Yad'

Hi All............... Just a quick update on whats's happening around my bench at the moment. My main reason for building this was the fact that I saved a lovely engine from out of the Ducati 916 by Revell, such a shame to hide all that detail behind a fairing. Anyway I unwittingly opened a huge can of worms by trying to kitbash the engine between kits. The S4 Monster is a very basic low parts kit that relies heavily on detail painting for its impact, whereas the 916 is a full-on build. The kit engineering and the bike models themselves were not really compatable and the work involved is I'm thinking only marginally worth the effort. An awful lot of the detail is still going to be buried up underneath the tank, or hidden behind the frame so I'm regreting the decision already - that is, in light of my new "NO BURNOUT" philosophy of modelling. As ever these outrageous enlargements are merciless, but I thought I'd post some pics before the build moved on any further. More as it happens................... Andi

Nice build Rob'. It makes a refreshing change from the usual customs, muscle and hot rods. Now't wrong with them - Just makes for a nice change. BTW - you're car is known as the Honda "Jazz" in the UK. Nice clean build..............well done, Yad'

WOW................ That is one comprehensive build post. Good to see you tackling problem areas with focussed thought and diligence. A lot of this kind of detail needs to be brought to viewers attention as the more correct things look the more the uninitiated assume it was already there - believe me I know this from my own previous builds. However...........[and please don't take this a a criticism]. 84 pic's at an average of 250k within just 3 such intense posts will probably mean a lot of folk will give up waiting for it to load well before they get the jist of all the work you've put into this build? I'm on an 8meg broadband download and it still stalled a couple of times! Other than that................. well worth the wait to see this come together, you have my admiration for not just accepting what you see and for making it your very own - marvelous work. Yad'

I'm going to weigh in with a Very Well Done too! A most excellent little cameo, I've always admired this type of modelling, although never tried it yet - and yours makes me want to. Some I've seen could be described as a touch clumsy or over the top, but your's is so right. Well observed and just enough - very believable. Once more................ Well done, Yad' Ps............... I'd like to hear how you achieved the rust effect too, also the relationship between the rusted and painted areas - just how did you achieve that realistic transition?

Hi Mike, Thanks for your continued interest. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've about 80 hours into this piece as on the screen it looks pretty amateurish. In fact I'm quite appalled at the way it's reproduced - although this does seem like a bad workman etc! I must really try and get sorted as to posting a much more representable image if I try to do this again. For those interested in such things it's been painted on 300gram Schollershammer #12, hot pressed paper, Windsor and Newton pigment with permanent white Gouache for highlights and tinting. Cheers all.................... Andi.

A quick post to tie this thread up. I'll live with it for a while but I'm pretty much calling this one done. I did try and shoot at a higher pixel rating, plus mess about with lighting corrections etc,. But it appears that by the time I'd optimised it for about 100Kb it looks even worse than the previous postings?? - You'll have to take my word for it! But, it does look a lot better in the flesh, The commisionee has Ok'd it so apart from a little nibbling here and there to satisfy myself it's on to the next one. All the very best................ Andi [Yad']

Excellent build thread Bob'. I really enjoyed seeing that one come together, plus the subject was a real treat too. I've come to rely on you to post outside of the usual suspects when it comes to subject matter, and you didn't disappoint. Great build ......... Wonderful subject......... Superb finish. Yad'.

A further update on the Auto' portrait. We're getting close to a finish now with the Traction all but complete. Here's a single shot of the Citroen, although it's been planted it now needs to be stitched into the road surface, a few tickles here and there and then some time spent balancing the perspective to make sure it reads consistantly as a complete image. Here you go then........... as ever, even with a bit of fiddling a lot of the subtlety hasn't made it to the screen but you should definately get the flavour. Also notice how the level of detail has increased along with necessary contrast levels in order to reinforce the notion of distance within the painting.......... an element we were discussing earlier. [i've just previewed the post only to notice that's one of the subtleties lost!! - oh well]. As ever............cheers for now, Andi

Beautiful clean builds, and very well presented. You have a definate build style....... and it works impressively for you. Yad'

Seeing all this stunning digital artwork really makes me feel like I've been barking up the wrong tree all these years. Excellent wit........ Great job. Andi

Hello again Harry............... Thanks for trying, I've attempted something similar within "Fireworks", part of my web building package. With pretty much the same results - a touch too far the other way. I think the main problem is watercolour is a transparent medium and as any light source travels through the paint - hits the white paper and comes out again, it allows the camera to read all sorts of discrepencys that arn't visible to the naked eye. I know when work goes to be digitally scanned for limited edition prints etc the file size is humungous - in the region of a 100megs or the like, it's then manipulated by a technician who is seriously au-fait with image manipulation software. Even then it takes several proof prints and adjustments before it's considered good to go. So, using a recreational camera, and keeping the file size under a 100k as a courtesy is parhaps hoping for a tad too much? Just a bit frustrating that the landscape is OK - ish but the bit everyone is interested in [the cars] are reading less than they really are - or is this all starting to sound like an excuse???.......... smiling now. More as it's ready......... just winding myself up to start that Traction Avante!!!! Later...................... Andi.

