Pete Wenman Aviation Art

Orion's Game

2011-12-11T21:23:00.002Z

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.

By the Dawn's Early Light wins the The Captain Duane Whitney Martin, USAF Award at the 2011 ASAA International Aerospace Art Exhibition

2011-05-16T19:38:00.004+01:00

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.

By the Dawn's Early Light prints now available

2011-03-12T13:09:00.004Z

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

By the Dawn's Early Light

2010-12-31T13:22:00.001Z

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 ;-)

Merry Christmas !!!

2010-12-24T19:05:00.000Z

Pirates of the Mediterranean - a Buccaneer special

2010-11-19T17:53:00.001Z

I love this video and the sound track - way cool.

By the Dawn's Early Light - close to completion

2010-11-18T21:34:00.000Z

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

The first of many

2010-10-26T20:15:00.002+01:00

A concept sketch for a painting of Lieutenant Commander Godfrey de Courcelles Chevalier making the first USN carrier landing in an Aeromarine 39B, 26th October 1922.

Blocking in detail

2010-09-26T12:10:00.004+01:00

The blocking in stage, is often referred to the "ugly" stage as it usually looks rough, unfinshed and lacking in detail. The important part of blocking in is to get get colour and values right. Once the initial layer is dry the shapes can be finalised and detail added.

Dodgy photo time

2010-09-22T21:29:00.003+01:00

A sneak preview of progress on the full size "By the dawns Early Light". The sky is complete and I'm starting to block in the F-4s.

There is a little glare from the flash, so I'll try and get a better photo in daylght.

By the Dawn's Early Light

2010-08-12T19:52:00.001+01:00

Calling this one done !

‎"By the Dawn's Early Light"
complete and signed
colour study
18" x12 "
Available for purchase

On to the full size version.

Still looking for a title

2010-08-11T17:11:00.004+01:00

I still haven't decided on the title for this one yet, but the second colour study is almost complete. A few last details to add once this has dried.

I've started transfering the line drawing onto canvas for the full size version of this one.

OK 2 colour study complete

2010-08-01T11:55:00.004+01:00

OK 2 colour study - complete and signed.

18" x 9" Available for purchase

On to the full size version.

OK 2 and some older news

2010-07-27T20:29:00.006+01:00

Very close to complete with a few changes made over the last week. I'm very happy with this and will start work on the full size (36" x 18") version in the next few days.

Just the wire shadows and tyre smoke to be added, but I need to allow things dry before I add them. This is the planned crop although the image itself is a couple of inches wider.
18" x 9" oil on canvas, and available for purchase.

I'm also really pleased to confirm that my as yet untitled colour study of three F-4Bs from VF-151 was awarded a Blue Founders Ribbon at the American Society of Aviation Artists forum and exhibition held last month in San Diego at the Air and Space Museum.

I will also be starting the full size (36" x 24") version of this one later this week.

OK 2 - colour study nearly complete.

2010-07-04T21:11:00.004+01:00

It's all blocked in, and I'm happy with both colours and values. I'll leave this to dry, before adding detail and tiding up the deck.

I also plan to add a few glazes to the areas in shadow to bring them out and add reflected light.

Rock River 110 - working title "OK 2"

2010-06-20T12:40:00.003+01:00

The early stages of another F-4 colour study.

The grey area to the right is planned to be cropped out when complete.

18" x 9" oil on canvas

Got to think of a title for this one

2010-05-31T13:40:00.003+01:00

Three hours work and the sky is pretty much done. I'll let this dry before adding the last details, and then tackling the Phantoms.

I deliberately didn't use the previous colour study as a guide as I wanted to try slightly darker colours for the sky in this version. Given I knew I would have to blend the sky with the fan brush I masked the two smaller F-4's so I could blend without worrying about losing the drawings.

2010-05-29T17:06:00.001+01:00

A bit of a dodgy photo, but I've transfered the drawing for the half sized study onto a piece of unmounted fine canvas. I'll seal this with a wash of acrylic burnt sienna and then I can break out the oils again.

I've got the full size line drawing stuck to the wall at the moment and it looks pretty cool. #213 measures... 24.5" tip to tail !

Danny Coreman's excellent "Uncovering the US Navy Phantom" turned up in the post this week, so I'm busy checking the details as the larger studies demand more atention to detail.

Pete

Half Size Colour Study Started

2010-05-29T17:04:00.003+01:00

Breaking Rhinos

2010-05-09T10:20:00.007+01:00

Well the first colour study is finished - still given its only 12" x 8" that's not much to boast about

It turned out better than I thought it would when half complete, the colours are not as bad as I thought and I think it's good enough to sign !

When I look at this on screen it's the same size as the actual painting 12" (30cm) wide, which is why the detail is so loose. On to the half size study and line drawing.

More Phantoms

2010-05-02T21:16:00.006+01:00

I'm working on another F-4 painting with the composition pretty much firmed up and a quick value study completed. I may well get side lined with a couple of colour studies along the way as I want to work quickly and not get bogged down with detail and reworking of areas already completed.

2b on vellum 12" x 8"

No title as yet, and I may remove one or other of the more distant Phantoms.

