Sunday, May 27, 2007

Illustration Friday: Cars

As a topic, 'cars' is as vast as the concrete wastelands we've paved in order to accomodate their travel, parking, and merchandising. I like cars (favorite I've owned: a 1985 Honda CRX) and the freedom of movement they represent, but I'm ashamed of the consumption of resources they -- and we car owners-- are responsible for.

Some of my best memories are of road trips with the family... Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Canada. Charlie and Louie took many road trips together and bonded their friendship over many miles.

Yesterday I was at the mechanic's waiting for a service on one of our cars, and I saw a brochure on the Indianapolis 500. Knowing it was running today, I knew I had my subject for the challenge. I'm not a race fan, mind you. I know that I risk offending members of the legion of Nascar, demolition derby, and Monster Truck fans, but I don't get the going around in circles repeatedly. Yes, I realize there is athleticism and skill involved, but I don't get the attraction.

Anyway, even though I'm not a fan, I've drawn this with Micron pens and shaded it in Photoshop. Here's to that Memorial Day weekend tradition... the Indy 500.

Peace to all, and don't forget to wear your earplugs at the raceway.

20 comments:

Janice Ykema said...

Nice loose illustrative style here... I like it. (i've not used those pens yet) and a very nice touch with the bits of dirt kicking up..makes one hear the rumble!
I agree with you... the going in circles "is" mindless.... but when You go to the track.. and pick a car.... and start tracking em... (it puts you in a different mindset)...not sure it would hold my attention for hours..but it is fun, short term. Thankyou so much for your comments as well.. :)

studio lolo said...

Very nice car. Love the heat behind this bad boy! And hey...could that be my dog under the helmet?
(I put her seat in the back yesterday after a year and a half of riding shotgun. I guess it's more dangerous for her to be in the front. 'IF' can be so informative!)

Anonymous said...

I love the graphical look of this illustration and the colors you've used.

Even though you aren't a race fan (I don't really get it either), your interpretation of the theme certainly ties in nicely with today's race.

Anonymous said...

wow! I am really loving your lines and detail to your work! I haven't visited your blog in awhile and recognize your "profile' photo has changed! Nice! :O)

valerie walsh said...

You really give the sensation of heat and movement in this!!! I feel like I'm there! Very Cool! I love it!!!Who is Charlie and Louie? You really got me on that as Carlie and Louie are the names of my moms border collies. My grandpa was Charles Louis Silverman so she named the dogs after him.

valerie walsh said...

I looked through back posts and realized you have been referring to charlie and louie quite a bit! Now I am very intrigued!

Michelle Lana said...

This is cool, twissleman! love this style!

milanrubio said...

Cool and fresh illo.
The hand drawing non-digital is always great in you!
I preffer F-1
;-P

Catalina Alvarez said...

I love your style!
Bellissimo!
Cata.

Tony LaRocca said...

Maybe it's a lot more fun if you're actually there- on TV it's not my cup of tea either. At least with Monster Trucks you get to see big things get smashed by even bigger things. Cool illo, btw!

AndyDoodler said...

Wow! Perfect illustration.

Auto-racing and golf - all day on TV- oh yeah!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I guess maybe if I raced, and played golf , I'd think dif.

Larry Lee said...

The ending was kinda anticlimactic at this year's '500. Finishing in the rain.
I'm not sure why, but I do find it compelling to watch a NASCAR race. Maybe it is to see the 'big one' (crash, that is).
Anyway, really nice work. I like the perspective here.

Ellen Byrne said...

Pretty darn cool illo - and I'm a GIRL!

Thirrin Vertigo said...

WOW!!!! Awesome car!
I love it! It reminds me of my dad's Fiat Seciento, it races around like a race car!

Unknown said...

This is very cool, love the angle and design quality!

janie said...

your colours are great, really express the cool head you'd need under so much heat and pressure.

Kay Aker said...

A thing of beauty! Tons of zooming energy!

HARDWAX said...

I want your pen, no I want your hand-your skill is awesome, I know, someone already used that adjective, but it fits so well.
After I uploaded my illo to my blog, took a good two hours to get it posted, just wouldn't post, finally got it. Looking at this, don't know why I bothered. This is beautiful!

° said...

great lookin indy car and im with u cant see the thrill of a bunch of cars going in circles. and here i live in the heart of nascar lol

buep said...

I really like the style here, the lines, the colors... Great!