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Creating Unbelievable Detail with Intuos3 and Adobe Illustrator |
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One of the world’s most highly sought after technical illustrators, Kevin Hulsey (see profile below) has been using Wacom tablets since 1997 when he made the switch from conventional to digital drawing. With one of the highest-ranked illustration tutorial sites in the world on both conventional and digital drawing methods and techniques, he is both a teacher as well as artist, and his tool of choice is the Wacom Intuos3 6x8.
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“Technical illustration is not subjective like fine art or other types of illustration,” Kevin explains. “The only requirements are that you draw the subject matter correctly and make the illustration readable. Lighting, and deciding where and/or how to cut-away an object are the most ‘creative’ aspects of illustration?”
“Draw the subject matter correctly” is perhaps a bit of Kevin’s modesty showing through. Technical illustrators do not just draw their subjects correctly, they dissect and examine with amazingly precision every single detail of the subject. Cut-away illustrations show what is beneath the products exterior: circuitry in the case of a digital camera, the engine in the case of a car, the rooms of a house, etc.
Technical illustrators work with design or architectural blueprints, photographs, and other reference material to create the most accurate possible depiction of the subject which may be anything from an engine gear to a new shopping complex.
This cut-away illustration of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Radiance of the Seas, appears on one of Kevin’s Adobe Illustrator tutorials (To read this tutorial, click here: http://www.khulsey.com/demo_1howto.html). The original file is 36 inches at 350 dpi, with 35 layers in order to accommodate the incredible amount of detail. “If it is there, and the resolution of the final output will show it, you need to draw it,” he says humbly. On closer inspection of the website, it seems the file took 720 hours to create. |
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| This enlargement is of the pool deck |
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| With 720 hours of work time, the reason Kevin uses Wacom tablets becomes clear. “The tablet is an essential piece of equipment. It speeds up the process to use both hands. With one hand you can draw ‘freehand’ and/or draw ‘paths’ using the tablet, while with the other hand, you can use a trackball to constrain line movements or use shortcut keyboard commands.” He not only saves time by working digitally, the “natural” feel of the battery-free pen helps to stave off the pain and fatigue that can come with the intense hours required in this profession. |
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Empress of the Seas Cut-away
(click here for enlargements: http://www.khulsey.com/empress_main.html)
Automobile Cut-away
(click here for tutorial: http://www.khulsey.com/demo_howto_car.html)
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Kevin works with dual monitors, a 23” Apple Cinema HD Display and a 17” Cinema Flat-Panel Display. One display is used for the illustration only, and the other is used for settings, control panels, etc. This allows him the largest amount of screen space for his illustration. Left-handed, Kevin places the Wacom Intuos3 just in front of his keyboard as shown in the illustration. He recommends that you “keep your keyboard, track ball (or mouse), and drawing tablet as close to each other as possible to avoid large arm movements or reaching. … Limiting arm and wrist movement will prevent conditions known as Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), or Overuse Syndrome.”
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 Kevin Hulsey was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1955. Specializing in automotive and industrial cutaway illustration, Kevin has earned a reputation as one of the world's premiere technical illustrators. Since 1980, Kevin's talent has been recognized by the advertising industry; he has received numerous awards from Belding, Best in the West, Communication Arts Magazine, and the ADLA.
Over the years, Kevin has worked for many of the top fortune 500 companies. From the transportation to entertainment, technology and manufacturing, he has produced illustrations for names such as Coca Cola, Toyota, Sony, Nike, and over 120 others. (Click here for a detailed client list: http://www.khulsey.com/client_list.html)
Although largely self-taught, Kevin has a strong background in architecture, drafting and design. He works in various mediums including oils, acrylics, airbrush, and computer graphics in both fine and commercial art. Kevin's studio is located in CarmelCalifornia. Visit his website for tutorials, stock images, and more: www.khulsey.com
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