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Home > Articles > Ragazine Rack > Car Design Color Up: A “primer” for rendering a car in color
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| A Motorburg How-To Feature |
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| Car Design Color Up |
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15. This step illustrates a good reason to be selective with fixative spray, using it sparingly on areas where color work has already been completed (just enough to “seal in” the work) and not at all on areas still to be worked on. It’s important not to use too much spray at any time, as the “buildup” might interfere with further refinements to the rendering. As you’ll remember, areas yet to receive color (like the background) were procedurally covered by a tissue mask whenever we sprayed. In the example to the right above, there has been no fixative applied to the taillight section during our rendering process, that area having been protected by frisket throughout. Without fixative, our pencil lines remaining beneath the frisket are still fresh and undisturbed and we’re able to erase and then alter our original taillight design... making the recessed lights better fit our rear fender contours as the unit transitions into the trunk area.
You’ll see in the finished example above, reflections in the recessed chrome housing of the taillights themselves - This was rendered (with a good degree of artistic license) by rolling a piece of pliable chrome plastic around a red jar top and studying the resultant reflections. It’s always handy to have such “props”, and even a couple of model cars at the ready, just for such purposes. The lights and housing were rendered in marker, pastel, colored pencil and gouache. The finish detail shows the importance of keeping your pencils sharp and relying upon “sweeps and ellipses” for crisp and clean lines and results. Notice the “sketchy” black Verithin pencil at the edge of the horizon line. |
 16. Well, here it is almost completed... close, but still “no cigar”. There’s still a few details that need to be rendered, so we’ll offer up this view as a reference point for things yet to come. You know what they say about “God being in the details”... and yet there’s also a saying, “that less is more”. When designing cars it’s always a balancing act between the two points of view, or rather, the sequential order of their procedural use. Personally, when I begin to sketch, I don’t design around any particular detail, but choose to think about the details at a much later stage (adding small “jewels” even towards the end of the rendering process). FYI: Get your body in shape, then tailor your clothes and pockets to fit, and finally... accessorize. |
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| 17. For your perusal, here are a few close-ups of the completed rendering. How far you wish to detail any rendering is of course personal preference, tempered by any job requirements and limitations (if that’s the case). Above, you see the results of marker, marker spray, pencil, black ink and colored pencil as well as some gouache over-painting. It might be important for you to know; that I also use a “blender pen” for manipulating the marker color, in addition to the solvent used to smooth and blend the pastel dust. Also of note, the solvent can be used to further blend the colored pencil tones. A double ended cotton swab dipped in solvent is also most handy for soft tonal transitions while doing the smaller detail work. |
Finish: Our last step includes a bit of background effects and the all important “highlights” I mentioned earlier. First, about the background; it’s simply a nice little accent that adds some color, depth and a nebulous suggestion of the car’s environment while not distracting from our star... the Car. The effect was applied using spray marker, pastel dust and a smudge from an oil stick. An applicator was made using an “Acco small binder clip” and a wadded cotton ball... that tool was dipped in solvent and mixed pastel and then used to quickly smear the dust and oil. Of course, the majority of the car was covered with tissue and the forward edge of our car was protected with frisket prior to our spontaneous color “scribble. The finishing touch however, is the “hot spot” highlights that sparkle and bring our glossy car to life - Just like the “life” we recognize in the “twinkle” of an eye. Colored pencil tonal highlights bring out our forward facing cut lines, (doors and the like) while white pencil and gouache produce the highlight “plings” that appear to catch the sun’s reflection.
All that’s left now is to put a signature on it and give it a final spray of matte finish. Then it’s time to say we’ve reached the end of the road for our car design tutorial, but hopefully... a new or inspired beginning has opened up for you. Good luck to all. Like I said, “don’t forget to honk as you pass me by”. |
| Tyrone Delmonico - a.k.a. “Ty-D”, has spent years designing (as he puts it) “anything that needs it”, with an emphasis on modifying American-Iron - He’s just crazy about Hot Rods, Bikes and Custom Cars. You may not immediately recognize the name, but he's been responsible for countless award winning designs from top shops and builders across the country. Recently, we persuaded Ty to step out of the shadows of anonymity and become an attributed member of our Motorburg family. Although he presently works with a computer exclusively, we asked that he base "this tutorial" along traditional rendering methods for the greater benefit of those generally needing assistance with their automotive design. We look forward to Ty’s active participation in the many feature areas of Motorburg and know our viewers will come to appreciate his artistic style, help and expertise. Welcome to town Tyrone. |
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| Car Design Color Up |
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