The background image added to give some context

The full size line drawing needs to be completed next

Devil Dog makes the 2010 ASAA juried exhibition

2010-05-01T20:18:00.002+01:00

I'm really pleased to say that "Devil Dog Takedown" has been accepted for the 2010 American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA) juried art show. The painting will therefore be on display at the San Diego Air & Space Museum from June 7 until Sept 10. So if you're in the SD area this summer be sure to pop along and have a look at all the aviation art.

John "Cat" Chesire

2010-04-16T19:08:00.003+01:00

A very quick pencil sketch of John, who served with VF-151 including two Westpac tours of Vietnam.

Devil Dog Takedown

2010-04-13T17:53:00.008+01:00

The painting is complete

"Devil Dog Takedown"

Oil on canvas
36" x 18"

I've cropped this from the original 36x24 as I think it works better, and is actually in keeping with the original thumbnail for this one.

Shamrock 201 scores the only aerial kill (of a VPAF MiG 21) by a USMC aircraft during the Vietnam war, 11th September 1
972.

It's available for purchase if anyone is interested, and I may offer a small print run.

Some details shots

The business end of things

the other end

and a dying MiG 21

I got hold of a recording of the cockpit transmissions of the engagement (the whole thing is 20 minutes long) and every time I listen to it the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Pete

Aircraft detail being added

2010-04-02T16:26:00.004+01:00

This is the bit I enjoy the most, adding the detail. It's at this stage that things strart to come alive.

Hopefully this is pretty close to being completed.

Devil Dog Take Down

2010-03-22T20:26:00.005Z

Well at long last an update on my F-4J painting. I've pretty much got everything blocked in and can now work on the final details.

This is how is stands at the moment

and this is a quick photoshopped version of what it "might" end up like.

First of the Year

2010-01-17T20:34:00.003Z

This was a quick study that I tried to complete in one day working alla prima. It actually took 7 hours spread over two sessions.

A Spitfire PRXIX, oil on board, 12" x6". Painting this small was quite a challenge, but I enjoyed working quickly and relatively loosely.

Last post of 2009

2009-12-31T16:42:00.006Z

Well the last 3/4 months have been pretty hectic and as such the blog has suffered. I've a good feeling about 2010 and so lets hope lots of good art is created.

"Duxford Spitfire" took a couple of weeks and was a Christmas present for my Dad.

Oil on board, 30" x12"

The USMC F-4 Phantom is back on the easel after being rested for a while, so I hope fresh updates will follow shortly.

Happy 2010 all

F-4J Phantom Work in Progress

2009-09-10T20:37:00.006+01:00

After a lengthy period of research and prep work I've finally got around to working with paint again.

This piece will show Shamrock 201 a F-4J Phantom from VMFA-333 gaining the only MiG kill by an USMC aircraft during the Vietnam War. The actual event took place on the 11th September 1972, and I'll post a little bit of the history in due course.

The line drawing transfered to the canvas and sealed with an acylic underpainting

The background blocked in, but with subtle field detail included. The Phantom was flying at about 1000 feet above ground level at this time so a level of detail will need to be shown.

The painting is oil on canvas, 36" x 24" and is available for purchase when complete, so drop me a line if you are interested

Had a great day at Duxford yesterday.

2009-09-07T17:19:00.005+01:00

Spent yesterday watching the airshow and walking the flightline. What could be better.

An Evening with the Boxted Airfield Historical Group

2009-08-05T20:38:00.008+01:00

Following on from my painting "The Roar of Thunder" the Boxted Airfield Historical Group invited me along to an evening talk at which Russ Kyler was to be the guest of honour. The event was held in Boxted village hall, a short distance from the site of the airfield and was sold out.

The Group are busy raising funds to open a visitor centre and museum at Boxted dedicated to the airfield and 56th FG. They hope this will be complete and open to the public next year. This was Russ's first visit to the UK since the War's end,and it was great to meet with him following our lengthy email exchanges and to hear a few more of his experiances.

Leslie French a RAF P-47 pilot who flew in Burma also spoke and provided an interesting contrast. Russ talked about strafing Luftwaffe airfields and the dangers of flak, while Leslie talked about endless jungle into which a plane and pilot could just disappear. Both agreed however that the P-47 was a plane they loved and that got them home on occasions a lesser plane might not have done so. They also both spoke of the awesome fire power from the eight .50 cal machine guns, particularly at their convergence range.

They each talked for about half an hour, and both provided inspiration for several more paintings.

Here I share the platform (from left to right) with Leslie, Russ (standing) and Dave Gianakos. Dave is a Captain with NorthWest Airlines flying 747's but more importantly he presented to Russ who signed and then in turn presented it to the Boxted Airfield Historical Group a stunning 1/24 model of Russ's aicraft HV*J. (It was also Dave's birthday which explains why there is a birthday cake with 4 candles and an airliner on the table.)

Following the talks a small auction was held at which print 1/56 of Roar of Thunder was auctioned with the proceeds going towards the museum fund. I'm pleased to say it went for a good price. In addition a further 25 small exclusive prints I provided of Russ's aircraft all sold out, with myself, Russ and Leslie signing these. Proceeds again going to the museum fund.

Unfortunatly I did not get the time I would have liked to talk with Russ as he was in demand from virtually everybody in the hall, and busy signing books, prints and all manner of stuff.

