Yet another WIP

Russell Smith · 15 July 2009, 12:24 PM

I've been at a temporary standstill for the past couple of weeks on the current commissions (Two Birds... waiting on customer approval and subsequent transfer to canvas, Bird of Paradise waiting for my opportunity to get figure shots in the right conditions). In the meantime, I've thrown another project into the mix.

This piece will feature Rickenbacker and old #1 at the aerodrome at Saints, circa August of 1918. This is one of those ideas where the cart proceeded the horse. I could picture the scene in my head - a dusty airfield, a profile of 1 main aircraft with others lined up behind, engines running, copious amounts of dust blowing around and late afternoon sun backlighting the entire scene and making the dust in the air really glow and giving the whole piece lots of atmosphere. Now I just had to decided what aircraft to put in it. Originally I had thought of using Nieuport 28s for the scene, but then I realized that it needed something a little beefier. A SPAD was much more suitable. I had been discussing Rickenbacker's SPAD S'4523 (#1) with someone recently, and since I am probably long overdue in depicting that particular machine, I decided to go with it.

Most depictions of S'4523 show it in it's late configuration - shortened exhaust stacks, red/white/blue (front to back) rudder, and patched bullet holes. The problem was, though, that S'4523 was only in this configuration late in the war, while Rickenbacker and the 94th were based at Rembercourt. Rembercourt was known for its mud, and so that killed the idea of the dust kicking up. Prior to Rembercourt, however, the 94th was based at Saints. No problem with the dust there, so that would be my location.

As for the configuration of S'4523 while at Saints - it carried the standard length exhaust, no bullet patches (at least not in August of 1918) and the original blue/white/red French rudder.

I was able to go ahead and work out the perspective drawings this past week. Behind Rickenbacker and S'4523 will be

Reed Chambers in #11 followed by Ham Coolidge in #22. (Special thanks to Alan Toelle and Greg van Wyngarden for helping me get started on this!)

If the perspective on #1 looks a little whanked, its because I set this one up to go on a 50" wide canvas. The overall finished size for this will be 50" x 23" - my largest canvas to date.

I'm going to try and get a few figure shots knocked out this afternoon, and then it will be time to put this one aside and get back to my other projects. I'll develop this one as time allows.

Stay tuned...

Terrencejones · 16 July 2009, 04:56 AM

Looking forward to seeing this one. I think you are one of the best (if not the best) at this type of work, "Spoils of war" and "Mark of Distinction" are absolutely awsome paintings, I have no doubt this one will be too.
The pencil sketch is fantastic!

Russell Smith · 23 July 2009, 12:14 PM

I was able to go ahead and get the value study worked out for this one. Working title (unless I think of something better): Ready to Roll

Bruno Stachel · 23 July 2009, 03:07 PM

Gentleman, Start Your Engines
After all, he was a race car driver.

Or more simply, At the Starting Line

Russell Smith · 23 July 2009, 03:17 PM

Hmmm. Not bad, Bruno. I'll give it some thought. Thanks for that!

Russell Smith · 23 July 2009, 03:38 PM

Bruno, after a little thought, I think I'm just going to go with Starting Line. Thanks again for that suggestion!

BTW, I have to mention that the study is available.

Bruno Stachel · 23 July 2009, 06:11 PM

Glad to help Russell.

tcrean7828 · 23 July 2009, 06:47 PM

Mate,
Great sketch, can't wait for the final.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

Tim West · 4 August 2009, 01:54 PM

hey that's bitch'in =D

I think I like you ground scenes a bit more than the ones in flight. This will be a neat one.

Russell Smith · 1 September 2009, 08:42 AM

I got a chance this past week to work on the color study for Starting Line. There are a couple of very minor adjustments that I see I need to make (for instance, the crew chief standing in the prop wash needs to look a little more wind blown), but other than that, I'm pretty darn happy with it. The study measures 7.5" x 16.5".

I've actually already transferred the image to the big canvas, and its sitting in the corner calling my name. Got a Bristol that I need to finish first, though.