inkworm site header top of the page

The evolution of images from pencil to Illustrator

How things happen...

All images start off with a really sharp pencil, a blank piece of paper and a good cup of tea. Then it's time to do some research and get as much source information on the subject as possible, where ever possible this is by finding the subject and taking lots of photos, failing that it is image searches on the interwebby.

Harrier VW Camper Van

Once the image is drawn out (several times) it is scanned into Photoshop, a few tweaks of the levels to clean up the lines and it's saved as a psd file.

Harrier VW Camper Van

The file is then opened up in Illustrator and converted to a template, in outline mode the basic shapes are then traced and coloured.

Harrier VW Camper Van

Using a combination of clipping masks, gaussian blurs and gradient meshes the shading and highlights start building up.

Harrier VW Camper Van

Details start to be added and the shading work continues, with constant reference to the visual sources.

Harrier VW Camper Van

Even more shading, plus some tweaks to shapes of various parts, the need for alterations becoming evident as the rendering takes place.

Harrier VW Camper Van

Outline screenshots to show just how many paths go to make up the illustrations.

Harrier VW Camper Van

The final details are added and the image is ready!

bottom of the page