1947 Ford Pencil Sketch
I wanted to try something new this week. I’ve really been enjoying creating art on gray paper because the darker paper allows a stronger contrast between black and white highlights. I enjoy creating the pen and marker drawings, but sometimes it comes out very rigid. This week, I needed to do something a little looser with a little more freedom, which begat this 1947 Ford pencil sketch.
I usually start my sketches with a pencil sketch anyway to clarify proportions, but I needed to draw something this week that was freer and less risky. Pencil is a forgiving medium, and if you mess it up, you can erase (sorry art teachers). It gives you the option to turn your brain off and just feel, which is kind of nice once in awhile. One thing I love about drawing is the mental challenge it provides – it takes careful thought to plan out in advance how to go about making a drawing, and how to problem solve along the way. Without the pressure of erase-less ink, drawing in pencil can help me relax, shut off, and just be expressive – this is stress relief.
My first try was this profile view, also a 1947 Ford. As a side note, I chose the ’46-’48 Ford because I hadn’t done one yet, it looks cool, and I saw a few at the Woodward Dream Cruise this week. Also, Tim restored one on Home Improvement (he actually owns that car, by the way).
Pencil is messy, and I don’t have the different grades (I’m just using a #2 Ticonderoga), but I think it turned out well. Since this was just an experiment, I kept it simple – smoothie wheels, simple profile view, minimal details. I did make a fat rear tire and added a scallop, and then framed the car with a background square.
After proving out the concept, I made the 3/4-view lowrider. There are a few mistakes – most notably, the greenhouse is laid too far back. I won’t correct them though, because the point is the experience and expression by freedom to be loose predominantly over correctness.
I used White Charcoal for the shiny reflections, which still contrasts well with the pencil, and pops the drawing off the page. I enjoyed doing something different and making this 1947 Ford pencil sketch – I think I’ll try another car.
This drawing is available for sale here.