It was a great evening and I was impressed at the drive and ambition shown by the Boxted Airfield Historical Group. I'd like to take this opportunity of thanking Richard, Ron, Jeremy and the others from the group for all their hardwork. I have no doubt the visitor centre and museum will be first class when it opens next year, and I'll be sure to visit as soon as I can.

2009 ASAA Forum - Part Six

2009-07-12T17:44:00.017+01:00

Looking Back.

Having attended three ASAA forums, I can say that this year's was the best yet. As always the welcome was warm and friendly, and it was great to catch up with friends, albeit I only get to see most of them at these annual events.

The academic sessions tipped the balance, and it was both a pleasure and informative to hear the various speakers share their knowledge. Aside from these formal sessions it was also hugely enjoyable to chat over a beer for several hours each evening about aviation and art. During these sessions the air was a buzz with hints, tips, and all kinds of useful information.

I'd like to thanks all those that worked to make the forum the success it was, in particularly Nan and Mike O'Neal, Gerry Asher for making sure that the beer never run out, and all the other members of the board.

Thanks also to all the staff of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum for all their generosity, help, and hardwork at the museum.

Looking Forward.

Next years forum is hoped to be in San Antonio to coincide with the 100th anniversary of US Army/US Air Force flight which began on March 2, 1910 when Lt. Benjamin Foulois piloted a Wright Brothers airplane from Ft. Sam Houston. I hope to be there.

The 2011 Forum is to be at Pensacola to coincide with the celebrations of 100 years of US Naval Aviation. Given my love for Naval Aviation this will be a must attend event for me.

I hope this series of articles has whetted a few appetites and that those of you with half a mind to join ASAA will now do so.

As always the flight home was another opportunity to take yet more photos of clouds and skyscapes - you can never have enough.

2009 ASAA Forum - Part Five

2009-07-07T19:55:00.009+01:00

Academics and Presentations.

This year the schedule of events included several presentations plus a couple of very worthwhile academic sessions.

The presentations covered a diverse range of subjects.

Captain Rich Dann spoke about the upcoming celebrations of 100 years of US Naval Aviation in 2011. Rich is an ASAA member and artist, but is also heavily involved with the US Navy's preparation for the events being planned for 2011.

A video was put together at short notice by Bryan Moon of MIA Hunters about the efforts he makes to track down WWII aircrew missing in action in the Papua New Guinea region. Bryan had planned to attend and give the presentation in person, however events prevented him from doing so which was a shame given the good work he does in this much neglected field.I'm sure many in the audience would have liked to spend time speaking with him on this subject.

Keith Ferris held a Q & A session on business practices, with the proposed Orphan Art Bill dominating this session given the concerns nearly all artists have about its implications.

Merana Cadorette, who is a Savannah based artist give a slide presentation on her water colour works contained in her book the Gates of Savannah.

Hank Caruso held a short presentation illustrated in his own unique style covering the basics of flight and how aircraft at rest differ from when they are in flight.

A Figure drawing academic was hosted by Gil Cohen. Gil chose to restrict the halfday session to gesture drawing.

The idea was to quickly sketch the volunteers at work on the B-17 restoration in the Combat Gallery. Given these "models" did not stop working the trick was to capture their basic shapes and proportions with just a few pencil lines before they moved and changed their pose. I've never drawn any figures from life before if truth be told so this was very interesting session.

I was surprised at how easy it is to catch the gesture when you don't have the time to worry about the detail. I plan to carry on this type of exercise at home as it strikes me as very good way to improve my drawing skills. I firmly believe if I can draw the human form well, I can pretty much draw anything.

The second main academic was hosted by Charles Thompson, and was a messy affair, working with large sticks of charcoal. The aim of this session was to use charcoal to roughly block in masses and values. This allows compositions to quickly be tested before the main work is started. Charles does a lot of Plein Air work, and uses this method to establish a composition before he starts painting. In this respect it is similar to the way thumbnail sketch are used when building a composition. Again I've never worked with charcoal in this way before. The challenge Charles set was to draw without using lines. Again it was surprising how easy it was to build shapes without the use of lines. When you don't worry about the detail getting the basic shapes right becomes easier. (It's the front part of a B-24 mounted on a trolley, in case you can't tell).

Both these academics showed what can be learnt when you try something different and move outside of your comfort zone. Tutelage from the likes of Charles and Gil is worth its weight in gold, and all helps towards the aim of becoming a better artist.

John Clark did a wonderful job dissecting the construction of "Paris Street; Rainy Weather" by Gustave Caillebotte. No apparent connection with aviation art here, but I found this extremely interesting and it's an area I will explore further on my own. By the end of this session it was apparent that as much preparation went into this painting as any piece of complex aviation art.

The final academic was run by Keith Ferris and dealt with how to apply lettering and insignias to an aircraft. This is an area I, and many other artists find challenging but Keith, as always, had a very simple solution, proving once again that all problems can be solved, you just need to understand the real issue first. His solution is to ensure that the underlying shape of the aircraft surface is understood and that the markings being placed are broken down into simple shapes with known dimensions.

Tomorrow I'll wrap up with my thoughts on the week as a whole...

2009 ASAA Forum - Part Four

2009-07-05T14:33:00.005+01:00

The 23rd International Aerospace Art Exhibition .

