Retro sketching thought process...

[Smeagol71]

Greetings all. These sketches are straight from the old sketchbook, most of them done at work in between micro managing visits from my supervisor...:mad: Anyway, you sketch when you can, right?

I'm trying to work out some kind of retro/art deco ideas for an environment and these sketches kind of show my thought process. Some are more complete than others, but I thought it would be interesting to see some of the stupid little sketches too. Sometimes...a lot of times, I find the creative process to be more interesting than the final product. You might be able to see how some of the smaller sketches developed into a larger version and more of what I wanted.

Well, for what they're worth, all opinions are very much welcome and wanted!

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas01.jpg

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas02.jpg

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas03.jpg

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas04.jpg

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas05.jpg

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas06.jpg

http://www.phantomarts.co.uk/freeimagehosting/shipideas07.jpg

[custodian]

Well I really like these -- the simple lines are pretty efficient. I think the rivets help the retro look but they're too big a scale for the size of the vehicles I think ... if you look at the top image it shows two fronts of vehicles without rivets - they look a lot bigger than all the rest of the pictures because on larger objects small details disappear.

[Romus]

Cool stuff. Makes me think of Flash Gordon

[Fipse]

Really nice work ... I personally love this Retro-Style and will take some inspiration from your for an idea of mine ;) I like the artwork for the Fallout-games and this would fit very nicely. I have to try something "retrostyled" - or maybe "sovietstyle". Adi Grabov www.sofos.com/adi/ has some work like this, too ...

[MindCandyMan]

Hey bro...nice work man...I really like "hot rod" exhaust tubes coming off the sides of the rocket...almost look like the exhaust on a Harley or something. Definitely has a flash gordon feel to it. The look really awesome...good work. You should try to fully finish one of the ideas and give it color just to see how it comes out.

[Smeagol71]

Greetings all! Thanks for your replies.

Custodian: I'm happy to see your comment about simple lines because that was one of my primary goals. Simple, smooth, elegant lines. Very characteristic of this type of genre. You're absolutely right about the size difference in the sketches. Although they are smaller sketches, the ships with no rivet details are meant to be ideas for much larger ships than the more finished ones with the rivet details. Thanks for reminding me about the visual differences when adjusting depth of field though! I appreciate it!

Romus: Thanks for the compliment. My goal was achieved then if you're thinking of Flash. I wanted to get that kind of a feel across. That late 40's to 50's kind of genre.

Fipse: The kind words are appreciated! I would love to see some of your ideas once you've fleshed them out. I'm always a sucker for this retro stuff. Adi's work is fantastic, I have had his site bookmarked for quite some time. Thanks for the recommendation.

MindCandy: I will eventually complete these ideas in a more finished form, some in color. I included the pipes I guess more for a reason to get some chrome on the vehicles more than for any other reason, but they could have some practical "exhaust" use I imagine for the rocket based vehicles. The bulkier ships I was imagining would run more on a magnetic basis, repulsion of opposite polarity, etc. (pages 1 and 3).

[foster]

just wanted to drop you a line (even though a little late) and say i loved these sketches! this kind of work is close to my heart and you are doing such a fantastic job of imagining it all!

thanks

jon

[Smeagol71]

Jon: Thanks so much! Your encouragement means an awful lot to me and spurs me on! Trying to come up with my take on such an visionary and innocent era like the 40's and 50's is something I'm having a lot of fun doing and it's nice to hear you have a fondness for that subject matter too. Thanks again for your supportive words!