Pete Wenman Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) Guys hi This is likely to be a major thread as this painting (hopefully) winds it way to completion. Plenty of prep has gone into the concept already, which started as a small thumbnail sketch. This I refined using APM software to start to formalise the position and perspective of the aircraft. Given the runways at Boxted are 150 feet wide I worked on the basis that each pair of aircraft would use the full wideth of the runway as they took off, and so spread the two planes out more than in the concept sketch More to follow Pete Edited October 13, 2008 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) With all my paintings I like to speak with somebody who has flown the aircraft being depicted to ensure that things are as accurate as possible. For the P-47 piece I am lucky enough to be in contact with Russ Kyler. Russ flew with the 56th Fighter Group, from August 1944 through to the end of the war, with 10 aircraft kills to his credit. (Russ's P-47M is featured in the decal options for the excellent Tamiya 1/48th model kit). In response to my questions Russ come back with the following information. For a mission, each squadron lined up on the runway, four across & either three deep or four deep, depending on whether we were launching a 12 ship or 16 ship squadron. Flight leader & his wingman took off on the left side of the runway & #3 & #4 used the right side of the runway. #1 & #2 would get airborne ASAP while #3 & #4 would stay on the runway until they were well past the point of "lift-off" of #1 & #2, thus avoiding any prop-wash. This type of take-off was continued until all squadron a/c were airborne. We would hold our position until the flight taking off were passing behind the nose of our a/c & then we would start our roll. We could get 12 or 16 a/c airborne in about two minutes. The second squadron lined up on a different runway & as soon as the last element cleared the intersection, they would begin their take-off. The third squadron was lining up on the first runway & as soon as #2 squadron cleared the intersection, they would begin their take-offs. The total time for all three squadrons to get airborne was usually 6 to 8 minutes. I've seen as many as eight a/c rolling on the runway at the same time. Pairs were rolling at (approx) 8 to 10 second intervals and I'd guess at about 200 feet apart on the runway. With 108 gal tanks the lead a/c would use max power & get airborne ASAP using the same technique as above. On take-off (04/22) 2800 RPM & 72 in Hg about 2/3 rds of the runway & 2nd elements used about 3/4 ths of the total runway. (the Easterly runway was a different story as we needed every foot of runway we could get). The normal position for the wingman on take-off, was to keep his wing tip even with the star on the fuselage of the lead a/c and just far enough out to clear the wingtips if an over-run occurred as per an aborted take-off. Normally, the flight leader took the left side of the runway with #2 on his right wing; #3 (Element leader) took the right side of the runway just about opposite of #2 & #4 positioned himself on the left wing of #3. Clearance was never over a couple of feet & I've had my wing man "overlap" as much as two feet of wing & hold it for the take-off & forming up with the rest of the squadron. (That's a tight formation) This information was great news from my perspective as it allowed a return to the original concept, with the aircraft a lot closer together, which increases the drama, and to my mind improves the composition. It did mean things needed to be reworked a little however. I use a perspective software developed by Joe Demarco, a talented aviation artist in his own right, and a really nice guy. Joe's Artists' Perspective Modeler (APM) can be used to create a basic line drawing based on plotting X, Y, and Z co-ordinates for as many reference points as required to create the object. Once the co-ordinates are all plotted the data can be manipulated so the object can be viewed from any distance, and at any attitude but with the perspective remaining correct regardless of the view distance and attitude. Once the desired view is decided upon, the program will provide the necessary X and Y co-ordinates so the object can be plotted and drawn (at any scale required). Here is the line drawing from the review function within APM, which while it is identifiable as a P-47 is also a long way from the finished drawing required. This is the partially completed pencil drawing based on the plot data. As you can see this is a much more refined outline, and will be the basis for the final highly detailed line drawing. The lines of the aircraft are already evident here, with the foreshortening of the fuselage very easily dealt with by the software. APM allows an accurate outline of an aircraft to be created from a set of 3 view plans in perfect perspective, which is a much better alternative than just copying a photograph. It also means that truly unique compositions can be created. The next stage is to complete this drawing and the use it as the basis for either a value study in pencil, or a colour study in oil. This aircraft is the more distant of the two and so the secondary point of interest, and as such must allow for the main aircraft to hold the strongest values and colours. P Edited October 13, 2008 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moeggo Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Looking forward the end result on this one Pete! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark M. Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) One issue (the only one) that I can see is the height from the ground. Generally speaking these aircraft didn't pull the gear up until they were sure they were up and away. It looks like it's awfully low for the left-side craft, and it looks like the right craft's gear were still touching ground (if you rotate them down again). I'd give them a bit more vertical separation from their shadows. I'm not an expert, but that's what my perception tells me. Edited October 14, 2008 by Mark M. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) Next update Mark you are right about the aircraft height, but I'm ahead of you here. Remember what you've so far are the preliminary studies, and the point of them is to iron out these sort of issues. The revised composition, with line drawings well underway. A closer look at the nearly completed line drawing of the main aircraft subject. and a reference photo which helped set the height of the aircraft. In order to start getting to grips with the composition and to accurately portrait the Boxted airfield I drew up a 1/2400 scale plan of the airfield, and established my view point. and a rough drawing showing a possible layout, aircraft height here is 20 ft above the runway. P Edited October 14, 2008 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark M. Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) I remain impressed with your art skills! Edited October 14, 2008 by Mark M. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Wow! This is very interesting to watch! Didn't think there was so much research involved. I'd have thought an idea and a canvas and you're good to go! :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottD Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Damn thats nice! I can't wait to see the finished product! