As always painting figures is a great way to improve your painting skills.
Oil on board 12" x 9"
A detail shot showing the first couple of hours work
Sky & Clouds
8 months ago
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Current WIP
This is a couple of Ordnance deck crew from VFA-151, based on a US Navy Photo.
As always painting figures is a great way to improve your painting skills.
The basic image underpainted in raw umber on a burnt sienna base (tinted gesso)
Oil on board 12" x 9"
A detail shot showing the first couple of hours work
As always painting figures is a great way to improve your painting skills.
Oil on board 12" x 9"
A detail shot showing the first couple of hours work
Pensacola Texan - T-6B Texan II
This is a quick colour study, worked from a photo I took last year at Pensacola. 6 hours work spread over about a 6 week period.
Five photos showing progress
Five photos showing progress
Orion's Game complete
The painting is now complete, although this photo does not show the last few details that have now been added.
Oil on canvas, 36" x 18".
Commissioned by the VP-45 Association
Oil on canvas, 36" x 18".
Commissioned by the VP-45 Association
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Orion's Game
My current project is of a P-3C Orion catching a Soviet Juilet class submarine on the surface.
Oil on canvas 36" x 18"
Here's a sequence of images showing the process to date.
A larger view of the current state of play
The gull grey is all blocked in, gloss white up next.
The light gull grey is corrected, but still only blocked in at this stage.
Paint starts to go down, as the main colours are blocked in over a burnt sienna acrylic wash that sealed in the line drawing.
The original thumbnail sketch that was tweaked for the final image.
Oil on canvas 36" x 18"
Here's a sequence of images showing the process to date.
The light gull grey is corrected, but still only blocked in at this stage.
The original thumbnail sketch that was tweaked for the final image.
Monday, 16 May 2011
By the Dawn's Early Light wins the The Captain Duane Whitney Martin, USAF Award at the 2011 ASAA International Aerospace Art Exhibition
I'm delighted and extremely proud to to announce that "By the Dawn's Early Light" won the Captain Duane Whitney Martin, USAF Award at the 2011 American Society of Aviation Artists International Aerospace Exhibition. The exhibition is currently hanging at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fl through until 31/08/2011.
This award is awarded "for artistic excellence in depicting the conflict in South East Asia, 1964-1974". World renowned artist Jack Fellows selects the winner, and I was lucky enough for Jack to be present and for him to award it in person.
CAPT DUANE WHITNEY MARTIN, USAF AWARD
The Kaman HH-43 Huskie helicopter was originally designed to provide rescue support and fire suppression for aircraft accidents on or near any given airbase. In the opening days of America’s war in Southeast Asia, however, its job description was forced to expand to include combat rescue operations for downed flight crews. On 20 September 1965, Capt. Thomas J. Curtis, aircraft commander, 1Lt. Duane W. Martin, co-pilot, crew chief SSgt. William A. Robinson, and pararescueman A1C Arthur N. Black comprised the crew of a HH-43B helicopter, call sign "Duchy 41," which was on a rescue mission for the pilot of an F-105D. Willis E. Forby of the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron had taken a severe beating; he ejected ten miles east of the Laotian border, forty miles south of Vinh, North Vietnam.
The little Huskie departed Nakhon Phanom Airbase, Thailand – otherwise known as ‘NKP’ or ‘Naked Fanny’ - and headed northeast, where Air Force search & rescue Skyraider support aircraft were doing their best to keep Forby alive. Within five minutes of arriving on station, one of the Sandy pilots observed the Huskie take ground fire and crash on a ridge that bordered a small canyon which was enclosed on all sides by steep slopes and jungle canopy. As a second SAR helicopter hovered over the downed HH-43, it took several hits from enemy ground fire, forcing him to move away from the wreckage. Because of the intense enemy presence in the area – later determined to be a combination of North Vietnamese regular army troops and Communist Pathet Lao forces - no ground search was possible for the crews of the F-105D and HH-43B. All five men were listed Missing in Action.
