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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 19, 2008 13:11:16 GMT 12
My Mum's nextdoor neighbour, Robert Wilkes, is an accomplished artist. He usually does landscape type work but he's an aviation fan and has decided to venture into the world of aviation art. His first work is the following Spitfire, which wears his initials. He has been following my forum for a while and has asked me to place a picture of the artwork on here to display and see what comments you might have. I think for a first attempt it's very good. Any comments?  |
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Post by phil82 on Mar 19, 2008 18:31:24 GMT 12
Well you did ask! I think the balance of the Spitfire is all wrong and disproportionate. The depth also doesn't seem quite right if you look at the tail and the cockpit...then there's the background....Sorry but it's not that good, although if a first attempt.....
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 20, 2008 8:46:10 GMT 12
It's better than the stick figure aeroplane I would have drawn.
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Post by alanw on Mar 20, 2008 19:48:03 GMT 12
Dave I would have agree with Phil on the shape........ However, if I were to draw/paint one, it probably would look similar and I have a few models of spitfire's, plus seen the real thing up close on occasion, so I say good job for a first try.....  The camo colors need to be darker (Green/grey) though Alan |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2008 13:47:34 GMT 12
Robert was aware that he got the shape a little off, and as most avaition artists have found, it's difficult to get it right first time trying to portray and aircraft in flight and keep it looking 'right'. I have seen many of his landscapes and paintings of buildings over the years and he is certainly a very talented artist, and locally reknowned for his work, but this is a first attempt at aviation art, so he was hoping for some suggestions and critical eyes, etc. So I'm sure he appreciates the input. Perhaps these may be of interest - really good threads where aviation artists show their techniques step by step forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=4675and perhaps even better warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20574&highlight=debden |
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Post by phil on Mar 25, 2008 18:31:56 GMT 12
It has often struck me that the aircraft component of most aviation art owes a lot to the technical drawing side of things.
The art is in the lighting of the subject and the setting (which is often in the form of quite spectacular landscapes in it's own right), but if the aircraft isn't really spot on technically I do feel it's let down quite a bit.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Mar 26, 2008 13:57:31 GMT 12
having worked with several aviation artists I can confirm that getting the shape and perspective of an aircraft in flight is very challenging.
I assisted Maurice Conly with his painting of the avenger over Rabaul. To get it right we had to research all of the combat reports (to get the aircraft in the right position above the target) then with the aid of many photos of RNZAF avengers from all angles and two large scale models as reference the painting was sketched out! After some re-arranging of shapes etc the final work was commenced.
Another artist I worked with was Ron Fulstow who takes many months researching each subject and often works with the assistance of plastic model aircraft painted in the scheme to be represented. The use of these allows accurate reproduction of the curves of markings camoflage etc on the finished product.
Tell him to keep plugging at it
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 29, 2008 18:05:08 GMT 12
Thanks Paul and Phil for your input. Maurice Conly remains one of my favourite artisits, and i love Ron Fulstow's work too. Is Ron still painting these days? Where is he based?
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