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jrallman Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Looking great, and I love the whole concept of the piece, the planes on takeoff. Not a view that is represented much in art. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moeggo Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Looking great Pete! I would love to have one of your masterpieces hanging on my wall Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Touvdal Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Very impressiv cheers Jes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) cheers guys This study is on tracing paper, which allowed me to overlay it over the already completed line drawing. This is the first time I have used this method, and it is obvious why it is recommended. However the quality of the tracing paper I had to hand is far lower than it needs to be. However as quick exercise it served it's purpose. Rather than rush the main compostion and regret it later I decided that a colour study of the main subject aircraft was a sensible thing to do at this stage. The study would allow me to slap some paint around, but it will also serve me well when painting the same aircraft on the main canvas. It took 10 minutes or so the transfer the drawing to a sheet of unmounted canvas (10"x12"), which I then covered with a thin wash of acrylic burnt sienna. This serves the dual purpose of sealing in the pencil drawing, and also taking away the brightness of the white canvas. This pretty much brings things up to date. At the moment I'm refining the line drawing of the background, including the various airfield buildings and runways. The final canvas for this one is going to be 40" across, so a bit of a monster. Edited October 16, 2008 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack-Swiss Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 This is just amazing!!!! Pete, your skilss are well known among everybody (I refer especially to the "mustang" scene and such) but everytime is a great and fantastic discovery of your ever rising potential!!! Can't really wait to see more!!! Cheers mate :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share Posted October 19, 2008 (edited) Some real time progress A pencil sketch of the tech area and T2 hangar that sits in the background. These are the dominant objects on the skyline and so it's important to get them right. The sketch is some 13 inches across at 1:1 scale, and is a third of the full canvas width. The parked P-47 needs some more work (looks more like a Wildcat at present ), but othwise this is loose in detail given it is a background only and some 4000 feet from the viewpoint Jack I think you are confusing me with Wade Myers, but I'll take that as a compliment. P Edited October 19, 2008 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liberator24 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 AS always, I am lookign forward to another impressive piece of art from the man!! You do it right, you know that Pete! -Jim Official Disney Tour Guide of the Aviation Art of Pete Wenman campaign Quote Link to post Share on other sites
icekj Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Just love this thread. I have never been the artistic type being able to freehand draw more then just stick figures. I am really enjoying seeing the process broken down into all the stages it takes. Looking forward to the next update. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Awesome, fantastice attention to detail! Aaron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moeggo Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Once again Pete WoW!!!! PS. I will reply to your PM very shortly!! It's been quite busy down my end! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boscosticks Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 outstanding drafts of your p-47s Pete!!! thats so amazing!! i wish i could do that :lol: i'm really anxious now to see this project of yours unwrap itself and progress!! keep up the incredible worksmanship Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack-Swiss Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Jack I think you are confusing me with Wade Myers, but I'll take that as a compliment.P ehm ehm maaan....you cannot imagine how sooooorry I am! I totally confused and didnt remembered the name! I thought and was sure that that was yours but anyway and trust me...anyway, you are awesome too!!! I love this "47" drawing and it's comin out beautiful indeed... compliments are still super valid!!!!! Cheers and sorry again for the name confusion :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted October 25, 2008 Author Share Posted October 25, 2008 Hey Jack - no worries Just to play with some paint and to try and find a good grass colour I added this to the earlier colour study. I was planning to do this piece on hardboard, to get a smooth firm surface on which to work, but I now think I'll go with fine grain canvas taped to board for the painting stage. Once finished the canvas can then be stretched and mounted in the normal way. I like the effect that canvas grain adds to any painting. The canvas is on order and should hopefully turn up soon, as most of the component parts are done, they just all need to be brought together. P Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jrallman Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 looks awesome. i dont know anything about canvas painting, but if you paint first then stretch it over a frame, doesn't the painting get distorted? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Hey Jay i dont know anything about canvas painting, but if you paint first then stretch it over a frame, doesn't the painting get distorted? It's the first time I've used this method, so fingers crossed. Its a popular method for aviation, marine and wildlife artists (plus others) where a firm surface is needed to allow the transfer of a detailed drawing onto the canvas. The canvas does not need to be stretched too much when being framed, and does not really have that much give in it anyway. That's the hope ! :) P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Wenman Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) Gents hi Progress at last. Lots of behind the scenes work has finally paid off. I've a 42"x 14" fine grain canvas mounted (temporarily) on a sheet of mdf. I've given this a burnt sienna wash in acrylic, and started to transfer the full size drawing elements. Here's the T2 Hangar and tech area, which I've underpainted with a mixture of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue (again in acrylic). This element measures approx 19" across, and is the left side of the canvas as viewed. Sorry about the dodgy photo, but a hand held snap under artificial light. P Edited November 15, 2008 by Pete Wenman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
icekj Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Sorry about the dodgy photo, but a hand held snap under artificial light. Still better then anything I could ever hope to do. People with your artisitic ability just make my jaw drop. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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