Thanks for that Harry.......... The strange thing is when I went back down to check the headlights and "adjust" them............ they look quite fine and dandy. Even the missus said so!!! It just appears from the pic' that the left one is leaning back and in? I'm gonna' live with it awhile. What I have found frustrating is the way the pic's are appearing on the screen, I've tried taking the shots with flash and without, my camera even has a "slow" [infill only] feature. Yet everything seems terribly washed out and the mark making looks very inarticulate, with a lot of the underpainting coming to the surface. Without seeming immodest, there's a greater naturality to the image when seen in the flesh, of course it's only about two inches long there! Perhaps there might be someone reading this that has any experience with reproducing artwork on the web to its best effect. Later............. Andi.

Hi all............... Here's a further update on the auto' portraits. I've managed to muster a reasonably believable background, and have just completed the Austin 7. I feel compelled to ask for a little leeway here as the process of putting the pic' on the web really takes it out of the clarity etc. Although I'm going to have to take a look at those headlights - somethings amiss? Frightening what these crippling enlargements will throw up. Here you go then................ All the best till next time.................... Andi.

I'll agree with that Nick,................ Most excellent work. The tonal rendering is particularly noteworthy. What might work well, and will strengthen the image. Is to put a partial background in. nothing elaborate just enough marks to allude to an environment. tree outlines, building edges etc, it's a time honoured commercial device for reinforcing the image as a statement. Cool............... more artspeak! All the best................... Andi

Harry............. I think you should. I've admired your P/shop work, and been pretty impressed with it to say the least. In fact it's so good, and as a Brit' - and not being familiar with the vagaries of Muscle car detailing or styles, I'm unable to distinguish the real from a phantom styling exercise such is the quality of your work. Jarius's work however is familiar to me from published pages and I'm able to read it as Artwork, always a pleasure. My own skills with P/shop are non-existant, I do actually have a copy but it makes no sense, rhyme or reason to me. In fact the few times I've attempted anything I've given up and simply used a pencil. I do have a reason for attempting this commision though, and perhaps I might be able to speak of it at a later point should all go well? Sorry to be so enigmatic, but I don't want to put the Hex on anything. Suffice to say it's all about the usual reign of Artistic impecuniosity, and the feeble and pathetic attempts to sneak unseen around it, I'm sure all of us trying to put a crust on our table from our endevours understand that statement? Andi.

Hi guys............. Thanks for your continued interest. May I say that your opinions and thoughts are very welcome. I'm always interested in the input of others, especially those of obvious experience and skill. You both have far greater knowledge and experience of incorporating automotive subjects within a composition than myself, so just keeping an eye on me and keeping me on the straight and narrow will be of great benifit to the final piece. This said............ you are both correct in your observations. The composition is one of an automotive portrait - as in, the Cars take precedence, however it has to be rendered in a narrative style [figuratism], so I'm oblidged to present the final piece as a "Formal Painting". Therefore, Jarius you were correct to spot the lack of tone within the background, and Harry you were also correct anticipating this as a device to illustrate Ariel perspective [Atmospheric perspective as you described it]. The first rule of Ariel perspective is in fact Contrast - Background=Low Contrast, Foreground=High Contrast. Any point in between must fall between your set/polar values but can be manipulated in order to push or pull elements of the composition within its environment [Landscape in this instance]. For instance, within this painting - and for greatest effect. I want most of the contrast to sit within the distance occupied by the two foremost vehicles, and then to recede quite quickly to the horizon, thus maintaining the vehicles as the predominant passage [Focus of:] within the painting. The damning thing is that watercolour is pretty much a "one shot" medium, if you have to constantly work into a passage in order to correct or manipulate it, it very quickly loses it's natural fluency and clarity, thereby ruining the very reason for choosing it in the first place!!! So, I've left a little room in the background for more contrast [darker values] should I need it. And I've set the tone in the middleground using the 2CV as a point of reference as I begin to work forwards. Did all that sound too "Arty" or complex?? Sorry if it did, just trying illuminate what it is I'm attempting to do here, also quite enjoying this exchange of "Art Speak". Not something I'm used to doing that often, and with such exalted company too. I'll continue to update the posts, assuming everything continues to go reasonably well? And hopefully the mechanics of the construction process should reveal themselves as a readable image. If I understand the rules correctly and I get them right that is? Speak again soon.................. Andi

Hi Jarius.............. Yes, you're right! The trees at the horizon are a touch soft. Believe it not though that's pretty much on purpose! You'll perhaps notice that all the background is just shy of full contrast. This because I'm unsure of the final tonal range of the piece. The latest addition [the 2CV] is you'll notice a bit stronger in its values, this because I'm attempting to "set the tone" in the middle ground so I can work forwards into the main foreground area with a point of reference, yet still leaving myself some "wiggle room". This so I can hopefully balance the whole thing for ariel perspective once I can see it complete - this is a natural way to work for me and especially in this instance affords me a bit of security should I fluff any of the critical passages? This whole piece is a bit alien to me as a compostion so I'm having to sacrifice fluency for caution at the minute, I'm hoping my inbuilt "wiggle room" will allow me to cohesively balance it as a whole - nearer its time of completion? Many thanks for the input though - I'm never too proud to have experienced eyes looking over my shoulder - it's comforting almost. Later.................... Andi

