Argument for using layers gallery

**Soquili** · 31 March 2006, 01:25 AM

I totally agree with everyone, Ron. You are an artist. Your ability to see the details and use Xara to put them into beautiful images is enviable.

wW · 31 March 2006, 09:58 PM

Yes he is an artist, on this we all agree. I think he was trying to break it down further into a classification or sub-category for what he does.

I understand how he could think this about himself & it shouldn't be seen as belittling when he says it. It's honest introspective into what he does & doesn't do. PRO=He has to have the eye of the artist to see properly, the skill to interpret & execute as well as he does. CON=weakness on the creative side, crutch regarding software or using reference to draw from.

Limitations are nothing more than hurdles to overcome. If you feel that copying is your crutch, then work towards strengthening the other area's that accompany what you do. A series of exercises could help: Changing the reflections or light angle on a vehicle; doing some car doodles & try to apply shading based on your understanding or light, shadow & reflection; Change a vehicles perspective (very challenging); Take 3/4 angle car & draw as a side view. Trying things like this will make you a better artist and help push the envelope of your abilities & understanding.

I was in the recording studio once & the guy told me I was a pattern player. I wasn't insulted but at the same time I knew he wasn't throwing me any kudos' for the bottom end. The lead singer & guitarist said I should have taken it as a compliment. But I knew what the guy meant & his point was well taken. It's all a matter of interpretation...

Fragments

**Bob Hahn** · 31 March 2006, 10:29 PM

I understand too in how he classifies himself. I don’t think software would be one of the cons though, as it is a tool. Take away a photographers camera and what is he then?

Ron, have you taken these photos yourself? You can make them even more your own by taking the photos and at different or interesting angles, focusing on a particular area. Photos that you wouldn’t normally find.

Slightly modifying the car, merging two different models? Or do one of a HotWheels car and add what you know from doing these real cars to the toy and make it appear real - I don't know...

Just sharing my random thoughts. What you’re doing now is great.

-Bob.

**OklaEd** · 31 March 2006, 11:45 PM

You are "Da Man" Ron ... keep up the good work!

**Ron Duke** · 01 April 2006, 03:09 AM

Thanks guys,
I appreciate and value your thoughts and will certainly give it careful consideration.
ron

**Albacore** · 01 April 2006, 09:07 AM

I would like to use a swear word on this forum to say to Ron how wrong he is about not being an artist and how he is talking a load of the brown toilet stuff. Just look how Kane Rodger's (if I got the name right) does his drawings, not only has he got pictures he has a scale drawing as well.

If you don't have the self cconfidence to call yourself an artist why do you not do what Bob states, take your own pictures or do drawing from a strange angle. I did this last year with a Mini Cooper where I had the sales brochure plus three pictures from the web but thought it would be easier if I looked down from the roof as the car then would be only two boxes with loads of detail inside and even there I decided to miss some detail because it was too difficult to do

**Ron Duke** · 01 April 2006, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Albacore

I would like to use a swear word on this forum to say to Ron how wrong he is about not being an artist and how he is talking a load of the brown toilet stuff. Just look how Kane Rodger's (if I got the name right) does his drawings, not only has he got pictures he has a scale drawing as well.

If you don't have the self cconfidence to call yourself an artist why do you not do what Bob states, take your own pictures or do drawing from a strange angle. I did this last year with a Mini Cooper where I had the sales brochure plus three pictures from the web but thought it would be easier if I looked down from the roof as the car then would be only two boxes with loads of detail inside and even there I decided to miss some detail because it was too difficult to do

Good job, Albacore,
You must be able to picture in your mind what the angles and perspectives of all the various parts would look like.
ron

**-=Drifter=-** · 01 April 2006, 01:36 PM

Yes, very nice!!!

wW · 04 April 2006, 04:51 PM

Looks like you got it right Albacore. You can't tease us like that, Ya otta post the other pix too!

Funny, I don't consider my self a car specialist (not by any means) but that doesn't seem to stop me from having to draw them at work.

**stygg2003** · 05 April 2006, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by knightedduke

Norman,
Thanks for the wonderful complitment, but my ability in drawing these cars is not an artists skill, but that of a copyist. These cars I draw are TRACED, then I fill in the tracings with the various tools that Xara provides. So, I guess my point is, even if you have no artistic ability, Xara allows someone like me to produce a drawing like this. Thanks again.
ron

Fantastic art and art is what it is! Being a complete novice to Xara, what do you mean by traced, do you make a bitmap trace of a photograph? as I would surely love to attempt such art, but have no idea how to go about it, unless I have missed a tutorial on the subject. When you see such art it makes you want to attempt it, be it not very good but at least knowing how to do it would be the first steps. Thanks for submitting those great pictures.
Stygg.