Proof #2: over the fence

Second rough, put a couple of hours into this one. Again, graphite, 7x10". This one shows the n-number and paint to much better effect, and the feeling hasn't suffered much for it. The moment of the flare was the client's first instinct as to what he wanted, and I feel it may be the stronger of the two.

Problems to be sorted out if this one goes full scale: Fix currently neutral dihedral. Get better reference for local geography; what I've seen seems to indicate that the eastern side of the field may be littered with small buildings. Finalize weak cloud structure--lone happy cumulus looks weird out there, though it was meant to direct. Stay tuned.

Proof #1: cruising flight

The first graphite rough, 7 x 10". Cruising flight, 3/4 backlight dancing on the clouds. The custom paint is visible, though not perhaps to best effect, and the N-number would show up in the full-sized painting, if a little less prominently. But this angle makes for a much more dynamic comp. Second to be executed starting tomorrow.

Problems: Starboard wingtip is cropped awkwardly. Need more depth in the cloudscape.

Travel Air painting

Working this week on a comission from a gentleman who once owned a Beech D95 Travel Air, which sadly was totaled about ten years ago in a training accident. I thought it might be a perfect way to get the ball rolling on this new blog.

First things first: the criteria. After meeting with my client, I came away with two very different but both fundamentally sound scenarios to work towards, with the airplane either coming over the fence at KPOU 24, dirty, or cruising at altitude with some kind of dramatic skyscape in the background. In either case it is important that we see the N-number and the custom paint work so that the airplane is distinguishable from all the other 95s out there. It was a gorgeous hunk of airplane, by the way.

The peculiarities of a light twin are such that any low angle is going to be tricky, with those nacelles blocking the cabin or registration. But that low angle is going to be the key to really feeling the landing flare. With a mind towards that I've gone to thumbnails. Here are a few of them.




Currently I'm looking at developing the last one on each page. The first one as cruising flight and the second as touchdown. Both are of a nice side of the plane and also show the numbers prominently. Watch out for the proof sketches sometime early next week.