On the evening of Tuesday the 23th June the exhibition was formally opened at a ribbon cutting event and buffet reception. The exhibition will remain on display until 3rd January 2010.

56 paintings are on display in the Colonial Group Inc. Art Gallery in the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, having been selected by the jury from all the entries received. In addition to paintings in oil and acrylic, there are also works in watercolour, mixed media, sculpture, pencil plus a quilted piece. Styles are equally wide ranging from the military realism the genre is perhaps best known for, to impressionism, contemporary and several pieces verging on abstract.

Photos of all the works in the exhibition can be found here on the eHangar website, with these having been taken and posted by Roger Watts.
Roger is an ASAA member, but as a collector rather than artist. He is also the proud owner of at least 4 of the pieces on display including my own. Here Roger and I flank both my painting, together with "Right on Time" by Steve Heyen above it.

ASAA produces a full colour catalogue showing each of the paintings on display and providing a brief biography on each of the artists featured. I believe a number are still available so if anybody wishes to purchase one please let me know and I'll pass your enquiry on.

ASAA Awards

Honorable Mention, Ardell Bourgeois - Setting The Noose

Honorable Mention, Hank Caruso - Stranded in the Jungle
Honorable Mention, Steven Heyen - Right On Time
Honorable Mention, Matt Milkowski - Vision Over Europe
Honorable Mention, Kevin Weber - Capt. Bruce Weber-Navy Cross
James V. Roy, Jr John Reinhold - A Golden Time
Award of Distinction Charles Thompson - Cold War Reflections
Merit, Paul Burrows - Lakeside Tranquility
Merit, Richard Allison - Triplane Surprise
Founders Gold, Werner Haeuptli - Black and White
Founders Silver, Paul Burrows - Tedium
Founders Silver, Priscilla Patterson - Milestones
Founders Blue, James Waldon - Clouds Are Waiting
Founders Blue, Kevin Weber - Sunlit Splendor

Awards sponsored by Aviation Week & Space Technology
Best of the Best, Richard Allison - Triplane Surprise
Commercial 1st, John Reinhold - A Golden Time
Commercial 2nd, Tom Kalina - Path of Experience
Commercial 3rd, John Reinhold - On Step With the Past
General 1st, Cher Pruys - Airbase
General 2nd, Sam Lyons - J-3 Morning
General 3rd, Paul Burrows - Then and Now
Military 1st, Charles Thompson - Spitfires & Spritsails
Military 2nd, Wade Meyers - Temporary Reprieve
Military 3rd, Ardell Bourgeois - Setting the Noose
Space 1st, John Clark - Lunar Phase
Space 2nd, Larry Manofsky - Saturn V Moon Rise
Space 3rd, none
Capt. Duane Whitney, Hank Caruso - Stranded in the Jungle
Boeing, Gil Cohen - Almost There
Women In Aviation, Gerry Asher - Women’s Work
Nixon Galloway, Keith Woodcock - Speed
CAE SimuFlite, John Reinhold - A Golden Time
Walter Jefferies (A), Russell Smith - Huns Nightmare
Walter Jefferies (F), Kristin Hill - Another Important Mission
Winsor & Newton, Ronald Wong - MiG Alley Blues

Luther Y. Gore Service Award
Gerry Asher
Bob McAuley

The standard of art on display seems to get better each year, and is certainly in line with ASAA's aim for "The Pursuit of Excellence".

Tomorrow I'll cover the Academics we enjoyed over the course of the week....

2009 ASAA Forum - Part Three

2009-07-04T18:39:00.002+01:00

Carrying on from yesterday, today I'll give a flavour of what the ASAA forums are all about.

The first forum organised by Luther Gore was held in 1983, whilst the establishment of the ASAA was still being formalised. Since the ASAA charter was agreed in 1986 a further 23 forums have been held each incorporating the annual International Aerospace Art Exhibition. Having joined ASAA in 2006 I've attended the 2007, 2008, and of course 2009 forums.

The forum is a chance for members to get together and enjoy a week centred around aviation and art. This year the weeks schedule was dominated by academics ( much to my delight). I'm not sure of the final number of attendees but believe it was over 60. This number included family members and non artists who had the opportunity to enjoy the Savannah area in addition to the formal agenda. Attendence to any of the sessions is totally down to the individual, with no pressure to attend, so you are free to come and go as your like.

A typical day this year started with a briefing at 8.00 o'clock in the morning, providing details and timings for the rest of the day. Formal sessions then started in the museum at 9.00. Lunch was 12.00 - 13.00 with the afternoons sessions kicking off at 14.00 and running through to 16.00/17.00ish. This was followed by an evening meal, either as an organised event for all, or the chance to link up with a few fellow artists and the chance to discover the local cuisine. After eating most attendees would drift back to the hospitality suite and partake of their favourite tipple.

These hospitality sessions are worth a more detailed look, given the suite does not close until the last person leaves, and this seemed to average around 3.00 am each morning! These evening sessions are where friendships are made, advice freely given and everybody expresses an opinion on just about anything. Art brought along to the forum is on display all week in the hospitality suite as an unjuried exhibition. This provides plenty of topics for discussion and also the opportunity to have the greats of the aviation art world look your work over. There is nothing better than Keith Ferris sitting with you for half an hour or so and critiquing your work. (You ignore his words of wisdom at your peril). Otherwise the evening is littered with gentle banter, and drinking beer.

