I hope you guys will put up with me posting images of what i do. Not exactly a model, but model have become an important part of my workflow, and this will show you why.

This piece is entitled "Close Quarters" and depicts the final moments of Lt Ivan Roberts, 27S1 USAS. Its going to be cover art for the 100th issue of the WW1 publication "Over the Front". Its a non-commissioned piece depicting an event that occurred on Sept 26, 1918 at approximately 5:50pm and involved SPADs from the 95th and 27th Aero Squadrons, Fokker DVII's of Jasta 13, and a Salmson 2A2. The fight resulted in the death of Lt. Ivan Roberts of 27Sq, seen here in the foreground. Roberts is credited to Lt Franz Büchner of Jasta 13. As Büchner was making his kill at nearly point blank range, Lt. Gravatt of 95 Sq (at the top of the 3-plane grouping) almost collided with him.

I use a method called geometric projection to create the perspective drawings for the main aircraft. This method allows me to create an accurate view of any aircraft from a specified distance. The background aircraft were drawn from models shot from long range.



The perspective drawing for Roberts' SPAD:



And the lighting reference. This is where the plastic work comes in handy. I used the Special Hobby 1/32 scale SPAD. This was one of my first forays back into the realm of plastic modeling after a 20-year absence, so don't laugh at my modeling skill please : ). The wires are too think and slightly loose, but the model served its purpose.

I only finish out my models insofar that I can take them outside and do this with them. In fact, sometimes I don't even bother finishing out the cockpit interiors. Put together, painted and rigged, however, a model can provide a great reference as to how direct and reflected sunlight would fall across a specific aircraft at different angles.



Here is the individual pencil study for Roberts' SPAD. This was drawn using the perspective drawing as my linear guide and the model as my lighting guide.




The overall composition. The background is a combination of a shot I took while flying into Houston last year and the Google Earth coordinates of the crash site provided to me by the researcher.



And the drawing that has been transferred to the canvas. I gave the canvas an overall stain of Raw Sienna so that the painting will have some nice, warm undertones. Normally my work flow includes and overall pencil study and small color study. However, this image is due mid-March, so I've skipped over the color study and overall pencil study on this one and gone straight to canvas.



Lastly, I spent the past few days blocking in the underpainting on this one. As is always the case at this point in a painting, the colors and values are not final. The ground colors in particular are fairly provisional. Overall, though, I'm satisfied with the direction that its going. I'll let this layer dry for a week or so before coming back and painting in the final layer. In the final finish layer I'll make adjustments to colors, darken some of the values, clean up lines and add in details. The painting measures 22" x 17".




Now here we are at the finished painting.
"Close Quarters"
oil on linen
17" x 22"

WOW ! Very excellent Russell indeed !

I don't know much about computers so I'm lost when you talk about this . However, I do like the lighting effect of using natural light for the shadows . This will be a great aid in weathering aircraft models as well for a more realistic appearence .

Very nice art work , I see it on the Drome all the time and you are very talented .
Your Model is also well as well !

Thank-you for sharing this with us folks here

Russell as always you put on a great show. You are always welcome here. I love the Ltn. Franz Büchner Jasta 13 Fokker D.VII(OAW). Nicely done!

Thanks so much Terri & Stephen.

Terri, I've been watching your Pfalz project on the "Drome. Very nice!

Stephen, your modeling talents always amaze! Nice job on the Büchner DVII.

Russell,
Fantastic Artwork my friend.Love the composition,and the Hobbycraft SPAD isn't too shabby either.Thanks for posting and keep us updated.
Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Hi Russell,

Wow, excellent stuff! May I use your photos and text and publish this as a feature for Aeroscale?

Jean-Luc

Certainly Jean-Luc. you have my permission.

Russ

We welcome all. I hope you continue to post here. The way you walked us through the entire process of what you do is very interesting. You make is seem so easy. I know it is not easy, but you make it look so easy. I admire talent like yours. That having been said...

Could we help you by photographing some of our builds from angles of your choosing?

What a great picture Russell: I just finished reading "Terror of the Autumn Skies" by Pardoe, so this is fresh in my brain housing group. Great rendering of the aircraft.

Mark

Russell,

Your artwork is awesome and speaking for myself, I would love to see more of this. Recreating history using the available tools is what an artist must do and your work on the SPAD is more than adequate. Please share more of this with us as you breath life back into this historic period that we all care so much about!

Regards, Dwayne