The Download Munkey : Download This, Download That :)

Amazing vexel illustrations and 3D renders of cars that could easily pass off as real photos. Take for example, this black Lamborghini Gallardo ‘Nera’ below.

© Russ Schwenkler

Russ Schwenkler aka Dangeruss not only creates and showcases these highly detailed illustrations and renders without watermarks in his DeviantArt gallery but generously provides them in resolutions large enough to use as wallpapers for most desktops as well (personal use only - more details here).

Most of the cars illustrated are tuned Japanese cars but there’s a variety of other cars, supercars and motorcylces of both American and European makes to keep any car and /or motorcycle enthusiast really happy

Below are three of my favourites - more at DeviantArt and his official site at www.dangeruss.net.

© Russ Schwenkler

3D render of a Mitisubishi Evo IX (High Resolution @ DeviantArt)

© Russ Schwenkler

Vexel illustration of a Subaru Impreza WRX (High Resolution @ DeviantArt)

© Russ Schwenkler

3D render of Xanavi Nismo 350-Z JGTC (High Resolution @ DeviantArt)

So how does Russ go about illustrating his cars? View the steps for this Subaru Impreza WRX here or read about his vexel method of illustration on his profile page at www.dangeruss.net.

BTW, Russ also did the illustrations for the cars on the packaging of Xbox 360’s Forza Motorsports 2

MORE @ THE DOWNLOAD MUNKEY:
Forza Motorsport 2 Wallpapers
JDM Option Wallpapers
Rally Car Wallpapers & Papercraft
BMW Art Cars

I remember watching this Hanna-Barbera cartoon when I was a kid (created and aired in US in the mid 70’s but only appeared on SG TV during the 80’s). The Chopper Bunch were one of my favourite cartoon troublemakers - not villains though because they weren’t that capable There’s more info on the cartoon (but not much) on the Wikipedia entry)

Three of the mischeivous bikes were standard motorcycles with the smallest one Scrambles bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Honda Motocompo, an interesting artefact of the 80s

© Cartoon Network

From right to left:
Hi-Riser (wearing a toque)
Chopper (wearing the Prussian-style helmet)
Revs (wearing a peaked cap)
Scrambles (the little orange Motocompo)

You can view a relatively new flash animation featuring the Chopper Bunch (with the original voice artists if I’m not wrong) on Cartoon Network’s Web Premiere Toons or view the original cartoon intro at RetroJunk. Brings back good memories when my daily routine consisted only of hours of cartoons

According to Wikipedia, the spinoff comic published by the now defunct Charlton Comics from July 1975 to July 1976, feature some of the earliest published artwork of the famous comics writer/artist John Byrne (Superman, X-Men, The Hulk, etc) in the first three issues. You can view some of his early work for Charlton Comics on his official site here here.

There’s also a nice cover scan of Wheelie & The Chopper Bunch comic #1 on waffyjon’s random thoughts

I recently found some wallpapers of Lara Croft while browsing the Wallpaper section of www.ducati.com.

  
  
© Ducati

You can download these four promotional wallpapers from Ducati featuring Lara Croft from Tomb Raider Legends. Apparently she loves riding the Monster S2R in the deserts or looking at her distinctive red Ducati 999 when adventuring around the globe :). Registration is required before downloading these exclusive wallpapers.

You can also download actual wallpapers for the Ducati 999 (Love the futuristic headlight layout - looks great from the front) and Ducati Monster S2R - hmm, not my type of bike :(.

  
© Ducati

More details in a news article by www.italiaspeed.com from 17 Apr 2006.

Today is Lunar New Year in SG and so this will be the last post for the upcoming holidays. It’s time to take a break from the Internet this 3 days until 21 February.

Yamaha Motors Co (yes, the company that produces motorcycles like the MotoGP YZR-M1 below) has created the papercraft models of some of their motorcycles, rare animals of the world and festive ornaments for download.

© Yamaha

The motorcycle models are more complex and look more realistic than the animal models and there is also currently an ultra-realistic Yamaha MT-01 model in development here. (Incomplete as not all the parts are available for download yet.)

All papercraft models are available as free PDF downloads on Yamaha Motors Japan site. You will need to print them out on thick paper, cut and assemble with glue.

Some of the models available for download:
  
  

Flash video instructions are also available here.