DH2 WIP - the color study

cfgray · 17 October 2006, 01:32 PM

Russ,
You must have been an apt and attentive student, your work is superb.
Best,
cfgray

MilesC · 17 October 2006, 02:54 PM

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. See these pics for a good view of them in flight and on the ground.

Photos from: http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/ac/dh2/index.shtml

My point is that I don't get the impression from Russel's painting that the horizontal stabs have the appropriate downsloping angle.

That's all, I'll go now.

Love the painting BTW Russ.

AAC Cadet Leader · 17 October 2006, 03:05 PM

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Now it is details that I am looking for - the odd line, angle or intersection; small shapes and elements shapes that don't quite feel right; little nitpicky things that may seem inoccuous but actually slightly detratct from the subject.

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

*excellent overall palette

*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!

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

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

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

* 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.

* 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.

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

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

*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.

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

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.

Artist · 17 October 2006, 05:49 PM

I love to have my paintings critiqued by Mr. Cohen ! If he charged for them I would be most happy to pay. One if his critiques is worth more than some of the art classes I have had. Robert

Russell Smith · 17 October 2006, 06:23 PM

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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

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