendicular to the paper.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht09.jpg

Step 8

Did a little bit of blending and fixed that far right cross-lined light.
At first I drew crossing lines to simulate it but then I notice it was better to draw little dark spots and create white spots to create the crossing effect.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht10.jpg

Step 9
Peak a boo I see you!

Here is my ref.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht11.jpg

Step 10

Starting on the mirror like lens. Shading lightly avoiding my brightest high lights, feeling good about it. :)

I noticed that w/ these head lights I like to est. my blacks first.
That works for me something else may work for you.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht12.jpg

Step 11

Here I have done more blending w/ my thinnest stump. Sometimes hold the stump perpendicular to the surface and blend sharp lines.

Notice the light shading above the headlight on the hood. That is there because I am going to come in w/ my cut Tuff Stuff eraser and highlight that bad boy.

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lht13.jpg

Step 12

Clean up the highlights w/ my Tuff Stuff and blu-tack.
Blend a little here and there, go crazy doing it. :)

http://aa4jc.home.att.net/artwork/lht/lhtfin.jpg

That is about it.

Once I set in the reflections on the body I will add some reflections to the headlight w/ my blu-tack. That will give the illusion of a clear plastic lens covering all three lights.

I hope it was helpful. Pls ask any questions

Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. I have that magazine so I might try out this tutorial this time.

Thanks for making the pictures shown in the thread of course you did that after I read the thread and clicked all the links.

Thanks for making the pictures shown in the thread of course you did that after I read the thread and clicked all the links.


Oh man I am sorry you had to do that.

It took me awhile to fix them all and I already posted the darn thread.

It is kind of trial and error for me sometimes.
I write the tutorial in Word so I don't have to be online for like 1-2 hrs posting this thing.

Al

Great! Thanks for spending your time putting this tutorial together for us all, I really appreaciate it.

I'll hopefully try it out soon.

Awesome tutorial, but what makes me dissapointed is that you need all that stuff to do it :(

As soon as my cast is off and I'm drawing again, I'm going straight to the stores you listed to buy the supplies I don't have that you listed.

Great tutorial! Maybe in a little while I will post some of my better headlights that I have done.

Would you mind?

Good god, I bow down to you! I am going to have to adapt that to my Photoshop drawing technique since I lack all skill in doing headlamps =P

Awesome tutorial, but what makes me dissapointed is that you need all that stuff to do it :(


Thx everyone.

Well, Ran you don't have to get all that stuff. I think at the minimum you need 2b lead, Blu-tack or kneed eraser, and that Tuff Stuff eraser.
Some stumps or tortillions too.

I am glad you guys like it.
I know it is long but I try to explain the details.

Al

thanks 4 the great tut asaenz! really helpful.

i've never heard of chamois. is it just a piece of leather basically?

alex

Awesome tutorial man. I have a question though. Eventhough you didn't mention it in this tutorial but i have heard of it before, what are French Curves. It would be awesome if you could show a picture or info on where to get one since i have heard of it plenty of times but never really heard what it Really is! I love all the detail you put into those headlights. My eyes wouldn't allow me to dig soo deep into the drawing, i think i will need to buy some magnifiying glasses or something. I can't wait to see this Silvia done. Its going to most certainly be like your Skyline, a masterpiece :bigthumb:

most complete tutorial i have ever seen. excellent.

Thx everyone.

Well, Ran you don't have to get all that stuff. I think at the minimum you need 2b lead, Blu-tack or kneed eraser, and that Tuff Stuff eraser.
Some stumps or tortillions too.

I am glad you guys like it.
I know it is long but I try to explain the details.

Al

Fantastic tutorial. BTW a chamois is a leather (or synthetic) "towel" made for drying automobiles. You can get them at just baout any auto parts store in the car detailing section.

Awesome tutorial man. I have a question though. Eventhough you didn't mention it in this tutorial but i have heard of it before, what are French Curves. It would be awesome if you could show a picture or info on where to get one since i have heard of it plenty of times but never really heard what it Really is! I love all the detail you put into those headlights. My eyes wouldn't allow me to dig soo deep into the drawing, i think i will need to buy some magnifiying glasses or something. I can't wait to see this Silvia done. Its going to most certainly be like your Skyline, a masterpiece :bigthumb:

French Curves

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FrenchCurve.html

I also use flexible curves.
http://www.artsupply.com/alvin/curves.htm

Mine is like this one
http://www.dickblick.com/zz554/65/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=1660

French Curves

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FrenchCurve.html

I also use flexible curves.
http://www.artsupply.com/alvin/curves.htm

Mine is like this one
http://www.dickblick.com/zz554/65/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=1660

Awesome, Thanks asaenz. How do you utilize them. Im guessing that they are used to make wheel wells and basically smooth curves...duh :loser: Someone should do a tutorial on this :)

Awesome, Thanks asaenz. How do you utilize them. Im guessing that they are used to make wheel wells and basically smooth curves...duh :loser: Someone should do a tutorial on this :)

Thx RB26dett.

I think Lemorris showed how to use the curves.
I cannot remember which thread he showed us.
PM him.

al

you're awesome and i love you

WTF Zach?

wtf? irony?

you're awesome and i love you

WTF Zach?

Perhaps I was tacky.

RB26DETT-GTR, pls PM Lemorris and ask him.
If he hasn't I will do one. They can be tricky to use.

It helps to have a drafting table w/ a swivel lamp or a small lamp/shade style lamp. What happens is w/ lamps they can create cast shadows and when you place your curve you are not on the right line you are trying to clean up (off, above or below it). Also when you notice the curve not matching the line you are cleaning up it is time to rotate the curve around or grab another one. You need smooth transitions as you join lines w/ the curves.

al

Thanks Al,

I just PM'ed Lemorris. I'll most likely pick up Thom Taylors book "How To Draw Cars Like a Pro" since i heard it was good, maybe that contains some info on French Curvers, etc.

Thanks Al,

I just PM'ed Lemorris. I'll most likely pick up Thom Taylors book "How To Draw Cars Like a Pro" since i heard it was good, maybe that contains some info on French Curvers, etc.

Theres some info in the beginning. Then there is more through out the book when he explains stuff. Read the whole damn book cover to cover.

Me too. Wasn't the most helpful but it is a good book to pick up if you are just learning.


PS post 500! yay! lol

hei my question us how you get that perfect flowing shading on the hood ?

Hey Artists,

Remember we are not supposed to bring up old threads. Plz PM the owner instead if you have any specific questions or comments.

Next person who does this will be banded from the Internets :) (Prez Bush)

WW667, The smooth shading is accomplished by keeping my pencil strokes very close together, no white space. I shade softly and blend w/ tortillions and/or leather shamy (sp). Artists will shade and blend and then shade and blend some more; I think it is called layering. Start a new thread called "Shading Help" lets see what people can offer.

Check all the links in the tutorial thread, many of them ref. shading.

Take care

al