Like a fine wine, this is one of those "gets better with time" projects ... at least that's my excuse!
^This one will be called, "Danzando nel cielo della Baia Di Pozzuoli", which translates as 'Dancing in the sky over the Bay of Pozzuoli.' The client who commissioned this piece is a photographer who took some stunning shots of the Bay of Pozzuoli near Naples. He loves the Frecce Tricolori and wanted to see a painting of a "private airshow" over his favorite vacation villa.
This rough mockup combines his photograph with an 'expanded' 24 x 40 inch canvas to accomodate the team. The Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori ("Tricolor Arrows") normally fly with nine MB-339A/PAN jets plus a solo, but we decided that the solo pilot is back at the airfield drinking an expresso on us. That leaves five jets in the foreground with a line-abreast four-ship out over the bay pulling up after a low pass.
My rough sketch jets were laid out by Descriptive Geometry. This allows quick visualization of the scene before the real work begins. From here, I'll do perspective projections of the MB-339s ...
^As mentioned earlier, with the concept mockup settled on and approved (see previous image and comments), the first order of business is to do perspective projections of the 5-ship wedge and the line-abreast 4-ship way out over the bay.
One advantage - well, THE advantage of Perspective Projection by Descriptive Geometry (DG) is that the artist can pick any point in space from which to view ... anything. All that's required is an accurate 3-view of the subject.
Normally, for aircraft, it's pretty easy to secure accurate drawings from which the artist can plot the 3-point perspective projection from his or her chosen point in space relative to the object(s). I found what I thought were decent plan views of the MB-339A/PAN, but long story short they were so inaccurate in critical areas that I had to start from scratch using (luckily) the extensive photo coverage of the team's jets. The drawings above are the result. With DG, we are looking to plot minimum points of interest - the 'details' are later hand-drawn using those same reference photos until we reach critical TLAR (That Looks About Right!), thus, not every little nit-picking detail is necessary in the plan view drawings ...
^This is the 'raw' perspective projection plot of the main five-ship formation. Next step is to go to Kinko's and enlarge this to a reasonable size and then freehand the details ...
^The basic, and I do stress the word 'basic', airframe outlines of all five jets are complete; they were 'built' on the perspective projections seen in the previous image. Now I have to go back and add various details such as the pilots, seats, airframe scoops and panel lines, etc. The team's attractive paint scheme will be outlined as well before I'm ready to begin the pencil study.
These outlines look a little 'flat' here, especially without the canopy bows, though I did hint at this detail in the #4 (lowest in this view) jet. There was and will be a lot of repetitive detail in this formation drawing, which can try the artist's patience and stamina, but I'm just glad these are JETS - no plotting of five different prop arc ellipses!
The very sharp eyed among you will note that the jets are slightly closer together than they are usually seen in photographs, and, because I can do it, they are in absolutely "perfect" formation/alignment, showing no ever-so-slight bobbing and weaving movement relative to each other. I did this on purpose for two reasons: first, this team like all well-known jet teams is much-photographed, and I wanted to make the formation "my own" rather than be accused of simply copying an existing photograph. Second, the concept for this painting is that the team is performing for the client's benefit, and in this "show pass" they tightened it up a bit as they passed his villa ~
^The 5-ship wedge outlines are complete. The aircraft formation, not counting the smoke trails, will be a little over 20 inches wide on the canvas. There will be more of the tri-color smoke (green, white, and red) visible to our left. Now that the 'engineering' is complete, I can trade my pocket protector for my artist's beret! This is a complex piece, so I'll be doing (in order) a small pencil study, a small oil study, a large pencil drawing, and then the final 24 x 40 in. canvas ...
^Left Wing - Smoke On
(detail study for oil painting, "Danzando nel cielo della Baia Di Pozzuoli")
6.25 x 16.25 in.
pencil on vellum
Collection of the artist
In my effort to sneak up on the 24 x 40 in. oil painting armed with a full measure of confidence, I thought I'd do a quick (5 hr.) detail study of one of my jets. I picked #2's (left wing) outline and concentrated on laying out a good value range that will serve as a model for the upcoming full-scene pencil and oil studies. By then, I should be ready for the final canvas [/quaking voice]. #2's smoke will be red. Should make for a colorful painting.
Edit - I think my oil study will be a color version of "Left Wing ...", rather than a miniature of the final painting ... I need to practice the jet and smoke colors (hence, a "color study"
) much more than I need to slavishly render the buildings below. The large pencil study is underway, and will be completed as the collector wants that for his office. The final painting will reside in his home.
I thought I'd do a "quick" oil study of the no. 2 jet, per my pencil drawing of same, but quick may not be the right word. Not much detail in this one, but lots of bits and niggles that requires all my rigger brushes to be out at the same time!
If this art thing doesn't pan out, I can always pin-stripe cars!
The final drawing ~
Danzando nel cielo della Baia Di Pozzuoli
(Dancing in the sky over the Bay of Pozzuoli)
Study for oil painting
18 x 30 in. Pencil on vellum
Collection of Col. Keith Hans
I think I now have the blue, red, green and yellow down pat. Ready for the big canvas featuring the rest of the team and an awesome backdrop!
Left Wing - Smoke On!
(oil study for "Danzando nel cielo della Baia Di Pozzuoli")
8 3/8 x 20 in. Oil on panel
Completed 2010
Collection of the Artist
Till later ...
Cheers!
Wade
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