Doug Chiang (illustrator) - Mechanika, Revised and Updated: Creating the Art of Space, Aliens, Robots and Sci-Fi

Growing up in the suburbs in Michigan, I spent my childhood days doodling exotic creatures and giant robots. Back then, I could not have imagined that someday I would be fortunate enough to do this for a living. Today, as I watch my kids draw, Im reminded of the innocence and creativity of the childs mind, completely unbound by rules, or reality, or logic. My kids draw imaginative, sometimes impossible, creationsnot because they are deliberately breaking rules, but simply because their creations fit the logic of their world. This pure, unbridled creativity is crucial for good science fiction design.

All good ideas, though, need solid techniques in order for you to realize them on paper. In this book I will demonstrate a variety of techniques that have worked well for me. These techniques have evolved out of my twenty-five years of film designing experience; they are not the result of formal art training. I bend rules when I can and strive to be flexible in my approach. As a result, I dont have hard-and-fast rules. In fact, most of my techniques are based on gut instincts about what feels and looks right.

Use this book as a starting point to find your own style. Keep in mind that what works well for me may not work for you. Adopt what is useful and throw away what is not. In the end, always remember that techniques are just tools; the ideas are what matter most.

Speaking of ideas, it may seem as if fantastic worlds demand fantastic ideas. But often that is not the case. Viewing common objects from uncommon points of view can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary; its a matter of training yourself to observe our world from new perspectives.

Research is the key. In order to design a future, you must look into the past. The vast wealth of information accumulated from thousands of years of human ingenuity is a great source of inspiration. The challenge is knowing how to tap into this resource.

You might turn an ancient Mayan ceremonial mask into an exotic robot design, for example, or a submarine into a levitating land vehicle. By doing so, you have created something unfamiliar and yet familiar at the same time. Think about tricks like those when using research for inspiration. The bonus when you invent in this manner is that your new creations will be automatically infused with the same rich history as the original sources of inspiration.

My complete design tool kit is shown on the facing page. I like to keep it simple. I use a small plastic triangle with an inking edge for clean lines. I find white vinyl erasers much better than other eraser types because they dont leave a residue. For highlights and corrections, I like Daler-Rowney Pro White paint, applied with a small Winsor & Newton Series 7 (kolinsky sable) brush. For airbrush effects, I use a spray marker unit with air compressor. For digital work, I use a Mac with a Wacom tablet and Adobe Photoshop image editing software.

A metal ruler is invaluable as a straightedge and can even be used as a guide for painting straight highlights.

My studio desk layout is simple. The U-shape configuration allows me to surround my work space with reference material. Note the diecast model cars. I collect vintage diecast Formula 1 cars to study their mechanical components. The open wheel suspension systems of these cars are great sources for robot parts.