Of the helicopter crew, Curtis, Robinson & Black were captured by NVA regulars – as was Forby, the Thud driver - and moved to a POW camp in North Vietnam. Duane Martin was captured by Pathet Lao forces and immediately moved to a POW camp deep in Laos. This camp already housed the surviving crewmen of an Air America C-46 - American Eugene DeBruin, three Thai and one Chinese – which had been shot down in 1963.
Throughout the fall of 1965 and into spring and summer of 1966, the group of Americans suffered regular beatings, torture, harassment, hunger and illness in the hands of their captors. They witnessed their captors behead one unnamed American Navy pilot and execute six wounded Marines.
By February 1966 Navy pilot LT Dieter Dengler joined the POWs. In late June the seven POWs prepared for an escape. At that time they were housed in two cells constructed of logs in a bamboo fenced compound measuring 20 by 20 meters. Three towers overlooked the compound. The camp's 16 guards had their quarters and mess hall near the front gate. Each morning the prisoners would be taken to a nearby stream and allowed to bathe and fetch water. They were permitted to walk within the compound until receiving their morning ration of rice. After eating, they were placed in stocks and handcuffs which they soon learned to remove. The guards then would eat together leaving their weapons in the watchtowers.
On the morning of 29 June 1966, while the 16 guards ate their meal in the mess hall, Dengler, Duane Martin & one of the Thai crewmen removed a previously loosened log, left their cell, climbed through an opening in the bamboo fence and secured the rifles from the empty guard towers. The three armed POWs confronted the guards. When they were ordered to remain still one of the guards panicked and began to flee. The three POWs killed the guards and all seven POWs fled the compound. Following prepared plans, they split into three groups: Dengler & Martin, DeBruin & the Chinese crewman, who was very ill, and the three Thais. They planned that if one group was rescued, it would direct a search party toward the other two groups of escapees.
Dengler and Martin and the others made their way through the dense jungle surviving on fruits, berries, and some rice they had managed to save during their captivity. DeBruin, unwilling to abandon his sick Chinese companion, was captured the next morning and never seen again. The three Thai crewmen managed to reach safety, and freedom.
Dieter and Duane floated down river on a raft they had constructed, eventually coming to an abandoned village where the men found some corn. After a night's rest, they made their way downstream to another village. It had been five days since their escape; Dengler was weak from dysentery, while Martin was delirious with malaria. As Dengler watched from the relative safety of some brush, Martin decided to get something for them to eat. Seen by a young girl, Duane entered the village to ask for food when another villager charged with a machete. As Lieutenant Martin fell to his knees, pleading with hands clasped, the man’s first swing cut off Martin's leg. Dengler, too weak to help his friend, could only watch in horror as the villager’s second swing decapitated him. The Naval Aviator was forced to continue alone. 23 days after their escape, on 20 July 1966, Dengler was rescued by helicopter.
To date the Laotians have made no attempt to return the remains of Duane Martin. He left behind a young widow and two small daughters. Martin is one of nearly 600 Americans who remain missing or otherwise unaccounted for in Laos. ASAA artist Jack Fellows thought enough of his cousin’s late husband to establish the CAPT Duane Whitney Martin, USAF Award, honoring the best art commemorating aviation during the war in Southeast Asia.
This award is awarded "for artistic excellence in depicting the conflict in South East Asia, 1964-1974". World renowned artist Jack Fellows selects the winner, and I was lucky enough for Jack to be present and for him to award it in person.
CAPT DUANE WHITNEY MARTIN, USAF AWARD
The Kaman HH-43 Huskie helicopter was originally designed to provide rescue support and fire suppression for aircraft accidents on or near any given airbase. In the opening days of America’s war in Southeast Asia, however, its job description was forced to expand to include combat rescue operations for downed flight crews. On 20 September 1965, Capt. Thomas J. Curtis, aircraft commander, 1Lt. Duane W. Martin, co-pilot, crew chief SSgt. William A. Robinson, and pararescueman A1C Arthur N. Black comprised the crew of a HH-43B helicopter, call sign "Duchy 41," which was on a rescue mission for the pilot of an F-105D. Willis E. Forby of the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron had taken a severe beating; he ejected ten miles east of the Laotian border, forty miles south of Vinh, North Vietnam.
