How to Draw Cars Like a Pro, 2nd Edition (Motorbooks Studio) [Paperback]

Thom Taylor (Author), Lisa Hallett (Author)

Book Description

Series: Motorbooks Studio | Publication Date: May 31, 2006

In this long-awaited follow-up to the best-selling first edition of How to Draw Cars Like a Pro, renowned car designer Thom Taylor goes back to the drawing board to update his classic with all-new illustrations and to expand on such topics as the use of computers in design today. Taylor begins with advice on selecting the proper tools and equipment, then moves on to perspective and proportion, sketching and cartooning, various media, and light, shadow, reflection, color, and even interiors. Written to help enthusiasts at all artistic levels, his book also features more than 200 examples from many of today’s top artists in the automotive field. Updated to include computerized illustration techniques.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rod & Custom, February 2007

“Whether you’re a notebook doodler who wants to develop some skills, an expert illustrator looking to take it to the next level, or someone who doesn’t even own a pencil but loves excellent hot rod illustrations, How to Draw Cars Like a Pro is your book.”

 

American Car World (UK), September 2006

“Cracking artwork in there, both of actual chopper designs and some cartoon stuff, which emphasizes the fun aspect.”

Classic and Sports Car, October 2006

“A boon for every stylist and budding enthusiast.”

Classic Cars (UK), December 2006

“Regardless of whether you intend to have a go yourself, this 143-page softback helps you understand why the best motoring art is so captivating and why so much of it just doesn’t look right.”

About the Author

Thom Taylor is a four-time winner of the coveted America's Most Beautiful Roadster award and an inductee into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame.  A graduate of Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, he has designed cars for builders like Boyd Coddington and Roy Brizio, and for celebrities Eric Clapton, Tim Allen, and Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top.  In addition to creating signature die-cast lines for Racing Champions, Revell, and Testors, Thom is the author of Motorbooks' How to Draw Choppers Like a Pro.

Lisa Hallett is a writer and editor based in Southern California.  Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles, Times, Emmy, and Westways.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 2nd edition (May 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760323917
• ISBN-13: 978-0760323915
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well organized, illustrated, and explained book., February 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Draw Cars Like a Pro (Paperback)

Being a car enthusiast and artist, I believe that this book is a very well explained, contains awesome illustrations, and provides an easy to follow hands on course for all automotive enthusiasts and artists. The book provides a good sense of feel for drawing cars, while at the same time not limiting the reader, or rather, the drawer to drawing the "stereotypical" car. The drawer is able to take the concepts reviewed in the book, and then incorporate his or her ideas to expand one's abilities. This is a great review for professional designers, a handy resource for all designers, and a good learning tool for the younger artists. I enjoyed reading (viewing) this book and recommend it to anyone even the slightest bit interested.

-Brian (PVKnight)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best primer on the basics by the best artist, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Draw Cars Like a Pro (Paperback)

As a mechanical engineer and an artist I have always liked building street rods and custom vehicles. I have been a huge fan of Thom Taylor's designs and ability to put them on paper for years. Taylor goes methodically through the basics and reasoning, with examples by himself and other great artists, to give one the foundation needed to start drawing with sound fundamentals. The artistic quality of the book itself is worth the price.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Teens love this book, October 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Draw Cars Like a Pro (Paperback)

I bought this book for a 16 yr old "motorhead" and I was a little worried when I ordered it that it would be too juvenile. It isn't. He said it was "awesome" and thanked me about 3 times (and if you know 16 yr old boys this is high praise). It has a good variety of techniques and subjects (i.e.: shading, color techniques, trucks, interiors, race cars, cartoons) and a little bit on how to pursue this as a career with art design schools and all. That made it even better in my opinion.
If your teen is really into drawing cars and may even think about auto design as a career, this would be a good book to get them started.