Yet another Spitfire WIP

[ActionArt]

Hi all,

I'm at it again. I mentioned earlier that I'd be doing something for Don Laubman (see previous thread). I think it's finally to a point where I can post a rough preview.

This victory was right on the deck. It was the first of 15 for him. There will be much more detail behind the Spitfire where debris and fire from the 109 ahead will be flying around. Also needs gun flashes and whole lot of other things but here's a start

Comments and suggestions most welcome of course.

[RLN]

Brilliant as usual, AA. Maybe it's my eyes or the way my brain works (or not), but the way the vegetation is blurred makes it look like it's flying backwards.

[Jigsaw]

Great to see another post AA. I look forward to seeing the progress

I can't agree or disagree with RLN, my brain has always worked backwards

[Dan4th]

Well, EYE think it's just Leaping
Off the Page!!!!!!!!

Makes me want to DUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Danf.

[ActionArt]

Brilliant as usual, AA. Maybe it's my eyes or the way my brain works (or not), but the way the vegetation is blurred makes it look like it's flying backwards.

Thanks!

As for backwards, hmmm....never thought of that. I'll have to think of some visual cue to make sure that isn't the final impression. Technically, the actual motion blur is identical if he's going forward or backward so I'll have to add something to get it going the right way for everyone

By the way, I'm missing the prop blades, they'll be in the next one...

[Xplumberlives]

Just discount RLNs view, it looks great so far, the mind knows it's a plane and that it's flying towards you, like D4th says it's trying to jump out of the print!


Well done so far Len!

[Aceyone]

Looking great

[ActionArt]

Finally, an update on this one. Progress isn't too fast since we are now in our 2 months of summer so we have to enjoy it every minute

I'm having a hard time deciding how much background smoke/fire/action is enough and how much is too much. Here's three different versions. Let me know what you think. Also any crits/comments/ideas about the rest of this image is most welcome of course.

I'll post high res ones later. Thanks!

[Dan4th]

This is a Tough Call...........

I'll wait for the high-rez, but just a
quick glance tells me #2, however I
have always thought the bigger the
explosion the better

Of course, you do NOT WANT to
detract from the page-leaping
phenomenon

That's your trump card here......

Danf.

[ActionArt]

That is the tough part. I like the fire in #2 the best as well, just don't want to completely distract from the Spitfire itself but I think it's OK. The grass out front is a bit bright, I think I'll darken that a bit to make the Spitfire stand out more.

[Dan4th]

NO!

The grass is fine as is, I think......

It's more of a contrast lighter than darker.......

Danf.

[Jigsaw]

Have to agree with D4th here. Number 2 for me as well and leave the grass alone (unless your gonna smoke it )

Looking good to me anyway

[ActionArt]

Thanks! Here's a couple higher-res links.

http://www.actionart.ca/ForumPics/DonT3a.jpg

http://www.actionart.ca/ForumPics/DonT3b.jpg

[Dan4th]

Not to inflate your ego or anything,
but this is definitely your Best Yet

Please consider your back patted

Danf.

[ActionArt]

Thanks Dan

With all these projects, it seems I reach a point where I've looked at it too much and I start to wonder, is this any good or am I just making a mess. Sometimes I have to leave it for a few weeks and come back and take a fresh look.

Don, the pilot is such a great guy I wanted to make sure I did the best I could for him. He's going to be receiving the "Order of Canada" award this year! Couldn't happen to a better guy.

I'll do a test print shortly and go see what he thinks. I never know what to expect from these guys, they can be pretty tough critics! I'll cross my fingers and off I go...

Cheers!

[Xplumberlives]

Nice work Len, I love the pilots face!

[ActionArt]

Thanks! I just heard back from the pilot and he's very happy and no changes so that's a relief! He likes the middle one (maximum smoke and fire) so the middle one it is. I still have some touch ups to do and someone pointed out that black is not the color of choice for most dirt in France so I have to change the color of the dirt in the field. D'oh! Should have thought of that sooner!

[Xplumberlives]

Perhaps its the alluvial silt at the bed of a wide river valley!

[MOD]

Yes where was this action AA? Is it well documented?

BTW I agree with the Yank: This is perhaps your best.

ibw

[ActionArt]

Thanks Mod, that's great to hear! It is documented. It was in his log book and was the first of 15 for him. I'm going to have to check exactly where it was. Will get back to you on that...

[Aceyone]

Cracking stuff,well done

[ActionArt]

Thanks, here's the latest. I think it's pretty close to done now. I'm supposed to take a print to the pilot this weekend. Thanks to everyone for all the help

I'll post more details on the event shortly.



And a higher-res here:

http://www.actionart.ca/ForumPics/DonT4b.jpg

[Jigsaw]

I'm certain he will LOVE it, I know I do. Nice one mate

[Dan4th]

I would bet Steven Spielberg would Love
to have a print on one of his many walls

It has a real action/adventure flavor to it --
plus being so accurate from a historic perspective....

I just think it's Superb

Great Stuff!

Danf.

[ActionArt]

Thanks guys!

I don't want to promise anything yet but I'm working on the possibility of doing a Komet next. I found a pilot that might be willing...I think that would be unique. That must have been one hell of a ride!