Stuck on a vehicle concept

[zharris]

How do some of you artists out there approach thumbnailing and referencing?

Like, could a flow sort of comprise as:

1. Purpose - what the thing needs to do

2. Reference - find closest match

3. thumbnail

my problem is, I think I'm having a hard time breaking away from parts of my reference.

the other problem of mine is breaking away from a succesful design

[SJ Bennighof]

Dude, why use a reference? I mean, if you need it for form, sure, but that's for things like figure and such, in my opinion. If it's a tech design, man, go all the heck out. Refs'll hold you back in that regard the way I see it. Of course, I'm talking out of my ass because I'm almost in college, so do what the pros tell you to do, but that's teh way I'm seeing it.

[zharris]

Ok, I think my problem is actually some medication I took this afternoon (just got my wisdom teeth removed thursday)


The dizziness is a side effect, and thats really affecting me right now.

Sorry to waste a thread about it.

[CreationEdge]

I have to disagree, refs can be good if you use them right.

I don't mean like the WHOLE car, but looking at why a car is designed the way it isn't. If you're doing mechanics or wiring, take a look at it to see how it really works. Something that actually gives off that look that it could work is better than something with various/random mech/tech parts on it.

[zharris]

good point
I have problems sometimes, sitting in my sketchbook, when I'm half tired, just randomly drawing cylinders or boxes, hoping one will be the start of my next drawing. None of them mean anything without a direction or function.

I ought to analyze the functions of the reference I'm looking at more, instead of going "ooh, and ahh, I like this piece, lets make da drawing!"

every time I've been given a demo, our instructor has explained stuff as he draws, just like a car mechanic, as Marko mentioned in another thread.

I'm going to try think more about what stuff is supposed to do, rather than the aspect of making it look high tech, or meidieval, or whatever