Pete Wenman Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Guys hi Current project is of a B25J from the 498th BS "the Falcons". First up a thumbnail sketch of the initial idea, this measures about 5"x2" then some larger value sketches to help determine the angle of view of the aircraft. The aircraft wingspan here measure around 10 inches for these 3 sketches My preference is for the last one, and I'm currently working on the formal aircraft drawing that will be transfered to the canvas. As you can see from the second sketch these aircraft had the yellow/green falcons head painted on the nose. This subject has been done by some of the very top names in aviation art, so it is a challenge to avoid doing something too similar. All comments and critique welcome as this one progresses. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phantomologist Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I like the third sketch from the top. This is a favorite bomb group of mine. If/when I ever get to retire I want to do some art of their aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 2, 2007 Author Share Posted July 2, 2007 Spent most of the day researching Japanese merchant shipping (surprisingly interesting). It's not clear here but the ship is to be backdropped by a large watersplash, smoke cloud, to give the necessary compositional shape. I'm not sure whether a third aircraft is needed top right ? Thoughts welcome Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BAM'n'IVM Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I think the answer to the "third aircraft" question is, did they fly in pairs or threes on attack runs? Excellent work so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 14, 2007 Author Share Posted July 14, 2007 Gents hi Managed to make some progress with the drawings transfered to the canvas, and a first attempt at the background slapped in. I'm not sure whether I like it or not, but I think I need to put some paint down on the main B25 to give some sense of contrast and take the eye away from the background. Thoughts welcome and apologies for an iffy photo, the clouds have a hint of orange that the camera has really picked up on. The entire background took about an hour Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 Pete, Have you dropped the idea of the B-25 in the upper left in favor of a Mitchell above the ship? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 15, 2007 Author Share Posted July 15, 2007 (edited) Don hi That's the plan. I've raised the main B-25 so as to increase its importance, which squeezed out the possibility of a 2nd plane on the left (as viewed). By going with the 2nd plane on the right (as viewed) I establish the compositional triangle I was after. Pete Edited July 15, 2007 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 15, 2007 Author Share Posted July 15, 2007 Just adding some values here to get a feel for the contrasts Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 15, 2007 Author Share Posted July 15, 2007 Made some good progress today, despite building a flat pack book shelf for my eldest daughter, and setting up a LAN wireless net work so my wife can access the internet on her new laptop. Techie I'm not but it saved me some £60 in doing it myself. Anyway enough chatter Looks a little flat at the moment so I'll need to increase the contrasts between light and shade, especially on the nose Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 looks GREAT so far! i agree, the second plane would look better on the right making a triangle pattern as opposed to the dreaded "three in a row" composition. makes me want to get back to drawing and painting.....i miss being in school and having studio space available to paint. oh well. keep it up and post more. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Share Posted July 18, 2007 I wasn't happy with the way this was shaping up, so given it is only a study, I decided to go a little wild with it. The two water spouts need to coloured a little as they are too white at the moment but I'm quite pleased with the result of two to three minutes slapping with a large brush Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pozsgay Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Looks great so far! It is very interesting and useful to see the progress too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 23, 2007 Author Share Posted July 23, 2007 Guys hi Latest photo just to show the slow progress being made. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 (edited) Nearly there now, Just need to deal with the cockpit and turret glazing on the main aircraft, the prop arcs/blades, and final highlights and also finish off the 2nd aircraft once the current paint is dry. Pete Edited July 29, 2007 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 That looks great! I can't wait to see the finished painting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted August 13, 2007 Author Share Posted August 13, 2007 Cheers for the comments I'm calling the glazing finished, so I just need to let it dry before adding the frames to both the cockpit and top turret, and the part I'm really looking forward to - namely the prop arcs. And then its pretty much done Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share Posted August 26, 2007 (edited) Calling this one done- I struggled with the light through the cockpit canopy and top turrent, and so have just stopped here - I could and probably would rework it for ever. Oil on canvas, 20"x8" A couple of detail shots These last 3 shots are larger than actual size (on my monitor anyway).As you can see up close the detail is pretty loose. Pete Edited August 26, 2007 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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