The real strength of the forums is to be found in the friendships made, and the huge amount of expertise on call, both at the forum, but also afterward upon returning home.

Tomorrow I'll touch on this years ASAA International Aerospace Art Exhibition...

2009 ASAA Forum - Part Two

2009-07-03T18:11:00.013+01:00

As I mentioned yesterday, this years ASAA Forum was hosted by the The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, which is in Pooler, a few miles outside of Savannah, Georgia, USA.

175 Bourne Ave.
Pooler, GA
31322912-748-8888

The museum extended us every courtesy, and in addition to allowing us to come and go as we pleased during opening hours also provided a conference room in which most of the academics were held and are also hosting this years ASAA art exhibition.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for their terrific generosity and assistance.

The museum is very much about the people that served with the 8th AAF and its exhibits reflect their stories, acts of heroism, and sacrifice. However their pride and joy is the B-17G that they took delivery of in January this year.

The B-17 is undergoing complete restoration but is on display in the Combat gallery. Once the restoration is complete she will be painted in the colours of the 5000th aircraft to be processed through Hunter Army Air Field at Savannah during WWII and appropriately named "The City of Savannah". This aircraft then went on to serve with the 563rd BS from the 388th BG, and flew 44 combat missions.

Outside and accessed from the Combat Gallery are the beautiful Memorial Gardens. These gardens are a place for quiet reflection on the scarifies made, with the numerous wall plaques and memorials a powerful reminder of those that did not return home.

It seems appropriate to include a photo of the 56th FG memorial given they are the group portrayed in my painting on display in the art exhibition.

I'll leave covering the forums until tomorrow to stop this issue becoming too long

2009 ASAA Forum - Part One

2009-07-02T19:26:00.017+01:00

I spent last week in Savannah, Georgia, attending this year’s American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA) Forum, which was hosted by the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. This annual forum is pretty much non stop aviation art, and also marks the launch of the ASAA’s annual art exhibition.

Rather than give a dry day-by-day description of the event I will spend the next few days giving a flavour of the ASAA and forum activities. Today I’ll concentrate on the ASAA itself and provide a little background information for those of you that are not familiar with the Society.

The American Society of Aviation Artists.

“Dedicated to the Pursuit of Excellence and Public Appreciation of Aerospace Art.”

This simple statement gets right to the heart of the ASAA’s objectives. Founded in 1986 ASAA seeks to help and assist those artists who wish to improve their art, but at the same time garner further interest and appreciation in aviation and aerospace art from the general public.

Membership is open to all those that have an interest in the subject, and you certainly don’t have to be an artist to join. A passion for aviation art is the constant amongst members be they artists, collectors of aviation art, or just those with an enthusiasm for the subject.

For more information on the ASAA please have a look at their website.

Tomorrow I’ll talk a little about the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum and what the ASAA forums are all about....

Roar of Thunder accepted into the 2009 American Society of Aviation Artists juried exhibition.

2009-06-19T19:47:00.003+01:00

I'm pleased to announce that the "Roar of Thunder" has been accepted into this years American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA) exhibition being held at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Savannah, Georgia, USA.

The exhibition opens June 21st and runs until 3rd January 2010. The exhibition has it's formal opening and reception on Tuesday 23rd June, and I'm looking forward to attending. Look out for updates and a report on the event. I can't wait to be there.

In response to high demand I'm also pleased to advise that a Limited Edition Giclee print of the "Roar of Thunder" is available. The limited edition is restricted to 56 prints, in honour of the 56th Fighter Group depicted in the painting. Please visit my website for details, but if you are interested move quickly as the first prints are already going quickly.

VA-195 Corsairs

2009-06-19T19:33:00.007+01:00

I managed to knock this painting out pretty quickly given it's a fairly simple concept. Two weeks from start to finish. 18" x 9" Oil on Canvas. It's available for purchase at $550 (including P&P). I hope to do a larger version of this one (36" x 18") if time and schedule allows.

Two A-7E's from VA-195

A little detail

And a pencil value study as part of the prep' process

2nd Place at National Museum of Naval Aviation Art Contest

2009-05-12T20:55:00.007+01:00

Well the exhibition opened last week at Pensacola, and the competition results were announced yesterday.

I'm delighted to say that "On Final" took Second Place.

While "Into the Storm" won an Honourable Mention

The exhibtion runs through to April next year, so if you are in the area pop in and have look. Entry to the Museum is free.

The Roar of Thunder

2009-04-23T10:22:00.011+01:00

Having first put paint down on canvas in November last year, the P-47 painting is now finished, and officially titled "The Roar of Thunder".

44" x14" inches oil on canvas, showing six P-47M's taking off from runway 04, Boxted, April 1945.

A detail of the lead P-47. This was aircraft flown by Russ Kyler, and named after his wife Lorene. As mentioned earlier in the blog (see 18th August 2008 "From the Horses Mouth") Russ was a great help in providing information on how they took off in Squadron formation. I'm pleased to say that having seen the finished painting Russ is pleased with the end result and has offered to sign it for me. I'm already being asked about the availability of prints and so will be looking into providing a small limited edition run.

