Another new study - Fokker DVII

[greatwarpilot]

Once again... nicely done Russ!

[Russell Smith]

Another update on this project. I've gotten the hangar and two of the background fuselages completed and dropped in.

The hangar is typical of the type built at Leaside Airfield in North Eastern Toronto immediately following WW1.

On the left in the background is Albatros built Fokker DVII 5324/18, which was flown by Ltn. d. r. Richard kraut of Jasta 63. It was shipped to Canada after the war.

Just inside the hangar door is the famous Sopwith Snipe flown by Maj. William Barker in his epic dogfight of Oct. 27, 1918. The wings and gear were removed from this machine and the fuselage was shipped back to Canada. It now resides in the Canadian war Museum in Ottawa.

1 more fuselage to go. After that, figures.

Russ

[greatwarpilot]

Just last night I picked up one of these value studies from the framer. I think the results are pretty sharp, so I thought I'd post a photo to illustrate how good Russ' work looks hanging on a wall! The photo doesn't have anything to give it a sense of scale, but this is a BIG pencil drawing. The outside dimensions of the frame are 28"x19". It looks superb hanging in my home. If anyone wants an original piece of work by Russell Smith, these value studies are well worth the investment when they come up for sale.



As a bit of background for those of you who haven't caught on yet, the scene at Leaside is based largely on the research for the MA thesis I'm in the process of writing. It deals with the German war trophy aircraft allocated to Canada in 1919 and the role they have played since the Great War.

At the same time that I had the value study framed, I also had a print of Russell's excellent "Wrong Place, Wrong Time" framed.



The piece Russ is currently working on and WTWP are going to make pretty good companion pieces because together they help tell the story of Barker's Snipe, E8102 - and why it still exists in the Canadian War Museum today.

On top of that, the fact that Barker flew these captured D.VIIs in Canada less than a year after he experienced the fight of his life against the same aircraft type adds another neat connection to the two works.

Keep up the great work Russ!

Cheers,

[Rolex5513]

They both look great all framed up and on your wall.
I agree his original pencil drawings are awesome......and a really great value for a large and precise piece of original art.
Gotta keep your eyes open as they come up and are gone quickly but boy you will be happy with your investment, god knows I am with mine.

congrats buddy they look super

pat

[JonathanS]

Russ',

Have been wanting to chime in since you posted the updated study, and even more so now that Edward has unveiled the framed '50'. Imho this is coming along magnificently and is shaping up to be something special. Can't wait to see the final.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[josquin]

Russell,

Great work! It does something that Art, as opposed to mere
photographic representation, accomplishes with an uncanny
authority: draw out the distinctiveness, the unique characteristics
that escape the untrained eye. It allows me to see the DVII in
ways I simply had not until now.
regards, josquin

[Rolex5513]

The final large one will be awesome indeed.

[bobs_buckles]

greatwarpilot:
Thanks for displaying "Wrong Place Wrong Time" I have this print in my stash ready for framing. I love the use of the coloured border, it compliments the print and draws you into the subject.
I've got one of Russ's originals and a fair few of his prints, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Cheers,
Bob

[Russell Smith]

Just finished the first 3 figures for this piece. Still have several more to go, as well as the cast shadows for the front 2 guys and maybe a dog or 2.

They say that there's part of the artist in every work he creates. In my figurative works I usually leave my face on one of the figures. This time, its the guy at the prop.

Russ

[Jos]

Russ,

Marvellous!!!! Interesting to see this painting "grow"!!


Jos