A PRIVATE PORTRAIT OF A 1973 CHEVROLET C-10
This article explores the work process of doing an automotive private portrait, and gives an overview of the interaction between me, Alain Lemire, automobile portraitist and the customer.
A former colleague I met when I was working in the printing industry in the 80’s, has restored the Chevrolet C-10 truck that his father bought new in 1973.
He asked me to draw his truck on a 14"X21" of size image. He provided me with some pictures of the time his father used to go hunting and a few more taken in the fall of 2016.
I chose a 3/4 front view picture. I added the Chevrolet and C-10 emblems by doing a photomontage.
Starting from a recent photo, I make sure that I have the vehicle in its current condition.
STEP 1 OF THE DRAWING
I began this step by drawing the vehicle by using a 0.5 mm pencil. Once the drawing is scanned, I added the color using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom drawing tablet and pen.
The 1973 Quebec front plate number is related to the truck, and it gives an authentic personalisation wanted by my customer.
STEP 2 OF THE DRAWING
I always start by delimiting the color zones by applying a uniform tint. Each color is applied on a different layer, a little as if I was coloring on transparent acetates.
The colors are thus separated by materials, the body in turquoise, the chrome in sky blue, the black areas and so
on!
STEP 3 OF THE DRAWING
Then, I begin the work of the volumes using tones that are lighter and darker than the spot color of the layer. I take this opportunity to add a bluish gray gradient and another beige in the background.
Once the truck is finished coloring, I attack the scenery. I include in the rounded corner shape, a blue sky with some clouds drawn from scratch.
A descriptive text related the vehicle history is added, increasing the personalised aspect of this Chevrolet C-10 artwork.
STEP 4 OF THE DRAWING
The colors of the background now well adjusted, I add a wide light band at the bottom of the image that will bring out the emblems and information of the truck.
When finished everything, I send, an image for approval by my client. In this case, he found the color of the body too light. I adjusted 2 times the body color until time to fall right on.
This private art print is signed and numbered "1/1", ensuring that the artwork is 100% exclusive to the customer. There will be no limited edition done from this artwork.
FRAMING OF THE ARTWORK
After approval, the artwork was printed, photographed for Facebook publication and framed with a white double mat, surrounded by a black wood molding. With this rather classic color scheme, the frame can be hung on a majority of wall colors.
A certificate of authenticity is produced, giving the date of when the artwork was done and detailing its realization.
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This is where the passion, restoration and preservation of a car take on a greater meaning.
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THE ARTWORK IN DETAILS
TO KNOW HOW MUCH COSTS SUCH A PERSONALISED VEHICLE PORTRAIT, COMPLETE THE SMALL FORM BELOW