Art & Inspiration The Photoshop thread to end all Photoshop Threads!

I've tried copy/paste cuts and pieces, then filling in and blending. I've also just fully free-handed stuff, and I feel I can't get over the hump. I study how others pull it off, too. Keeping it simple and not over-coloring the tones so it doesn't look like I tried too hard, but then I'm over thinking the process. Thank goodness for the back button. I keep TONS of reference photos and apply what I need to if I can't do it freehand.

With the tools you're using, along with your oil painting skills (which I don't have, and need to work on, because Bob Ross rules!) you have brought out your own style- just like everyone else that contributes to this thread. I don't give a shit who is better than who, we can all learn something from each other, and get better in the process.

Keep on the concepts! Most of us will never be able to afford to build what we create, but at least the dreaming is free, right?

 

Something inspired by the small car thread - a French Ford Vedette coupe. Very rare! Which is a real shame, I´d love one of these mini Mercs. They aren´t bad looking stock, but of they´ve messed up the roof line in order to allow for rear passengers. We can fix that though.

 

Agreed, OahuEli. I always forget to sharpen, or hard-line my edges. I feel guilty when I cheat and copy a chunk off some pic I stole, then (to me) it doesn't match the rest of my sloppy freehand work. Part of me is lazy since I know it's not "going to print"- yet another thing I need to work on...

 

Excellent work, James D- I like how you brought down the highlight from under the side trim to lead into the skirts. That's a cool little car.

 

I hear ya, sometimes I screw up on the lines and/or colors as well. lol This photoshop of Koolkemps '47 Ford shows the clear reflections on the side that I "painted" in, but I screwed up the colors on the roof and a few people thought the car was dark blue. Oh well, I'm still learning.

 

The highlights and reflections were a mess - they were all going uphill, and reflecting some decidedly unhappy and not so little trees, which are rather lumpy and which makes for a strange effect. I thought it´d be a better idea to clean it all up, but just don´t make it too perfect, or it doesn´t look realistic any more.

 

Amen, brother.
That's how I got started on this: I just wanted one of everything!

 

Yep, and its a damn sight cheaper too! I don't have the skills someone like Koolkemp has, but helping put his vision in a picture is pretty cool, not to mention fun. If some of you haven't checked out his build you ought to, those are the real skills!

 

Since black is supposed to be the absence of color, it's a beast to choose what color you think it should be reflecting. Add in the hue/saturation factor and hope for the best, lol

 

I've never seen a Vedette or the related Comete except in photos. There was a fastback version as well. I was just looking at your changes and noticed you fixed the highlights and reflections. Nice job!

I discovered reflections in chrome depend on the curvature and camera angle. The image can be inverted sometimes. For example, in photos of baby Moons hubcaps often the dirt is up and sky down.

 

We're all learning - that's why we're here - and it's cheaper than college!

I really like horizon reflection down the side. Nice touch, OahuEli.

 

Take a leaf out of these guys (lavishly illustrated) book. This is how you paint cars...

http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/oldsmobile/1956/56Oldsmobile-p12-13.jpg

 

Thanks for the pointer. I can never have too many car illustrations.
I wonder what the original medium was on the '56 Olds illustration.
The greens especially have water color feel.

 

Thanks!

 

Amen, James- Those are the true artists. No computers, no airbrushes, and no back-up buttons. Doing illustrations like that by hand is quickly becoming a lost art. I was enrolled in the graphic design program at the local community college here in Portland, and I was surprised by how many people dropped out, or were not allowed to continue because they couldn't draw. I can't count how many times I heard "Isn't that what the computer is for?".

 

Backwards. White is the absence of color; black is all colors.

 

By no means am I saying i agree, or disagree about this subject, I guess it all depends on how you apply the theory. I did some research...
http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-science/are-black-and-white-colors#Anchor-Color-47857

A screen shot of what I found.

 

Here is a 1953 Plymouth sedan I have been working on.

One of the things I try to do before customizing is figure out what I like about the car to start with. Then keep or enhance those features and fix what doesn't work. The nice thing about digital photo alteration is that as changes are made you can go back and forth as the ideas develop.

What I liked about the '53 Plymouth is the soft rounded curves, especially the hood lines and rear quarters. What I think needed fixing was the roof height (this is a custom after all) and the curious window lengths. For some reason, the designers thought that the rear windows should look longer than the front. Very curious.

Anyway, I chopped the top, moved the rear roofline forward, and lengthened the front door and B pillar to fix the now really-out-of-balance windows. Lowered it. Extended the front spear.

I initially removed the the front and rear vent wings, but put the fronts back on for better balance and visual interest.

I really like the rear dogleg window and triangular C pillar. I think that's the feature that explains the design. However, when I removed the rear vent, that means the rear window must be fixed, since it can't slide through the sharp angle which would poke passengers on entry!

Oh, and I kept that gorgeous color, too.

 

Great proportions, R&K. Kudos to you for keeping it a four-slam. I appreciate that you take the time to post the reasoning behind your changes. I'm lazy and just toss up a pic without ever really explaining what I changed, or why I felt it needed changing.

My week is going to be busy with Doc appointments, but I will try to dig something out of my cesspool of destruction and get it posted.

 

Thanks, Sin. I have a tendency to make a few quick changes and post, too.
I started this one last week, got busy and forgot about it. When I looked again, I realized what still needed fixing.

Good luck at the Docs.

 

Can anyone add gold two point scallops on my truck and lover the front a bit. Please start the scallop at the front fender just below where the molding would go then two points on the doors. Similar to my avatar. Thanks!!

 

I’d like to try some color on my Chevy. Could I get some help from the Photoshop gurus? The VW colors are Iceland Green and Almond Green Metallic. The Ford’s color is unknown. Thanks for your help

 

ehrawn-
I only had time to do one, and a sloppy one at that. I chose the darker of the VW colors. Good luck on your color choice.

 

I would like to call upon the Gods of Photoshop to help me with my visions of a 54 Desoto Wagon.

The pic is not mine, but belongs to another HAMBer on a long lost thread.

I would appreciate it if I could see this wagon slammed, plain ol' satin black, with American Racing Torq Thrusts and another with Salt Flat Specials.

If you all have any other ideas I would really appreciate seeing them too (different colored candied roofs, different wheels, paint, ANYTHING). I am not looking for a full blown custm, just something simple and not too flashy.

Thanks in advance. I look forward to what you all can conjure up.

 

Would someone please photoshop this with red steelies (with caps and trim rings) and wide white walls. Thanks.

 

I feel like i'm always posting in this thread with request but this next request is what I have already decided on. This summer when I'm home from school i'm going to take my model a apart and paint it ford indian fire. I was hoping someone could photoshop it indian fire with black wheels so I can have a good visual of what my car will look like.



here is a less complete picture if it is easier to photoshop


and here is an example of ford indian fire

 

I ve done some better, but I ve also done some worse
If it s not the right color, I can correct it.
It s a nice car !!!

 

Thanks, Sinister.

 

Please don´t do it satin black. It looks a lot better in colour and you won´t have every idiot telling you what a cool "hurst" you have.

 

Not a full-blown custom, just a nice, elegant estate car.

I substituted Packard wire wheels for the Chrysler variety. I didn't have a good shot of Chrysler wires which would be just right on this car. Wide whites, natch.

Lowered it.

Color is a period bronze with a darker top:
eye-catching, but understated, I think.

I did just one custom mod; see if you can find it.

Oh, yes. One more thing:
If you remove that really neat front chrome spear, I want it!