Brokeneagle
Master at Arms
Hello M A'ers,This post will be a little different from the usual model stuff.
As a few of you are already aware, I like to paint and this is the most enjoyable aspect of modeling for me (I do enjoy building though so don't get the wrong idea).
I usually try to paint 1-2 landscapes a year, in between my models and my other hobbies (read too many)and recently have had the feeling for giving a military subject ago - still a landscape but with a WW2 subject.
I have a couple of ideas in mind, one being a U-Boat, the other the final scene in Europe - the Reichstag.
I went out and bought a really BIG canvas and decided to start on my Xmas Holidays. I paint with artists oils as I do with my models, however I have never tried a military painting before, so no guarantees on this one. I thought it might be fun to update a blog with my progress on this painting as it is a WW2 subject and for those who don't know how to go about a painting you may find the transformation from blank canvas to finished result quite different - especially as they look pretty crappy until the final touch is added (as with models) - it's all about layers.
[sub]I will place my disclaimer here as I do not know if this will work and could very well take 12 months to finish this.[/sub]
So here goes.......................
Step 1
Ruff sketch of the subject.
With my landscapes I usually begin with a ruff sketch that I then use to make my painting a little easier, but not always. This one is a little different from my past paintings, because of the subject and the size I need to pencil in a fair bit and use a ruler to get some straight lines. I am referencing a black and white picture of the Reichstag from one of my military books and scaling up using a few methods so as I get the scale spot on. With a geometric shape as a building, tank or plane you cannot guess as the people who appreciate these subjects immediately see the error in perspective, shape or detail. I use a number of tools such as a drawn grid over the original and scaled up,some areas transferred via lead imaging from tracing paper and free hand depending on the complexity.
Here you can see my basic lines and shadow marking - buildings are a lot easier than planes.
My usual landscapes are drawn totally free hand but these never involve a recognizable shape with straight edges.
As you can see the far right hand side has my first attempt at a Mk4. I scaled it incorrectly and had to rub it out. The paint will go over this anyway but I will have to add my second version over these lines - a bit 'messy' initially. I want the main subject vehicle to appear bigger in the foreground with the building as the backdrop.
Models are great subjects for reference and I will be taking photos of my Mk4 H model at the right angle with various lighting to use as my main reference. I can then apply a grid to it on my computer and scale that grid up to suit my canvas.
I have built my Mk7c uboat for the same purpose and will use this as the basis for a painting and diorama.
See you at the next stage.
Ian.
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