 |
|
Step 4 - Drawing the aircraft: part 2 |
|
|
Once my perspective drawings are complete, it is then time to start shading in the aircraft, adding values and details based on the lighting scenario that I have chosen. When creating representational artwork, good reference images are invaluable. I have an ever-growing collection of reference photos that I have taken and that clients and frends have sent me. I refer to photos of these aircraft when adding in details:
I have also been fortunate to have up-close access to some of the most accurate WW1 replicas in the world. Access to such aircraft not only allows me to see details that often cannot be seen in historical photos, but it also gives me insight into how light behaves across their various surfaces and textures. Always armed with my camera, I make sure to document every detail.
|
|||
For my specific lighting references, I use 1/48 scale models to re-create lighting scenarios. This allows me to not only see how light falls across a specific aircraft from a specific angle, but it also allows me to see how ambient and reflected light might behave on that aircraft from that angle.
|
|||
With my references spread around me, I am able to work out the details of my lighting scenario as it pertains to each aircraft in the image.
|
|||
| The final step to drawing the aircraft is the addition of the pilot. Although the aircraft are featured prominently in the painting, the true subject of the work is, in the end, Kurt Wolff. Once again, falling back on the idea of "telling the story", I decided that in order to stress the fact that this was the end for Wolff, he needed to be depicted as wounded and slumped at the controls. Once the drawing of the pilot is compleete, I scan it in to Photoshop and digitally add him into the triplane |  |
||
| Introduction - My Approach Step 1 - The Idea and the Research Step 2 - Deciding on the Composition Step 3 - Drawing the Aircraft - part 1 Step 4 - Drawing the Aircraft - part 2 Step 5 - Fine Tuning the Composition Step 6 - Adding Color Step 7 - Putting It On Canvas Step 8 - Bringing it to Life Step 9 - The Finishing Touches |
|||
All images at RussellSmithArt.com are covered by Russell Smith copyrights. Reproduction of images by any means, without written permission, is strictly prohibited