Saturday, April 12, 2008

How to Draw Cars - Beginner Tips & Tools for Success

Learning how to draw cars is not as difficult as you may believe. Many beginners when attempting to draw cars will fail at first because of that "I can't do it" mentality. They will see all of the details, the shadows and the highlights and become intimidated and lose confidence. In order to succeed, to really learn how to draw, you must remove all preconceived notions about drawing.
Learning how to draw is really a matter of breaking down what you see into smaller parts or shapes. You have to look at the picture as a smaller step by step process. When you break things down like this the problem at hand becomes easier to draw. But before you go off and start to draw those cool muscle or race cars, you really need to understand a bit more about the supplies you will need. How else are you going to draw those cool cars?
Having good supplies is definitely going to make it easier to draw and more enjoyable, but it won't make you a better artist. You must learn and understand the basics first. Quality equipment is an aid, but it is not a substitute for your skills or abilities.
The first thing you are going to need is a good surface to draw on. You will need a solid sturdy table, desk, or drafting table. Whatever you choose to draw on, make sure the surface does not wobble and is level. Do not settle for a cheap surface. It will only frustrate you and make things more difficult. Many artists like to work on a surface that is on a slight angle towards the artist which promotes a better posture. Being comfortable is very important.
Make sure you have good lighting. Learning how to draw cars is challenging enough. You do not need the frustration of poor lighting. Your lighting should be even so that there are no shadows or hot spots of light, so you may need more than one light source to draw with. There are specially made lamps for artists that produce light which mimics natural sunlight.
You can purchase these online or at art stores, but I have found that the professionally made lights for artists can be rather expensive. If you happen to live near a Home Depot or other home improvement center, try looking in their lighting department. I purchased my lamps there for under 20 dollars each.
As for what tools you should have on hand to draw with, there are no "One drawing tool fits all" formulas. You will have to experiment with different pens and pencils until you find the ones that are the most comfortable to draw cars with. It is probably best to have a variety of drawing tools on hand.
Many car artists have various pens, pencils, markers and even paints on hand to produce different effects. For instance, some car artists prefer to work with Prismacolor "Verithin" pencils for sketching fine lines and for light shading. Other artists prefer the convenience of mechanical pencils as there is no sharpening needed. Mechanical pencils are not the best for shading in areas however. So you see, having a variety of tools on hand to draw with is essential.
Paper is another item of personal choice. Again, you have to experiment. Just like pens and pencils, there are also a variety of drawing surfaces. Try your favorite pens and pencils on various surfaces. Drawing surfaces have different textures and thicknesses and your drawing mediums will behave differently depending on the surface and how you apply them. You may also find guides helpful to draw with. Some car artists prefer to use ellipses and straight edges to help create straight lines and circles, while others work free hand.
If you do not happen to live near any art supply stores, you can always purchase your supplies online. Just go to any major search engine and type in "drawing supplies" and you will find plenty of online shops. My recommendation is Misterart.com. I have been buying my supplies there for a few years now and my shipments are always delivered fast and in perfect condition.
I hope these tips and instructions have given you more insight on how to draw cars. The most important thing with drawing cars, or any art for that matter, is to never give up. Keep practicing. Practice every day if possible and keep a sketchbook of your work so that you can keep track of your progress. You will get the hang of this and learn how to draw cars.

