Alright, let me tell you about this little project I called ‘future harley’. It wasn’t anything commissioned, just something I felt like messing around with one weekend.
It started pretty simply. I was just thinking about motorcycles, Harleys specifically, and how they kinda keep that classic look. But then I thought, what if you pushed it way out? Like, decades from now? What would that bike be? So, the idea was born: sketch out a futuristic Harley.
Getting Started
First thing, I didn’t jump straight onto the computer. Nah, I grabbed a notepad and a pencil. Just started doodling, really rough shapes. I wanted to keep some Harley DNA in there – you know, the V-twin shape maybe, the low-slung feel – but blend it with sci-fi stuff. Thought about power sources, maybe electric, maybe something else entirely. Lots of erasing and redrawing happened here. Spent maybe an hour just getting a basic silhouette I kinda liked.
Moving to Digital
Once I had a sketch that felt okay, I moved over to my computer. I mostly use GIMP for this kind of thing; it does the job. Scanned my rough sketch and threw it onto a layer.
- Blocking Shapes: I started blocking out the main forms on a new layer, using big, rough brushes. Didn’t worry about details yet, just getting the main volumes right – the ‘engine’ area, the frame, wheels, seat.
- Refining Lines: Then I began refining the lines, trying to make sense of the shapes. How would the frame connect? What would the suspension look like? This part took a while. I tried a few different ideas for the front end, wasn’t quite happy initially.
- Adding ‘Future’ Stuff: This was the fun part. Started adding elements that screamed ‘future’. Maybe some integrated lighting strips along the frame, a holographic display instead of gauges, sleeker materials. I decided against wheels, went for some kind of hover tech, but kept the wheel shape for familiarity.
Challenges and Tweaks
Getting the balance right was tricky. Make it too futuristic, and it doesn’t feel like a Harley anymore. Too traditional, and it’s not ‘future’. I struggled with the handlebar section for a bit, trying to integrate controls smoothly without it looking clunky. Also, figuring out the power source visually was tough. I ended up hinting at some kind of glowing core deep in the frame, keeping it a bit mysterious.
Color and Finish
With the line work mostly done, I started laying down base colors. Went for a dark metallic grey, almost black, with some deep red accents. Added some subtle chrome bits, but made them look less shiny, more like a brushed or satin finish. Then came the lighting – adding highlights to suggest the form, putting in those glowing elements I mentioned. Added some ambient light, like it was parked in a slightly grungy, neon-lit future garage. Put in some basic shadows underneath to ground it.
Final Touches: Lastly, I added some minor details. Tiny bolts, panel lines, a bit of texture here and there to make it feel less like a perfect 3D model and more like a concept sketch. Didn’t overdo it, though. Kept it relatively clean.
And that was pretty much it. Exported the final image. Looked at it for a bit. Felt pretty decent for a weekend mess-around. Just an idea I had, taken from a rough doodle to a finished concept piece. It was a fun little exercise, making something familiar feel new.