The little Huskie departed Nakhon Phanom Airbase, Thailand – otherwise known as ‘NKP’ or ‘Naked Fanny’ - and headed northeast, where Air Force search & rescue Skyraider support aircraft were doing their best to keep Forby alive. Within five minutes of arriving on station, one of the Sandy pilots observed the Huskie take ground fire and crash on a ridge that bordered a small canyon which was enclosed on all sides by steep slopes and jungle canopy. As a second SAR helicopter hovered over the downed HH-43, it took several hits from enemy ground fire, forcing him to move away from the wreckage. Because of the intense enemy presence in the area – later determined to be a combination of North Vietnamese regular army troops and Communist Pathet Lao forces - no ground search was possible for the crews of the F-105D and HH-43B. All five men were listed Missing in Action.
Of the helicopter crew, Curtis, Robinson & Black were captured by NVA regulars – as was Forby, the Thud driver - and moved to a POW camp in North Vietnam. Duane Martin was captured by Pathet Lao forces and immediately moved to a POW camp deep in Laos. This camp already housed the surviving crewmen of an Air America C-46 - American Eugene DeBruin, three Thai and one Chinese – which had been shot down in 1963.
Throughout the fall of 1965 and into spring and summer of 1966, the group of Americans suffered regular beatings, torture, harassment, hunger and illness in the hands of their captors. They witnessed their captors behead one unnamed American Navy pilot and execute six wounded Marines.
By February 1966 Navy pilot LT Dieter Dengler joined the POWs. In late June the seven POWs prepared for an escape. At that time they were housed in two cells constructed of logs in a bamboo fenced compound measuring 20 by 20 meters. Three towers overlooked the compound. The camp's 16 guards had their quarters and mess hall near the front gate. Each morning the prisoners would be taken to a nearby stream and allowed to bathe and fetch water. They were permitted to walk within the compound until receiving their morning ration of rice. After eating, they were placed in stocks and handcuffs which they soon learned to remove. The guards then would eat together leaving their weapons in the watchtowers.
On the morning of 29 June 1966, while the 16 guards ate their meal in the mess hall, Dengler, Duane Martin & one of the Thai crewmen removed a previously loosened log, left their cell, climbed through an opening in the bamboo fence and secured the rifles from the empty guard towers. The three armed POWs confronted the guards. When they were ordered to remain still one of the guards panicked and began to flee. The three POWs killed the guards and all seven POWs fled the compound. Following prepared plans, they split into three groups: Dengler & Martin, DeBruin & the Chinese crewman, who was very ill, and the three Thais. They planned that if one group was rescued, it would direct a search party toward the other two groups of escapees.
Dengler and Martin and the others made their way through the dense jungle surviving on fruits, berries, and some rice they had managed to save during their captivity. DeBruin, unwilling to abandon his sick Chinese companion, was captured the next morning and never seen again. The three Thai crewmen managed to reach safety, and freedom.
Dieter and Duane floated down river on a raft they had constructed, eventually coming to an abandoned village where the men found some corn. After a night's rest, they made their way downstream to another village. It had been five days since their escape; Dengler was weak from dysentery, while Martin was delirious with malaria. As Dengler watched from the relative safety of some brush, Martin decided to get something for them to eat. Seen by a young girl, Duane entered the village to ask for food when another villager charged with a machete. As Lieutenant Martin fell to his knees, pleading with hands clasped, the man’s first swing cut off Martin's leg. Dengler, too weak to help his friend, could only watch in horror as the villager’s second swing decapitated him. The Naval Aviator was forced to continue alone. 23 days after their escape, on 20 July 1966, Dengler was rescued by helicopter.