Seized Property Auction - Buying Cars and Real Estate for Cheap

Nearly everyday law enforcement agencies across the country seize various properties that are connected to criminal activities. Once this property has been processed and used as evidence during the criminal trial phase the government no longer needs to keep this property. To offset storage and processing costs these properties are then offered for sale at a seized property auction.
There is no cost associated with attending a government auction as they are open to anyone who is at least eighteen years old who has a valid driver's license or ID. Just be sure to do some up front research so as to familiarize yourself with how property auctions work. One thing is for sure, there will be no shortage goods and items to bid on. Here's a short list of what you can expect to find.
1. Vehicles - Cars, trucks, and SUVs are probably the most common items to be found. You will also find RVs, boats, ATVs, motorcycles, and in some cases even aircraft. Most of these vehicles have low starting bids and can be successfully purchased for much less then their market value.
2. Real estate property - The government and local law enforcement agencies seize all forms of real estate. Homes, businesses, undeveloped land, commercial property can all find its way to government seizure auctions. And much like vehicles it can be had for well below market value.
3. Furniture and household items - When real estate is seized everything inside the building has to be dealt with as well. This can be a great way to furnish your home for pennies on the dollar. Plasma TVs, Xbox's, Playstations, stereo equipment, couches, dining room sets, and just about any other household item you can think can be purchased at big discounts.
4. Art work, antiques, jewelry, and designer clothing - There is no shortage of stuff to bid on at an auction. People who run afoul of the government soon find all their stuff being auctioned off to the highest bidder, including the clothes off their backs. It is the government's way of recouping money that otherwise would fall on the tax paying public.
A great way to find out what you can bid on is using an online government seized property auction website. They keep up to date on all government auctions occurring all across the country as well as all the items that will be up for bid. This can give you a head start on other auction goers as you prepare your list of items that you wish to purchase.

Government Repo Auctions For Cheap Seized Cars and Property For Sale

If you've never heard of or attended government repo auctions then you don't know what you are missing. There are deals to be had on repossessed and seized cars and real estate at one of these free public auctions that can't be beat anywhere. If you 18 years of age or older and have a valid drivers license or ID you can participate in one of these money saving events.
There are two types of items you will find at a government repo auction; repossessed and seized properties obtained through criminal investigations and prosecutions, and defaults on loans or owed back taxes. The government uses these auctions to save money on storage costs for the large amounts of properties they seize each and every month. They also are able to recoup much of the administrative costs associated with processing these goods saving the tax payers hard earned money.
Because the government is not interested in making a profit but simply wants to cover their costs the starting bids at these auctions are usually very low. If you research your choices before hand there is a good chance you can save big on whatever you choose to bid on.
Here's what you'll find at one of these free government auctions:
1. All makes and models of vehicles. You will find cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and motorcycles at well below market value. Many of these vehicles are less then a year old and are in excellent condition. Most of the seized vehicles are a result of law enforcement arrests and prosecutions which means in many cases they are high end vehicles. Being able to score a luxury sedan, sports car, or tricked out SUV for less then Blue Book value is one of the big draws of these auctions.
2. All types of real estate that includes single family homes, luxury vacation homes, and businesses with all the equipment, commercial property, and undeveloped land. For those who are looking to use real estate as an investment tool a government property auction can be a great place to start.
Participating online is also an option in the internet age. The internet auction sites provide updated listings of when and where these auctions are taking place along with updated listings of all the items that can be bid on. This gives you the chance to do the necessary research before hand which can help you decide what things are worth and what type of bid package you are comfortable with.

Hydrogen Powered Cars Using Water As Fuel - Great Gas Saver - HHO Gas

If you watch the news at all or surf the web, you would have heard all about hydrogen powered cars. The reason the kits are so popular, is because the are using water as fuel called HHO gas. The system will increase gas mileage, give additional power and reduce emissions. The system will easily give your vehicle a 30 - 70% better fuel mileage, which will be a great gas saver.
The HHO gas system for hydrogen powered cars can be found online. There is a lot of different systems out there that have a steep price tag, but don't get me wrong they are all worth every dollar. Once you put the info into effect on your vehicle, you will see why using water as fuel is such a great gas saver.
Through a very simple process of electrolysis water that is in a sealed container under the hood or your vehicle, that is converted to hydroxy also known as HHO gas. The fluid is then feed through the airflow into the manifold by way of your engines vacuum, which is then mixed with your engines fuel to give it better mileage.
The HHO gas system, is simple to build. With most of the parts probably lying around your home or garage. The major items are a quart size container some electrical wire, baking soda, an automobile fuse and a couple of feet of vacuum hose. The great thing about this kit is that it works with plain tap water. Convert your fleet of vehicles to hydrogen powered cars using water as fuel for a great gas saver.