The rest of the gaggle

National Museum of Naval Aviation - Art Exhibition

2009-04-04T09:49:00.017+01:00

Yesterday I received confirmation that the two paintings I entered into this years juried art exhibition have both been accepted. Needless to say I'm very pleased and proud of this.

On Final

This painting shows a Grumman F9F-2 Panther (Bu123600) of VF191 on final to land on the USS Princeton, CV-37, in Korean Waters, April 1951. Oil on canvas 24" x 16". This painting was displayed at the 2007 American Society of Aviation Artists forum and was awarded a Silver ASAA Founders Award.

Into The Storm

An A6 Intruder over Vietnam December 1971. This painting featured in early postings and is oil on canvas, 36" x 28". The original is available for purchase, and I'm currently offering a limited edition giclee print.

The exhibition is at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida, USA. It opens on Wednesday 6th May, in conjunction with the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation’s 2009 Symposium which runs from 6th to 8th May. This year’s program is “Something New in the Air: An Exciting Look at the Latest in Naval Aviation” and “Valiant Rescue Attempt: North Vietnam". The art exhibition itself runs through to April 2010.

Time for an update !

2009-03-24T19:20:00.006Z

First up the P-47 painting is still progressing, and dare I say it, getting close to completion.

Given this painting is starting to draw to an end, I'm starting to think about the next project. At the moment it will be of a A-7 Corsair of VA-195 on the opening day of Operation LineBacker, 10th May 1972. Lets see if this plan survives contact with the "enemy".

P-47 progress

2008-12-09T18:01:00.003Z

Slow work as lots going on at the moment, plus with winter here daylight hours and decent light to paint by is scarce.

I've managed to get the sky pretty much completed, other than a few details that I will add once things are dry.

Now I've got the sky finished I can start laying in the grass areas, as the sky has set the mood and will control the ground colours.

P-47 Colour on Canvas

2008-11-30T17:29:00.014Z

Some good progress over the last couple of weeks, with the complete line drawing transferred to the canvas. All the main elements have been underpainted for value in acrylic (burnt umber and ultramarine blue), plus at long last the lid has come off the oils.

Here is a photo I took at Duxford in September which I'm using as reference for the background landscape elements.

I'm using fine grain cotton canvas, which is temporarily mounted on a sheet of mdf. This provides a rigid support on which to draw and paint. Once complete the canvas will be removed from the mdf and mounted on stretcher bars in the normal way. The canvas area being painted is 42" x 14".

P-47 Work at last on the actual canvas.

2008-11-15T22:27:00.008Z

Progress at last. Lots of behind the scenes work has finally paid off.

I've a 42"x 14" fine grain canvas mounted (temporarily) on a sheet of mdf.

I've given this a burnt sienna wash in acrylic, and started to transfer the full size drawing elements. Here's the T2 Hangar and tech area, which I've underpainted with a mixture of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue (again in acrylic).

This element measures approx 19" across, and is the left side of the canvas as viewed.

Sorry about the dodgy photo, but its a hand held snap under artificial light.

P-47 colour study

2008-10-28T21:27:00.003Z

Played around with a little colour on this study to get a feel for a good grass colour, and to test the warm/cool colour contrast.

It was also the chance to practice the prop' arc which is always a challenge.

P-47 background work

2008-10-21T20:48:00.004+01:00

A pencil sketch of the tech area and T2 hangar that sits in the background given my selected viewpoint. These are the dominant objects on the Boxted skyline and so it's important to get them right. The sketch is some 13 inches across at 1:1 scale, and is a third of the full canvas width.

The parked P-47 needs some more work (looks more like a Wildcat at present), but otherwise this is loose in detail given it is a background only and some 4000 feet from the viewpoint.

This sketch will serve as the value study for this element of the painting.

Into the Storm Remarques

2008-09-28T19:26:00.009+01:00

After a few quick practice sketches I sat down this weekend and started adding remarques to the prints already ordered.

These little drawings measures about 11cm across.

Into the Storm - Prints now available

2008-09-18T19:16:00.007+01:00

The first print run has arrived and boy do they look good. Colour and values are spot on which is a testimony to the skills of the printer (and aviation artist in his own right) Tom Smith

This is a limited edition of 165 giclee prints, given the Intruder is from VA-165.
Print size is 30.5 X 24 inches. The border is 2 inches (2.5” at the bottom), so the the actual image size is 20 X 26 inches.
Price is $115, or $165 for a remarqued version. P&P included, payment via paypal.
Please drop me an email if interested, or have any questions.

I've several remarque prints already ordered, and I'll upload images of the remarques once they are complete.

The original painting is also availabe, 36 x 28 inches, oil on canvas. If interested please drop me a line.

P-47 Colour Study - nearly complete

2008-09-15T17:28:00.005+01:00

Last few details to be added, and maybe a background

Otherwise I'm pleased with this. One aircraft down, a few more to go.

P-47 Colour Study - good progress made

2008-09-14T12:42:00.004+01:00

The colour study is pretty much blocked in with values now being adjusted and detail
added.

This study has already helped hightlight some areas I need to work on, so that when the final cavas is worked on it should be plain sailing. (That's the plan anyway)

P-47 Colour Study - early stages

2008-09-07T18:41:00.006+01:00

Planning and drawing is still underway for the P-47 takeoff, but I could not go any longer without actually putting some paint on canvas. Rather than rush the main compostion and regret it later I decided that a colour study of the main subject aircraft was the thing to do. The study would allow me to slap some paint around, but it will also serve me well when painting the same aircraft on the main canvas.