Hello all.............. Firstly, thanks for the interest. It is a bit nerve wracking though showing in-progress shots of a piece that is so far removed from my normal subject matter, and it's as tough as I feared using watercolour as a medium for this kind of subject. Secondly, allow me to take out a little insurance and state that these images are coming via a camera not a scanner [the paper is stretched on a board, which is way to big to fit in my little domestic scanner]. Ergo, they [the pic's] have suffered greatly in the recording and optimisation processess, plus the close up is mercilessly enlarged!!! the little red Morgan only measures about an inch on the paper. Anyway - 'nuff said............. Here's an overall shot to see how the composition fits within the frame.... And a detail close-up of the background vehicles, some details may look strange but these are particular to the vehicles represented............ I'm under no illusion the foreground and main vehicles are going to be a much tougher rendition to produce, but onward and upward as they say. Cheers all................... Andi.

Thanks both............ I will try to post updates for those curious enough. Although I know that most watercolour subtleties are lost through the various digital and optimisation procedures....... But, I will try - as I progress. Hello Bob......... It's been some time since we last spoke. In answer to your question the owner of this collection, and he has several more! has quite an eclectic taste in his cars. Which probably makes more sense when I tell you these are not trailer queens by any stretch of the imagination. Believe it or not? He rallies these.....thats right, these work hard for their keep. In fact the Traction Avante - Light 15 [forefront] is touring the south of France as we speak. Working back into the drawing we have an Austin Seven Tourer, a 2CV Dolly Special, and dissappearing into the distance a Morgan Plus-4. Back home he has more Citroens, VW's and crikely knows what else?? Thanks both for your interest......... Speak again soon................ Yad'

Hi all............ I've been following the posts within this area of the board with some considerable enthusiasm. I paint for a living and have recently been commisioned to produce an auto' oriented piece for the first time so this should be interesting to see how it pans out? Unlike Harry P' and Jarius, my work has always tended to be in the "Fine Art" style....you could say "old fashioned". But this is the stle its been commisioned in and really is more of an auto portrait than anything being a collection of vehicles that are owned by the husband of the commisionee. The piece is to rendered in watercolour, quite demanding for engineered subjects, and usually thought to be too "soft" a medium for the same reason. Anyway, here's the working drawing ready to make a start, it may alter slightly but the jist is all there. A simple landscape background to create an environment and the subjects loosely arranged within.......just enough to maintain a narrative element - not so much as to lose sight of the portrait status of the leading vehicles. Sorry it's a bit grey and difficult to read but it has to be very light so as not to read through the watercolour....... I've tried to play with the lightness and contrast in order that it can be seen better, but this is the best I can do with my computer skills. This is why I still paint the old fashioned way with brushes etc! All the best................. Yad'

Hi Dan'........... Not sure whether this is good or bad? But when I saw your new avitar the first thing I thought was - WOW.... Steven Spielberg!!!! Must be the cap and the beard, don't think I've ever seen him any other way. Not that he shops in my town very often. Yadster.

Hi Dave........... As mentioned elsewhere.............. That's a great build. It's clean and uncluttered, captures the spirit of the little MGB to a tee. I'm also impressed with the kit wires. They appear to be a pretty decent rendition and above par for the sort of wires normally provided within kits. They go a long way to promoting the vehicles character. The interior is very well done also, being a Brit' just looking into it via your pic's evokes a very distictive smell that came with these vehicles. I have spent many an hour blatting around the English countryside in these cars and perhaps thats something you have to do in order to appreciate them at their best. Once agin.............. Very well done.................... Yadster.,

Hi Lee............ I have the most amazingly useful scale calculater. It transposes across all scales, values too. Not a print out but a small programme, convenient at only 250kb. I'm in a bit of a rush and can't locate a contact addy for you? If you think it's of use feel free to contact me at......... yadster@homecall.co.uk And I'll be happy to send you a copy over. all the best.............. Yad'

Hi.......... Just a couple of pic's of the Ducati 916, this a build I started many moons ago and finally summoned up the energy to finish. Pretty much a shelf build as I completed it to clear the bench as much as anything. Here you go then............ I posted this across at HH and thought I'd include it here for those that don't cross pollinate! Cheers all................... Yad'

Hi Daryl, Just spotted this post, I'm not going to be a great help I'm afraid as I too have the Big Bentley awaiting its place on the bench. It's a nostalgia build for me also having wanted one as a youngster when it was way out of my reach both fiscally and physically. However I do have a good modelling pal that has built a very impressive example and the biggest single tip he gave me was.............. When assembling the tyres upon the wheels to pack the interior of them with plasticene or the like. He says that without this the weight of the model deforms them in a most unrealistic manner, possibly irrevocably. Also went on to say this is a much easier operation during the build than after................... hope that's of some use to you? Cheers............. Yad'