Calling all artists.....

ONEALM · 30 December 2005, 06:39 AM

OK guys, I see lots of people being motivated to create simply by perusing the gallery and some have posted their work here, like Ross Moorhouse. But I will venture to say that for every 1 we see, there are 5 others created that do not get posted.

Why? Someone said it - they are "intimidated" by the quality of art posted. I have to take that as a compliment and a challenge. I clearly remember being in the same boat the first time I dragged my work into public.

So, I will post one of my earlier - let's say, less refined - images in this thread as more encouragement for those just getting their feet wet.

In the interest of greasing the skids for those beginners lurking on the fringes, I invite you to post one of your own early works with comments about it's creation.

Come, on - show some guts !
Mike

Russell Smith · 30 December 2005, 07:14 AM

Mike, I'm game. I'll have to do a little searching, but I should be able to find something. This shoud be fun...

Russ

Taz · 30 December 2005, 11:57 AM

Mike- Great idea.

Taz
Terry Phillips

AAC Cadet Leader · 30 December 2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONEALM

So, I will post one of my earlier - let's say, less refined - images in this thread as more encouragement for those just getting their feet wet.

In the interest of greasing the skids for those beginners lurking on the fringes, I invite you to post one of your own early works with comments about it's creation.

Come, on - show some guts !
Mike

OOOO! I love the start of your thread, Mike! Can't wait to see what you and the other elder masters of the brush have to show those of us who are still struggling to "emerge" publicly.

In 2005, I completed over 100 plein air landscapes and still life oil paintings, and drew more than 50 pen and pencil portraits from life. I started four paintings specifically for submission for the Aerodrome Gallery, but for some reason, I stopped after roughing them all in with color. This thread might just be the nudge I need to get back to them.

Quote:

Why? Someone said it - they are "intimidated" by the quality of art posted. I have to take that as a compliment and a challenge. I clearly remember being in the same boat the first time I dragged my work into public.

Don't remember if I said it or someone else, but i know I've thought it. And you should take it as a compliment. The standard of skills reflected in the gallery works is high and that is a good thing to inspire the rest of us who want to produce our best before submitting our artworks. Thanks!

ONEALM · 31 December 2005, 05:47 AM

Here's the first painting I ever did - well second, but the first was a paint by number I did when I was 11 - just for chuckles I think I'll post it too ...

Some background before the chuckles start ....my wife saw Bob Ross on PBS and thought spending a few hours learning to paint would be enjoyable. She bought the basic paint kit, a couple of tubes of earth colors, brushes, "magic white" (I love that one....) and some paper canvases.

After about 3 attempts she was certain she should stick to music, so bailed out, leaving a lot of unused paint. Being the frugal type, I decided I would use up the paint trying to do what she gave up on.

I think it took 3 very poor landscapes to see this was not what I wanted to do. Since I knew aircraft, I thought I'd try that. All downhill from there....

This one was done in 1990. Both aircraft are traced. I have a full size Sopwith Camel flying in formation with a 1/8 scale Roland D.VIb, obviously being radion-controlled by the Camel pilot.

For the beginner painters, notice that the blues are blue, the browns are brown and you can ever distinguish some of the lazenge pattern on the Roland though he is really supposed to be a couple hundred yards away.

Since I thought this one was good, I kept going.....good thing I didn't know any better.

Sorry for the glare - it was tough to get a good shot of this one since I thought this masterpiece needed to be varnished !

No. 2 coming up in the next post.

ONEALM · 31 December 2005, 05:50 AM

Still flushed with the success that was the Sopwith Camel - I tried a more challenging subject.

This DH-2 was also traced (poorly) and painted on the same thin paper/canvas. When I think I'm doing a poor job on a current painting or get the impression I'm never going to improve - I pull one of these babies out and I'm back on track in a hurry.

This one, I think, is the worst painting I have ever done.

Notice the skillful handling of the landscaping - the elegant coloration of the sky. The meticulous approach to the mechnical aspects of the airplane - particularly anything that is supposed to be straight ! Notice the clever conservation of paint on the lower 1/10th of the painting - the subtle hint that it's a work in progress (or that I just forgot to paint that part).

Notice the carefully rendered building in the background, the un-convincing, yet completely uniform - tree line. Notice the skillfull division of space - the painting is cut in half by the horizon; the clever way I have hid the subject in the background by not controlling the values from fore- to back-ground.

All in all, a superb example of "What Not to Do".

Hey Russ ! Was this the DH-2 painting you wanted ?

ONEALM · 31 December 2005, 06:15 AM

..since it's a Paint by Number. I did this in 1972 after spending a month in the hospital with a seperated shoulder. Mom thought I needed something to keep me (and my one good arm) busy so I received a set of two Luke vs. the Hannover paint by number. I only got this far on the first one. The second was never touched.

I know Russ was looking for markings for this airplane....here ya go my friend !

otis goodin · 31 December 2005, 07:06 AM

Mike,

Thanks for sharing. As was said in the book, The Artist's Way, before you can be a good artist, you must first be willing to be a bad artist. But, truthfully, it doesn't strike me as that bad for an early attempt. I think you did a particularly nice job on the rudder. What we would like to know is, how did you progress from this stage to where you are now, one of the top aviation artists around?

joegertler · 31 December 2005, 08:35 AM

Your "worst" painting, Mike? The DH-2 looks like an unfinished Henri Farre to me..Gladly take it off your hands so you don't have to torment yourself

What are you working on, now? Thanks for posting all those beauties in the Gallery section. Sure enjoy them..

JonathanS · 31 December 2005, 10:06 AM

Wow!

How did I miss this thread! ... Mike, this is a great idea

Done in 1998 at the end of grade 10 (puts me about 15 or so), here is the first painting I ever did. So - first time with oils, first time stretching a canvas (not it is a wee bit skewed), and first time painting aeroplanes, clouds...well everyting.

As is blatantly obvious Mr. Dietz's Red Baron cover served as inspiration for the Camel and Dr1 in the foreground.