It took 10 minutes or so the transfer the drawing to a sheet of unmounted canvas (10"x12"), which I then covered with a thin wash of acrylic burnt sienna. This serves the dual purpose of sealing in the pencil drawing, and also taking away the brightness of the white canvas.

A couple of hours later.

Just so you can understand what you are seeing here, this P-47 was painted in a matt black finish (it's suggested with a purple tinge). Given this is only a study its aim is to help me establish, values and colours. I choose to mix a black from the three primary colours, and the whole thing has been painted only with these primaries (Ultramarine Blue, Madder and Cadmium Light Yellow) together with white.

While there remains a lot more to do, I'm pleased with the progress. Once dry I will glaze the black areas in order to unify the colours, before adding the highlights.

Into the Storm Print - sneak preview

2008-08-30T15:36:00.009+01:00

Well the giclee print of "Into the Storm" is just about ready, with the initial batch with the printer.

Here's a sneak preview

This will be offered as a Limited editon of 165 prints, with an option for a remarque to be added. I'll post a larger image once I've recieved the prints from my printer. Feel free to drop me an email if you are interested.

Value Study

2008-08-29T20:40:00.003+01:00

I'm still playing around with the final composition, as it is possible to have as many as eight further Thunderbolts in the background behind the main pair. While I think it will be exciting to include so many aircraft I don't want the overall composition to be weakened, or over crowded.

In the meantime as a little light relief, and as an excuse to actually do some art I scribbled a quick value study down of one of the main pair.

This study is on tracing paper, which allowed me to overlay it over the already completed line drawing. This is the first time I have used this method, and it is obvious why it is recommended. However the quality of the tracing paper I had to hand is far lower than it needs to be. However as quick exercise it served it's purpose.

From the Horses Mouth

2008-08-18T20:58:00.004+01:00

With all my paintings I like to speak with somebody who has flown the aircraft being depicted to ensure that things are as accurate as possible. For the P-47 piece I am lucky enough to be in contact with Russ Kyler. Russ flew with the 56th Fighter Group, from August 1944 through to the end of the war, with 10 aircraft kills to his credit. (Russ's P-47M is featured in the decal options for the excellent Tamiya 1/48th model kit).

In response to my questions Russ come back with the following information.

For a mission, each squadron lined up on the runway, four across & either three deep or four deep, depending on whether we were launching a 12 ship or 16 ship squadron. Flight leader & his wingman took off on the left side of the runway & #3 & #4 used the right side of the runway. #1 & #2 would get airborne ASAP while #3 & #4 would stay on the runway until they were well past the point of "lift-off" of #1 & #2, thus avoiding any prop-wash. This type of take-off was continued until all squadron a/c were airborne. We would hold our position until the flight taking off were passing behind the nose of our a/c & then we would start our roll. We could get 12 or 16 a/c airborne in about two minutes. The second squadron lined up on a different runway & as soon as the last element cleared the intersection, they would begin their take-off. The third squadron was lining up on the first runway & as soon as #2 squadron
cleared the intersection, they would begin their take-offs. The total time for all three squadrons to get airborne was usually 6 to 8 minutes. I've seen as many as eight a/c rolling on the runway at the same time.

Pairs were rolling at (approx) 8 to 10 second intervals and I'd guess at about 200 feet apart on the runway.

With 108 gal tanks the lead a/c would use max power & get airborne ASAP using the same technique as above.

On take-off (04/22) 2800 RPM & 72 in Hg about 2/3 rds of the runway & 2nd elements used about 3/4 ths of the total runway.
(the Easterly runway was a different story as we needed every foot of runway we could get).

The normal position for the wingman on take-off, was to keep his wing tip even with the star on the fuselage of the lead a/c and just far enough out to clear the wingtips if an over-run occurred as per an aborted take-off. Normally, the flight leader took the left side of the runway with #2 on his right wing; #3 (Element leader) took the right side of the runway just about opposite of #2 & #4 positioned himself on the left wing of #3. Clearance was never over a couple of feet & I've had my wing man "overlap" as much as two feet of wing & hold it for the take-off & forming up with the rest of the squadron. (That's a tight formation)

This information was great news from my perspective as it allowed a return to the original concept, with the aircraft a lot closer together, which increases the drama, and to my mind improves the composition.

It did mean things needed to be reworked a little however.

The revised composition, with line drawings well underway.

A closer look at the nearly completed line drawing of the main aircraft subject.

First P-47 line drawing

2008-07-31T20:43:00.008+01:00

As I mentioned in the previous post I've started work on the line drawings of the aircraft. I use a perspective software developed by Joe Demarco, a talented aviation artist in his own right, and a really nice guy. Joe's Artists' Perspective Modeler (APM) can be used to create a basic line drawing based on plotting X, Y, and Z co-ordinates for as many reference points as required to create the object.

Once the co-ordinates are all plotted the data can be manipulated so the object can be viewed from any distance, and at any attitude but with the perspective remaining correct regardless of the view distance and attitude. Once the desired view is decided upon, the program will provide the necessary X and Y co-ordinates so the object can be plotted and drawn (at any scale required).