To date the Laotians have made no attempt to return the remains of Duane Martin. He left behind a young widow and two small daughters. Martin is one of nearly 600 Americans who remain missing or otherwise unaccounted for in Laos. ASAA artist Jack Fellows thought enough of his cousin’s late husband to establish the CAPT Duane Whitney Martin, USAF Award, honoring the best art commemorating aviation during the war in Southeast Asia.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
By the Dawn's Early Light prints now available
Time for an update, and I'm really pleased to announce that I am now offering a limited edition of giclee prints, spread over three editions. One on paper, the other two on canvas.
Please have a look on my website if interested. or wish to purchase.
By the Dawn's Early Light Prints
In addition I can also announce that this painting and the OK2 colour study have both been accepted into this years ASAA juried exhibition and so both will be on display at the National Museum Naval Aviation, Pensacola, 1st May 2011 - 31/08/2011
Please have a look on my website if interested. or wish to purchase.
By the Dawn's Early Light Prints
In addition I can also announce that this painting and the OK2 colour study have both been accepted into this years ASAA juried exhibition and so both will be on display at the National Museum Naval Aviation, Pensacola, 1st May 2011 - 31/08/2011
Friday, 31 December 2010
By the Dawn's Early Light
Well it seems fitting that on the last day of 2010 I post images of the completed painting. I signed it yesterday, and so as far as I'm concerned it is finished.
By the Dawn’s Early Light
Oil on canvas 36” x24”
Three Phantom F-4B’s from VF-151 on an early morning mission over North Vietnam. NF 213 is piloted by John Chesire, with RIO George Healey in the rear.
NF 210 has Ted Triebel in the front seat and Dave Everett in the rear. Dave and Ted were shot down on August 27, 1972, on a photo escort mission over North Vietnam while flying 210, and spent the rest of the war as POW’s in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
Dave recalls, ”Aside from the very occasional MiGCAP, the best hops a j.o. could draw were the armed recces in route pack 5/6 at first light -- targets of opportunity as mostly we defined them, hoping to catch those night trucks trying to squeeze in a few extra kilometers before parking under the trees for the day. (Don't think that scenario didn't occur to Ted and I when we were being trucked to Hanoi). RIP NF210 in a zillion pieces on a karst ridge in Thanh Hoa Province. Lost on one of those low altitude, go fast, flak magnet, Baby Giant photo escort missions, that we all came to enjoy, on 27 Aug over Phu Ly Bridge when all hell broke loose and luck petered out.
A Happy New Year to all, and let's see what 2011 brings - I see more F-4's, but also F-18s ;-)
By the Dawn’s Early Light
Oil on canvas 36” x24”
Three Phantom F-4B’s from VF-151 on an early morning mission over North Vietnam. NF 213 is piloted by John Chesire, with RIO George Healey in the rear.
NF 210 has Ted Triebel in the front seat and Dave Everett in the rear. Dave and Ted were shot down on August 27, 1972, on a photo escort mission over North Vietnam while flying 210, and spent the rest of the war as POW’s in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
Dave recalls, ”Aside from the very occasional MiGCAP, the best hops a j.o. could draw were the armed recces in route pack 5/6 at first light -- targets of opportunity as mostly we defined them, hoping to catch those night trucks trying to squeeze in a few extra kilometers before parking under the trees for the day. (Don't think that scenario didn't occur to Ted and I when we were being trucked to Hanoi). RIP NF210 in a zillion pieces on a karst ridge in Thanh Hoa Province. Lost on one of those low altitude, go fast, flak magnet, Baby Giant photo escort missions, that we all came to enjoy, on 27 Aug over Phu Ly Bridge when all hell broke loose and luck petered out.
A Happy New Year to all, and let's see what 2011 brings - I see more F-4's, but also F-18s ;-)
Friday, 24 December 2010
Friday, 19 November 2010
Pirates of the Mediterranean - a Buccaneer special
I love this video and the sound track - way cool.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
By the Dawn's Early Light - close to completion
Over thirty items on the "to do " list, including markings and a whole raft of details, but otherwise close to completion
36" x 24" Oil on canvas
36" x 24" Oil on canvas
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