Dual Sopwith triplane WIP

Russell Smith · 30 June 2011, 08:12 AM

This is a WIP thread for what started out as a simple commission but is actually turning into two works.

First, the commission: The customer simply wanted a piece featuring a Sopwith Tripe. The rest was up to me. I suggested that we go with one of the famous Black Flight tripes of Naval 10 RNAS. My reason for choosing Naval 10 was that they were not only the most well-known unit to operate the tripe, but black metal cowlings are fun to work with.

I chose the obvious - Collishaw's N533 "Black Maria". To make it even more fun, I suggested to the client a ground scene set at Naval 10's base of Droglandt. I jotted down a small thumbnail to show the client what I had in mind and he gave the thumbs up. The scene will be viewed from a height of 11 feet and will actually feature 3 triplanes - Collishaw's, a second directly behind him, and one in the air in the distance. A few figures on the ground will help to guide your eye around and make it interesting.

Here is the original thumbnail sketch. The final piece will measure approximately 23" x 13.5".

So far, I've completed the perspective drawings for both Tripes and put them together in Photoshop.

As for the second WIP, that came about as a result of my misjudging the viewing angle on "Black Maria". I set my viewpoint a little too high on the first attempt and had to re-draw it to achieve the view that I used above.

Here is the result of the first attempt.

I didn't want that original work to go to waste, so I've decided to create a small Tripe study of one of Black Flight's other tripes. I think I'm going to feature N5376 "Black Sheep" doing a little engine runup.

Here is a quick little value study I created to work out the distribution of the lights & darks.

This little piece will measure 11" x 17"

Tim West · 30 June 2011, 08:40 AM

Hi,
Looking good, the Sopwith tripe is nice looking plane.

One of the figures in the larger image should be looking at the plane
coming in. Like you have in the single study. Maybe one is. I cant tell if the figure in the left of the image is looking at the viewer or the landing plane. It almost looks like he could go either way.

cool...go paint them now

Russell Smith · 30 June 2011, 09:04 AM

Thanks Tim. Yeah, I haven't really worked out the actions & poses of the figures yet. What you see there now is really just to experiment with placement.

Tim West · 30 June 2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell Smith

Thanks Tim. Yeah, I haven't really worked out the actions & poses of the figures yet. What you see there now is really just to experiment with placement.

It might be fun if you made the figure look like a concerned CO type... watching his men come back kind of thing. Maybe with a riding crop or something.

I enjoy the ground scenes you do.

Carry on

Russell Smith · 30 June 2011, 01:15 PM

I like that idea, Tim. Thanks!

Russell Smith · 11 August 2011, 10:46 AM

Well, between book remarques, RE8's and various other little projects its been several weeks since I've had a chance to work on the Tripehoud piece(s). I finally have had a chance to get back to this and have begun work in the figures. The idea here will be that Collishaw and a couple of other pilots are getting a quick briefing from their CO prior to their late afternoon patrol. Here is the first figure study, which depicts Collishaw and the CO.

JohnReid · 12 August 2011, 01:58 AM

Looks like the start of another great project !

Tim West · 13 August 2011, 10:48 PM

Those are cool. Your figures always have a nice weight to them. You should color'em in now

Russell Smith · 9 November 2011, 01:01 PM

The book remarques have kept me so busy the past few months that it seems like forever since I've had a chance to work on this piece. The past couple of weeks have seen a flurry of activity at my drawing table, though, and I've gotten a lot done on it. I've added figures, added more triplanes, developed the background some (and then deleted part of it).

There is still a lot to do - specifically more figures and background elements to add - but I'm really happy with the placement of the main elements.

Russell Smith · 21 November 2011, 02:45 PM

I'm just about finished with the comp work on this one. I've added more figures and added a more finished background. I created all of the elements separately and then created the composite image in Photoshop. This allows me the freedom of being able to adjust the positions of the elements.

I'll let this simmer for a couple of weeks and then come back to with with a fresh set of eyes. At that point I'll either make necessary adjustments or proceed on to the color study.