Here is the line drawing from the review function within APM, which while it is identifiable as a P-47 is also a long way from the finished drawing required.

This is the partially completed pencil drawing based on the plot data. As you can see this is a much more refined outline, and will be the basis for the final highly detailed line drawing. The lines of the aircraft are already evident here, with the foreshortening of the fuselage very easily dealt with by the software.

APM allows an accurate outline of an aircraft to be created from a set of 3 view plans in perfect perspective, which is a much better alternative than just copying a photograph. It also means that truly unique compositions can be created.

The next stage is to complete this drawing and the use it as the basis for either a value study in pencil, or a colour study in oil. This aircraft is the more distant of the two and so the secondary point of interest, and as such must allow for the main aircraft to hold the strongest values and colours.

P-47 prep, progress being made

2008-07-29T22:07:00.008+01:00

Slow work, mainly due to the day job, and the kids being on summer holiday, but progress on the P-47 painting is being made. I'm still refining the idea at this stage.

Here is a more refined version of the thumbnail, which I've created using a perspective software program.

And here a very basic version done in photoshop using a model placed at the correct distances and view angles to match the previous thumbnail. Given I can't get to see the real thing flying just as I want them to, the use of models is a big help in understanding how light plays over the surfaces and shapes.

I'm not yet 100% happy with the composition, but have moved onto creating the line drawing of the first aircraft. At this stage things start to come alive as the detail of the aircraft comes into play. Hopefully this stage will confirm the composition is working as I want it to.

Some P-47D reference

2008-07-19T21:23:00.005+01:00

I was lucky enough to get up to the Paul Allen collection at the Flying Heritage Collection when in Seattle last month with the ASAA 2008 Forum. As I was already planning the P-47 painting it was nice to get some shots of the real thing.

P-47 prep work

2008-07-16T21:26:00.008+01:00

The next major project is to be of two P-47 Thunderbolts taking off, with their undercarriage in the course of retracting, and each aircraft laden down with two drop tanks to allow for the long range mission that lays ahead.

The idea was born out of the desire to paint the P-47, and incorporates the interesting shapes created by the fuel tanks and undercarriage. I feel that panoramic canvases work well for aircraft paintings and so have used that idea here as well.

Here is the first thumbnail sketch showing the concept, it is no more than a pencil scribble in a note book.

Work is underway to take the concept and create a more formal layout of the planes, the distance between them, their height above the runway, and crucially the position of the sun, and so the light source.

Whilst the sketchbook was to hand I played with a quick pencil work (copying a drawing by Robert Taylor, just to get a feel for his style).

Into the Storm

2008-07-15T22:05:00.008+01:00

As shown in my previous post my last painting was of an US Navy A6A Intruder over Vietnam, entitled "Into the Storm"

I've included here the history that goes with this specific plane and the sad fate the befell Fred Holmes. The events of December 1971 provided the inspiration for this painting, reflecting both the "All Weather" capability of the aircraft, but also the bravery of the pilot and B/N as they prepare to fly into enemy AAA fire and missile defences over the target.

Proud Deep Alpha, a five day campaign 26-30 Dec1971, saw the greatest level of strikes since Rolling Thunder had been called to a halt on 31 October 1968. Targets for the five days were suspected munitions sites to the North of the DMZ.These strikes coincided with a period of serve bad weather, which saw solid cloud cover over the target areas from 500ft up to 10000 ft. On the last day of Proud Deep Alpha, December 30, 1971, an A6 from VA-165 flown by Lt Cdr Fred Holmes, with Lt C W Burton as B/N lead two A-7 Corsairs, and two F4 Phantoms from the USS Constellation on a radar guided bomb run. Their aircraft was observed to take a direct hit from a surface to air missile.

Lieutenant Burton was wounded, blown clear of the aircraft and his parachute deployed successfully. Another aircraft on the scene reported seeing two good chutes
deploy, but this report was later viewed as not confirmed. A search and rescue aircraft then reported both pilots in sight and in the water off Hon Nieu Island. Lieutenant Burton was rescued by U.S. forces. SAR forces located a pilot's ejection seat and life raft possibly belonging to Lieutenant Commander Holmes but were unable to locate either him or his chute in an area with a large number of North Vietnamese sampans.A Radio Hanoi broadcast referenced this incident,
one of several U.S. aircraft losses on the same date in the southern part of North Vietnam. While some pilots were reported captured alive,Lieutenant Commander Holmes' name was not identified among those captured. One returning POW recognized Lieutenant Commander Holmes' name but no returning POWs ever reported him alive in the northern Vietnamese prison system.

In April 1975 Lieutenant Commander Holmes case was submitted for a casualty review at the request of his next of kin. He was declared dead/body not recovered.

Welcome to my first posting

2008-07-12T21:30:00.009+01:00

To date I've run a blog within my website, but the time has now come to break out of the comfort zone, and widen my horizons.

This blog will be used to show the progress of current projects, from inception through to completion - well that's the plan, and as the military say "no plan survives contact with the enemy"

My last major painting was completed in early April this year, of an A6A Intruder flying in bad weather over Vietnam in December 1971

The painting is oil on canvas, 36" x 28".
The original is available for purchase, and I'm currently in the process of offering a limited edition giclee print. Details to follow once the print is colour proofed.