Intro
David Parsons' automotive illustration work has a distinctive teutonic flair, with its high level of precision, and clean, clear execution that is unmistakably European.
Biography
David Parsons was born in Malmesbury, England in 1953, and began his journey into the field of illustration by studying technical illustration and design at the Gloucestershire College of Art and Design in Cheltenham, UK.
Mercedes smart forfour - © David Parsons
After graduating with a degree in Design, David's first job was working as an illustrator for Cheltenham Technical Publications. In 1978, David moved to Germany, and began working for Techdok Mainz while under contract to Industrial Artists Hitchen.
Mercedes-Benz Engine- © David Parsons
David began his freelance career as an automotive illustrator in 1980, relocating to Rüsselsheim, Germany, which is known as the home of European car manufacturer Adam Opel GmbH.
Vauxhall Astra TwinTop - © David Parsons
Throughout the 1980's David produced illustrations for a variety of automobile manufacturers, and in 1990 he founded Studio Parsons. Today, Studio Parsons continues to produce technical illustrations for Daimler AG, Opel GmbH, Mitsubishi, smart, Saab.
Chevrolet Equinox (GM HydroGen4) Cutaway © - by David Parsons
Methodology
David's original airbrush work was accomplished by constructing a line illustration within a 3 point perspective grid, using pencil and vellum. Once the pencil construction was completed, David used the "pushed-through" pencil technique to transfer a light image to the board, then using a rapidograph to ink the final line art. Finally the piece was airbrushed using acrylic paint.
Airbrush Engine Cutaway - © David Parsons
Although David purchased his first computer in 1994, he didn't begin using it as a serious illustration tool until 1998.
The first step in creating his digital illustrations is to construct a pencil line-drawing of the chassis, engine, and interior, working from photography that is shot in the required perspective so that it matches the establishing exterior photography. The pencil drawings are then scanned into the computer, and rendered in Photoshop.
Easytronic Gearbox Cutaway - © David Parsons
David will sometimes utilize 3D CAD data when it is made available by the client. The CAD data is brought into Cinema 4D where it is rotated into the required perspective, and a monochrome rendering is created. This is then exported into Photoshop where it is rendered in color.
McLaren-Mercedes SLR Cutaway - © David Parsons
The end results speak for themselves, as David's work achieves an easily readable, technically accurate, and visually stunning effect that resembles something in-between a CAD output and an old-school airbrush illustration.
To view more of David Parsons' artwork please visit: Studio Parsons