Chrysler' Future Hybrid Cars

Chrysler's Future Hybrid Cars were a big hit at the Last Detroit Auto Show this year. In the next few years we will see many changes in the Auto industry, most drastically will be the move towards the totally Electric Cars and Diesel Hybrid Cars. Detroit has seen the writing on the wall and has started a major move in that direction. This years Detroit Auto show had several new additions to the Hybrid Cars of The Future. The 2008 Hybrid Cars have made an impact but these concept Hybrid Cars from Chrysler blows them away. When you look at these American Hybrid Cars of the Future you can see that the Green Car movement is alive and well in Detroit.
Chrysler's three electric concept cars were some of the most popular displays at the show. The ecoVoyger was the most elegant of the three, the Jeep Renegade designed for the more rugged green buyer, and the Dodge Zeo appealed the driving enthusiasts in the crowd. Each one had its own driving niche to fill. The Social Impact of Hybrid Cars is plain to see by the amount of interest in Hybrid Cars lately that the general public has shown.
The ecoVoyager has glass roof with a center spine and boat like tail with short body overhangs. It has four seats that are contoured the body and a recessed area in the headliner that directs music to each seat without the need of privet headsets. Why Hybrid Cars Get Great Mileage is because of their duel power system and this Luxury Hybrid Car is no exception. The ecoVoyager has a 268 horsepower electric motor and a driving range that can be extended to 300 miles when combined with a Hydrogen Fuel Cell extender. This Hybrid Car will be high in the List of Hybrid Cars Coming soon. The ease of entry is achieved by front doors that open top 90 degrees and rear doors that are hinged in the rear and swing to the back. I hope to see more of these Hybrid Cars on the road not just on stage.
The Jeep Renegade has a 1.5 liter three cylinder Diesel Engine that charges the battery pack for an extended range of 400 miles that should make any off road lover smile. The Renegade has two electric motors one on each axle that are 200 hundred kilowatt putting out 268 hp. The drive train comes complete with a low range gear and locking differentials. Rubber clad headlights and tail lights add to it's rugged off road look. When you see this vehicle you know its not your ordinary Diesel Hybrid Car. The Renegade will not be on the list of Luxury Hybrid Cars but it fits the niche it was designed for quite well. The features on the Renegade will be a bench mark for Off Road Hybrid Cars to aspire to.
Inside the interior we have a one piece co-molded instrument panel covered with a urethane skin and the steering wheel is made of light weight silicone and aluminum.
Chrysler has built this car to go almost anywhere and have the same long range capabilities as any normal gas powered vehicle. This Chrysler marvel has all the Benefits of Hybrid Cars and Off Road Capabilities combined.
The Chrysler ZEO (short for zero emissions) is just that thanks to a single 200 kilowatt 268 hp electric motor that is powered by a 64 kilowatt battery pack, that makes this car an All Electric Car. The car has a range of 250 miles and a purposed 0 to 60 in under 6 seconds. As you can see in the picture it has four scissor doors with the rear doors pivoting to the back and away from the rear seats for easy entry.
A narrow console sweeps down from the windshield to the rear giving a twin cockpit effect. The dashboard is a wide sloping fabric covered curved piece that travels past the front door into the back panels with wonderful uniformity. The windshield, steering wheel, and instruments give a single design impression to the passengers. With the low slung sporty look that this car has Seemed to appeal to many of the visitors at the Detroit Auto Show. This could be one of the best non Hybrid Cars of The Future for fun commuting around town. The Tax Rebate on both Hybrid Cars and Electric Cars Gives added incentive for everyone to take a second look at these cars in the future.

