Over the past 2 years I've used a lot more "reference tracing" as I figured out how 3D objects work together on a 2D plane. I called it practicing at first until I used it in production on objects that would take more than 20 mins to render by guess work alone. Causing mad anxiety because I couldn't figure out how a real life objects would work with different parts like cars and planes.
Now I use a sort of photobashing method where I merge several objects together as a reference point and make something new. Unless it has to be a Branded product like your specific Bike. Even then I probably would add something extra for me. Lol
Excellent Write up. These are hot button topics that we can teach others
As per usual - great breakdown of a complex topic.
The biggest thing for me is the digital photo/sketchup model tracer tends to fall into the uncanny valley trap where they stop cartooning and rely too heavily on tracing stuff off. I'd rather see the mistakes and flaws than see something that's "perfect" but feels lifeless.
The old comics pro who'd trace things off occasionally would have the inherent abstraction of the brush or nib to aid in bringing life - using digital tools sometimes means that it's too easy to go 1 for 1 on the source material. Something that I think you've figured out a good way of avoiding while still using digital tools.
Over the past 2 years I've used a lot more "reference tracing" as I figured out how 3D objects work together on a 2D plane. I called it practicing at first until I used it in production on objects that would take more than 20 mins to render by guess work alone. Causing mad anxiety because I couldn't figure out how a real life objects would work with different parts like cars and planes.
Now I use a sort of photobashing method where I merge several objects together as a reference point and make something new. Unless it has to be a Branded product like your specific Bike. Even then I probably would add something extra for me. Lol
Excellent Write up. These are hot button topics that we can teach others
As per usual - great breakdown of a complex topic.
The biggest thing for me is the digital photo/sketchup model tracer tends to fall into the uncanny valley trap where they stop cartooning and rely too heavily on tracing stuff off. I'd rather see the mistakes and flaws than see something that's "perfect" but feels lifeless.
The old comics pro who'd trace things off occasionally would have the inherent abstraction of the brush or nib to aid in bringing life - using digital tools sometimes means that it's too easy to go 1 for 1 on the source material. Something that I think you've figured out a good way of avoiding while still using digital tools.