Fireball Tim’s Coloring Books Celebrate the World of Car Design
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Are you on the hunt for an affordable gift for a car-obsessed kid—or spouse? Nothing delivers bang for the buck like Fireball Tim’s automotive-themed coloring books.
Fireball Tim Lawrence is a Hollywood concept artist whose credits include movies, television series, and commercial work. He has worked on films like Batman, The Flintstones, Gone in 60 Seconds, Escape from LA, and Speed Racer.
Lawrence launched his expanding universe of car coloring books a decade ago, and the world’s a better place for it. The benefits of coloring books are manifold. But don’t take our word for it. The Mayo Clinic states that coloring promotes mindfulness and relieves stress. So if Pops needs to take the edge off, haul out the markers.
eBay Motors spoke with Fireball about his passion for art and cars. Here’s our edited chat.
How old were you when you first started drawing cars?
The first time I tried to draw a car was the first time I picked up a pencil. But my family didn’t care much about cars, so my love of them came from a higher source. I had a habit of always packing a pencil, pen, and a stack of index cards—even during school. I visited after-school detention more times than I can count, but it gave me time to draw.
Where did you get your first inspiration?
I was always fascinated with the sculpture of cars. What makes a station wagon different from a Lincoln or a VW Bug? That inspired me to create my own, but with rockets, bazookas, and laser beams! I never attended car shows as a kid, but my parents bought me Hot Wheels - opens in new window or tab., Matchbox cars - opens in new window or tab., and art supplies - opens in new window or tab..
When did it turn into a career?I was working at a bookstore and found Syd Mead’s Sentinel - opens in new window or tab., and I snatched a class taught by car designer Bernie Dietz and found out about the Art Center College of Design - opens in new window or tab.. I got fired from the bookstore, but I enrolled at Art Center the following year.
What led you to produce the first coloring book?
Our first book was Mustangs. I was looking for a product that would be fun to do, easy to produce, and have a low price point. It wasn’t easy, but in 2010, I settled on coloring books. I started making them once a month. We now have over 60 books available in 12 countries.
How do you turn original art into crisp line art for coloring books?
All the black lines are hand-drawn—no Photoshop. A steady hand is your best asset, but a little chocolate helps add line-weight variation! It’s one thing that we do that no other coloring books do. The line-weight variation is the personality of a sketch. Most others are digital art now and are missing human error. That’s where real art begins.
Can you share a tip or two for kids that want to draw cars?
Draw every day. Get your parents to take you to an art store and then buy three sketchbooks in three different sizes. Whatever you love to draw, spend time observing that thing. If you love to draw trees, go and sit with them. If it’s cars, go to car shows, pick one, sit and draw. Then draw them until your fingers fall off.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.