No Cars, Just My Dirtbike on the Countryside

Since at a young age, I loved the brute force and agility of a dirt motorcycle. This makes it more interesting as the beauty, serenity, and the sense of power of vast plains, and rolling hills also fascinate me. Virgin forests seem to always beckon and attract me to explore and bask in its beauty and mystery.
A horse would have been lovelier for these weekend adventures. But being an urban geek that I am, it would be geekier if you find a Quarter Horse in my pad, wouldn't it? Besides that, I like my 449cc liquid-cooled four stroke engine Honda CRF450X better. This motorcycle also makes my living room look more hip as it stands there like a large work of art....and modern technology.
A motorcycle is the modern equivalent of the horse, and this is exactly what I have in mind whenever I am on my weekend adrenaline motorbike overdrive in the countryside. It's just me, my motorcycle, my motorcycle gear, and, for protection, my shoei helmet, against the wilds.
HONDA CRF450X
The new Honda CRF450X motorcycle is the best trail bike I ever had. It packs a big-bore brute force of 449cc engine with a lot of fine-tuned qualities like the new Honda Progressive Steering Damper, better chassis and it's over-all body look improved by its much slimmer fuel tank.
Driving this motorcyle through the panorama of rolling hills, it seems to grow wings. It flies! It roars! It canters, it gallops. Nothing feels more reassuring and more powerful than the sound of its engine as this beast responds with the slightest twist of its throttle, the squeeze of its clutch, a tap to shift gears. It's a fine good steed, a pure-breed race-horse that blends motocross with off-road.
SHOIE MOTORCYCLE HELMET AND SAFETY MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES
Looking from afar, you would see me bob up and down like a trapeze artist on wheels as I glide and fly from hill slope after hill slope. In the woods, I'd challenge the steepest longest uphill climb, drive around or over rocks, all the time trying to maintain the fastest speed. This is something I can't show my wife-not even my mom. They'd for sure freak out.
Years of experience on rough trails and terrains (and some bad falls and crashes) proved useful in improving my style. Thanks also to my motorcycle accessories like the safety helmet, elbow and knee pads, motorcycle gloves (or my palms and other parts of my body would have been totally skinless by now!) that I always don as a prerequisite to these kick-butt adventures.
You could not count the number of "wahoos" I scream when I fly. I could imagine my pupils dilating as I climb steep hills at high speed, negotiating my way around trees, boulders, logs, some roots (which could be very fatal) a couple of ruts, and soft mounds. Crossing creeks or even driving uphill within them is simply wonderful as you are flanked by mist in rainbow colors. The shallow rocky rivers are quite a beauty to conquer too.
I have had my share of falls and bad crashes from roots, sharp bends that end towards a log, burrows, and loose rocks. Safety helmet, proper clothing, pads, and an ounce of stoicism every time you fall surely help. Enjoy riding!

Car Speakers - Value Enhancer of Cars

One of the things that go a long way in making the cars likable is speakers. Those wonderful devices that add unlimited attraction to cars. So much so that had they not been inserted in the cars there wouldn't have been much takers for this glorious machine. It is precisely for this reason that cars roll out from the factories after speakers have been fitted in them. Car speakers ensure that people are connected with the world even when they are riding from one town to other. One can catch up with news, or one's favorite programmes or that special bulletin on budget, or the score of Chelsea, Manchester United in the football championship. Thanks to these speakers.
With them on, one is ensured that longest of the journeys are rarely felt as time just flies by without giving one the opportunity to get bored or fatigued. Then it is not that one can only listen to radio programmes but one can also listen to one's favourite records as well. So you can have Beatles singing for you even when on move. They are also the best way to cut out the traffic noise.
However, to enjoy your favourite song one must ensure that the speakers or the car audio is in top condition. If it is not the case then one can be rest assured that the purpose of having a car speaker would be ruined. Also ruined, to a large extent, would be those lovely rides from one place to other.
A slight attention towards proper maintenance of car speakers or audio would go a long way in enhancing the joy of car rides immensely. Just make sure that the speakers are switched of when you step out of car. Make sure that you dust them properly and do not raise the volume of car too much. Little bit of precautions like these would go a long way on ensuring that car speakers go a long way in serving one in top condition.

