How to Do 3D Anamorphic Artwork and Sidewalk, Street, and Driveway Art

Hello,
My name is "Grease" and this is my first Instructable.
I would like to "Thank You" for stopping by.

Have you ever seen the 3D Anamorphic pictures that Julian Beever has drawn on the sidewalks, streets and driveways
.
Well, this is my version of doing it, on printed paper, from your computer.
I did do a chalk drawing of the lighter.
You will have to go to step 8, to see all the pictures.

It is pretty simple to do.
I did all my artwork in Coreldraw X3.
Any Vector program would work.

I used a cigarette lighter, as the artwork.

I think it worked out quite well!

If you want to learn my technique,
please proceed on...

Can YOU tell which is the REAL lighter??

Yet, another 3D drawing instructable that I made.
Here is where it is located:
3D Drawings in Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 6

Step 1: The GRID

The first thing I did was draw the grids as shown below.
I drew the blue grid first.
Then I added perspective to the blue grid and turned it into a black grid.
(you could trace over my grids)

In Coreldraw X3 I used the Add Perspective Effect.

Step 2: Place Object in the Grid.

Then I inserted my artwork that I wanted to be 3D.
As shown the cigarette lighter.

Then group your object and the black grid.

I had to convert the lighter to vectors, or the
ADD perspective effect would not work.

Ok, on to the the next step.

Step 3: Add Perspective to Object and Black Grid.

Now, using the Add Perspective Effect.
I lined up the black grid with the blue grid, as shown.
I used a lot of pushing, pulling and nudging the nodes in
Add Perspective mode.

This would be the printed image, you would bring to the
sidewalk to draw from.

Draw a grid on the side walk, then copy the lighter into
the grid!
You would want to draw your grid very lightly, so you could
erase or chalk in with the driveway color.

You could also make your grid from some pinstripe tape.
Then peel the tape up, after you have a good sketch done of
your artwork.

Pretty simple, eh...

Step 4: Remove Black Grid and Add Shadows.

Now, I removed the grids.
Which were on separate layers.
I had to ungroup the lighter and black grid, first.
Then removed the grids.

And I was left with the distorted lighter.
Then I added the shadows to match the other real lighter.
Or you could use the actual shadows from the original.

You could leave the blue grid on.
Print out a copy.
Bring that art work with you to the sidewalk, to grid it out.

You would have to draw your grid very lightly on the sidewalk
then just draw your image as it appears in the grid.

Ok, this is my final image, which I would print out
on my inkjet printer.

Step 5: Photograph With Camera on Tripod.

This is the printed copy photographed.

I had my camera on a tripod.
With no flash.

You will have to adjust the tripod to match with the 3D object.

Voilà!

You could print some stickers, or use it as a guide to go to the sidewalk
and draw it.

Now to peek at what the Artwork looks like, head on!

Step 6: Actual Picture of Stretched Artwork.

Here is the original lighter with the printed copy next to it.

Pretty amazing, huh...

Check some other pictures I did...

Step 7: My 3D Paper Examples

Here a few I did..

NO photoshop involved!

I am sure this technique could be applied to the Sidewalk method.

You would just make sure you have a good 3D picture to start with.

Note, the 3D shadow is wrong, with the knife.
Two lights, maybe?

Hope you all Enjoy!!!

Proceed to Step 8, to see my chalk drawing!

Step 8: My FIRST 3D Chalk Drawing. More to Come...

Well, I'm no Julian Beever.

This is what I came up with..
The chalk drawing actual size is about 3 feet by 21 feet long.

I spent about 6 hours on it today..

I only used the Thick Chalk you get at Walmart.
So, my palette was limited.

Enjoy...

Update:
Just finished another chalk drawing today. 5-28-2009.
Hope you like it.
I think it turned out rather well!

I did use my grid method to draw the gumball machine.
Also, had better chalks this time.
Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed my instructable!

Comments

[pcgeekchick]

How do you put the picture onto the paper?

[Greasetattoo]

Printer....

[CJ McCollough]

Hi, Thank you for a really good tutorial. I just have a question. I want to use this as a basis for 3d street art. Do you have a tip for me to find the right perspective in the first step? Should I just "eyeball" it ? Thanks CJ

[Greasetattoo]

Yes, just get the best perspective you can.. Mostly eyeball. Glad you liked it!

[Tr3vor88]

Why do they draw a grid first, what does it do?

[Greasetattoo]

It helps with the later steps...

[Chubbyart]

Pls can this Corel draw work with iPhone and what’s the app name ?

[brian is surviving]

i found the real lighter

[BariF3]

Thank you. This is the first instructable I came across. I have CorelDraw as well, and it was very helpful.

[BariF3]

Thank you. This is the first instructable I came across. I have CorelDraw as well, and this was very helpful.

[ceremona]

Thank you!

[sveedio]

honestly i just wish there was a way to do this with hardware( e.g. pencil and paper)

[MartinK133]

Ok so if I have a 3d editor... I just have to project the sceen on a 2d plane which would be my 2d surface from the eye point where I usually stand... and print this 2d plane texture... free shadows

[Greasetattoo]

you lost me...

[Chiofalot]

If you know what to look for in reality and not reality then you could easily tell that the lighter on the right is the fake one. You can tell by the shading, the lighting, and the fact that it would be impossible to draw something EXACTLY like the real thing, it is possible however to draw something very close to the real thing but it will never be exactly like it.

[Greasetattoo]

Well, I tried!
I thought I did a pretty good job at it!

[BLASTFEMI]

I forgot to add the link! Check this cool idea out they are making roads safer with 3D paintings!

http://amazyble.com/creative/india-slow-speeding-drivers-3d-paintings-speed-breakers/

[Greasetattoo]

Yes, very nice!
Thank you!

[BLASTFEMI]

These are too cool! I HAVE to try this! Thanks for all the info!

[becks2004rlh]

i can tell by the shadows ;-)