[Russell Smith]

Originally Posted by MilesC

This is why I don't attempt aircraft paintings, my hide is too thin. However, as Russel has rhinohide I'd like to point out that the horizontal stabilizer on the DH2 was parallel to the top booms so that when it was on the ground it had the same down angle as the booms did.

Hmmm. Sorry Miles - gonna have to shoot you down on that one. They are actually correct. I could show you how I do the perspective drawings and prove it, but that would take a long time and lots of Megabytes. You'll have to take my word for it. I think two things are fooling your eye here:

1. although the Horz. Stb. and the booms have the same downward slope, keep in mind that the booms also taper front to back, which would give the illusion from this point of view that they have a steeper angle.
2. becasue the engine is running, the pilot would need to give the stick some backward pressure to angle the elevators up and keep the tail from rising. On this small scale the upward angled elevators may be giving you the illusion that the horz. stab. is at the wrong angle.


Now, as for you AAC

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

right. okay then, let's see...

*excellent overall palette

Thanks

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

*painting descriptive of a good story, although i'd like to see one or two of the guys sticking their fingers in their ears as that rotary engine must've been very loud!

Nah. Those rotaries weren't that loud. Besides, I picture kindergardeners doing that, not adults.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

love the strong value contrasts - you are really good at that! and love the lighting!

good to hear. thats is, after all, one of the main purposes of the color study

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

* the teepees bother me. too evenly spaced and too well lit and too duplicated of each other.

Honestly, while I was at the drawing stage, I was worried that those bell tents might be an issue, but I questioned some artists (Mike O'Neal being one) what they thought of them and they all said that the bell tents didn't bother them. They really don't bother me in the study either. historically speaking, those tents were actually in that spot. Thus, since they are historically correct and they don't seem to be an issue for most folks (including me), I'm gonna go with the majority opinion on the tents.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

* little man in back by the port wheel looks like his legs are running, but his torso is walking.

that figure is actually based on a photo of me (well, actually they all are!). anyway, I've got long legs and a long stride. That may also be one of those "smaller scale" things. However, I will take a look at him. Gotta move him away from the wheel anyway.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

* i question as to whether all would have been wearing olive drab clothing. oh, i see one in the background has a blue uniform on, but a little more variety of clothing on some of the others i think could improve it.

actually, it is sort of an olive drab/khaki - and yes, it pretty much would have been all around, with the exception of some mechanics overalls (depending on what style he was wearing). the drab/khaki has gotta stay.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

* the curved arm needs to be more angular at his elbow. as it is now, it reminds me of a Margaret Rey drawing. also, his fingers touching the background roofline bothers me spacially as it creates a tension point.

Yup, that arm stinks. gonna address that.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

* roofline sticking up behind the tail is unnecessary and adds confusing element.

i could probably tone that building back a little, but that building was, in fact, in that spot. If I take it out you can bet that somebody will rip me a new one.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

*the two figures standing behind at right side should be a bit shorter and tops of heads not compete with roofline - again tension point.

good point. I may have to address that.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

*foreground man holding strut should be leaning back a bit more (head further back, arm longer). as he is now, it is confusing as to whether he is pulling or pushing on the strut.

guess that was what Barker was pointing out. I just don't see it. you can't lean back AND push forward at the same time.

*addendum* i've been looking at him a little more. I think I know what you guys mean. if i rotate him slightly so his feet are directly under his hand a little more I think that might help show that he is leaning back.

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

*starboard wheel should be planted a bit deeper into the grass.

i'll chalk that up as one of those smaller-scale-but-it'll-look-right-in-the-big-version things

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

of course as mike said, these are all just opinions and i had to really look a second time to see where i thought it could be improved. it is already a great painting ! excuse me - color study.

Thanks all, for your input. let's cut the critique off here. This is, as Mike said, starting to sound like a painting by committee.

russ