Satellite Radio is Becoming a Popular Option in New Cars - Equipped From the Dealership

Satellite Radio has, in recent years, swept the nation. The unique programming offered by providers providers like XM Radio and Sirius Radio, combined with the no-commercial or little-commercial format, has people buzzing. It is taking hold so strongly that it is becoming one of the most popular options in new cars. In fact, the demand for Satellite Radio as an option for new cars has increased greatly, surpassing most other popular options. For example, from 2003 to 2005, the demand for these being equipped from the dealership rose by 300 percent, while the demand for side air bags increased only 16.8 percent.
There are good reasons why Satellite Radio is becoming a popular option in new cars. When they are equipped from the dealership, the customer doesn't have to worry about positioning the antenna, running wires, or hooking it all into their existing stereo. For many people, this is good enough reason by itself to have XM or SIRUUS Radio installed at the dealer. In many ways, having this in a new car is like having FM radio in a new car so many years ago; it is a symbol of status, and in some circles, of taste.
XM Satellite Radio, while at times a more popular option for Satellite Radio listening, is a little bit more limited in terms of which new cars can come equipped with it from the dealership. General Motors, American Honda Motor Company, Toyota, Audi, and Nissan all have models that have XM radio as an installation option in their new cars.
Sirius Satellite Radio has been available in a variety of new cars over the last several years. The brands that have had Sirius as an option to be installed at the dealership have included Lexus, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Lincoln-Mercury, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Infiniti, MINI, Porsche, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Mazda. These Sirius radios for new cars are made by a variety of companies, including Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, Delphi, Sanyo, and many more. In addition to ordering Sirius as an option in new cars, you can, of course, add it down the road.
If you are considering a new car, you should explore your options for Satellite Radio. You can be almost certain that driving your new car home with it installed will make that new car experience even more exciting.

RC Hobby Nitro Cars and Trucks - Tips for Beginner RC Hobbyists

Imagine driving an RC Gas vehicle 50+ MPH down the street, jumping over the curb or an obstacle course you created (because you have a lot of time on your hand), or even jump over your roof top (YouTube Bazooka Buggy and you'll see what I mean). You'll be the envy of many people.
Yes, we all want to relive or live our youth, and RC Nitro Fuel Gas Car can help us feel like a kid again. Nitro Cars is a safe and exciting hobby to get into, and with the influx of newcomers into the industry, RC's are becoming extremely affordable in ready-to-run kits. If you are an expert and have been in the hobby for many years, you may be investing $500+ in a U.S-branded gas car like Traxxas, HPI, etc. and paying a good penny for parts (you will need parts unless you drive 5 MPH).
For the rest of us who don't have that deep of a pocket, but still want a car to have lots of fun with on the weekend, a beginner RC Car will suffice. Many Chinese-branded manufacturers such as HI-Speed, Himoto, Smartech, ACME-Tech are all great cars for beginners. For the most part, they can be purchased for under $200, and parts are readily available. If you have a good supplier, you are sure to enjoy your car and have spare parts available in case you "accidentally" crash. How do you choose what is best? It depends on the type of terrain that the car will be driven on. On-Road Gas Cars - These are perfect if you are looking to operate mostly in smooth surfaces; use the car around the block/parking lot, a park (smooth surface), or run laps on race tracks. Good Gas Cars include the Himoto Rapida Pro.Off-Road Gas Buggy - Great if you are looking to perform jumps, and operate in rocky terrains, grassy area, or even smooth surfaces. The off-road gas buggies are versatile and can operate in all types of terrains. ACME-Tech provides RTR buggy kits that are fast and great for beginners. Off-Road Truck - Similar to the off road buggy. More durable than the buggy, but generally a bit slower. Usually a bit more resistant to crashes, and easy to operate. 1/8 and 1/10 scales are the common scale, although 1/16 scales are becoming quite popular. The main difference is the ground clearance and size. RC Nitro Trucks are extremely popular and tend to be best selling. What is needed? All RTR kits come with almost everything you would need to get your vehicle running. All you would need is a glow plug Igniter and 20% glow fuel. These are usually 20% mixture of nitro methane and can be purchased at your local hobby shop. Your nearest HobbytownUSA is also a great resource.It is important to adjust the carburetor settings once you receive your car. You would need to adjust the High/Low/Idle needle settings to prime your car. Please refer to your instruction manual or you can email us for settings and troubleshoot guides. In your initial stage of starting the car, make sure fuel is able to travel to the engine, and the glow plug is fully charged. Once started with the loud rev of the engine, you're good to go and ready to have lots of fun!