Where can I find reference for drawing mechanical parts for sci-fi art?

**Mick2006** · January 11th, 2009, 06:43 PM

I always wanted to know how to draw robot like characters and futuristic guns. I can do the outline of these figures no problem but I just cannot figure out how to draw the mechanical parts like bolters,wires and mechanical joints to make my sketches look more futuristic. I have been searching the internet for reference on mechanical parts but I cant find any can anyone tell me where I look?

**MephistoLV** · January 11th, 2009, 07:48 PM

Home Depot, Lowe's, or any other suitable home improvement or tool store is a good place to start. Also check out the local auto wrecking yard...

**Rocketrat** · January 11th, 2009, 07:59 PM

I often have the same problem. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for advice too.

**Stephen Mason** · January 11th, 2009, 08:07 PM

junk yard would be cool, if you can find references on the net you need to go and find them out there in the real world. take apart some old electronic thing? draw whats inside! xx

**kev ferrara** · January 11th, 2009, 09:26 PM

Used electronics parts store. Junk shops. Junk yards. Google electronic junk. etc.
Other sci-fi artists. (Every day, take a few sci fi drawings that you like and redraw the hardware you like into your notebook for future reference.) There's thread on ca I started with sci fi machinery and gadgets on it... you might want to resurrect it and add your favorite images to it. Here it is: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=113844
Your own imagination. Learn how to draw cylinders, spheres, and repeating elements. Learn perspective and creating ellipses (circles in perspective).

kev

**J Wilson** · January 11th, 2009, 09:53 PM

Google up machines of all different kinds. Don't just search under one key word, try dozens. With as many photos as there are on the internet, you should be able to find reference on just about anything you can think of easily enough. Basing your designs on existing machines and elements will make them feel all the more plausible. I'd highly recommend working more from photos and real machines than other artist's works.

**Aaron Death** · January 17th, 2009, 11:37 AM

You can actually learn some mechanics anyway. Knowing why things work enable you to DESIGN machines instead of drawing random bolts, joints and wires and whatever. Just go to about.com, they had some really great articles.