If It Looks Like a Duck......

[falcon012]

Hello all. Ronnie (aka Skyraider3D) invited me to join this forum. I have been having a look around and I am in awe of all the excellent artwork here. Absolutely stunning work! I am especially humbled by all the super-detailed 3D work.

I do 2D paintings using primarily Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop. My latest work depicts a Grumman J2F Duck of Marine Squadrn VMS-3, circa 1940. The unit was based in the Virgin Islands and used the Duck for "Neutrality Patrol" duties prior to the entry of the US into WWII.

I apologize in advance if this is double posted. My first try didn't seem to go through.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuck16x24700-1.jpg

[Sphynx]

Hi Falcon - yes, this is a double post, but only because the first post of any new member needs to be authorised by a moderator - it's and anti-spam thing. I'll remove the other one.

Welcome onboard!

[falcon012]

Thanks for the welcome Sphynx. Yea, I caught that brief message after the second post. Thanks for catching it and removing the first one.

[kevjon]

Excellent composition and painting. The background is really well done too, rather than just suggested. Love the subject, very colorful.

I'd be interested to know what size (in pixels) you do your painting at ?
Last one I did I struggled to get enough detail into certain areas due to lack of pixels.

[falcon012]

Thanks kevjon. I usually paint my pieces at a minimum 300 dpi resolution, 4800 x 7200 pixels (16" x 24").

[rodrigomierh]

awesome painting and scene.
would you post a bigger image? i need a new background :D

[zarroun]

wow, this looks beautiful! Great painting work. Did you paint the background from scratch or is it composited together?

[Hitori Kyo]

great work falcon and welcome to the site!

- Hitori kyo

[kiwi123]

Very very nice ! A warm welcome to MilMesh.

Do you have any other pieces or a website that we can admire ?

[falcon012]

Thanks for the comments gents. Zarroun, I use elements from various photos to build my composition. Kiwi, I've added a link to my website in my signature.

[Skyraider3D]

Hi Mark, good to see you've joined. Welcome to MilMesh!

This is an awesome piece. Very colourful indeed and I just love the subject.

My only crit would be to darken the shadows on the flight crew a bit. They look strangely illuminated now.

Top job! Looking forward to your next one. We have a work-in-progress section on the forum too, so don't wait till it's finished ;)

[falcon012]

I adjusted the shadows/lighting on the crew per your suggestion Ronnie.

I'm attaching a larger image just for you rodrigo. I am flattered you would want to use it for your background.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuck16x24Print800.jpg

[Martocticvs]

Fabulous work! Welcome to Military Meshes.... and welcome to the header!

[falcon012]

Wow! I'm really flattered. Thanks for the very warm welcome!

[cobra6]

very nice technique you have for "drawing" the scene. I presume you use a tablet? :)

Cobra 6

[mrys]

Just fantastic! Very deserved header! Congrats!

[timmcmurdo]

One of my favorite planes. I think 30's era designs have a really great look and feel to them. Very well done and thank you for sharing this with us.

[falcon012]

Thanks for the compliments guys. It is really refreshing to find a place that embraces digital work. There are so many other traditional art forums where digital is generally looked down upon.

In answer to your question Cobra, yes I do use a tablet; just a simple Wacom Graphire 4x5. I just bought it last July when I was enlightened to the wonderful capablilities of digital. Up until then I was working with traditional media. I'm pretty much digital exclusively now - crossed over to the dark side as one friend puts it;).

[roshent]

Great image ! Love the vivid colors you've used. And thanks for posting a larger image, I'm using it as a desktop background as well. Which is a compliment in itself, since I've used the last one for over a year!

[Galgot]

very nice ! :eek: I like the lighting alot... Cool. great subject too, of course reminds me "Murphy's war" with P.O'toole and Noiret... love that film.

[cobra6]

In answer to your question Cobra, yes I do use a tablet; just a simple Wacom Graphire 4x5. I just bought it last July when I was enlightened to the wonderful capablilities of digital. Up until then I was working with traditional media. I'm pretty much digital exclusively now - crossed over to the dark side as one friend puts it;).

Yup pencil is better :P

My GF has a wacom too and it worked pretty fine, maybe I will buy one too when I have more money left over :)

Cobra 6

[Capt.FlushGarden]

Beauuuuutiful! welcome, finally nice to se some more 2D people, I've beento your website before, I like the strong sunlight in your images, they give a good feeling of crisp hi altitude air :)

did you use Descriptive geometry on that one or have you eyeballed the perspective? very solid indeed! post detail shots if you want!

Cheers

John

Keep on posting!

[Gotardo]

Very nice indeed.
It's good to see a Duck plane. It's not too "used" lately on drawings and renders, but for me it's a nice bird.
Cool website, i like that XB-70 picture. :)

[falcon012]

Thanks for the compliments fellas. John, here are some detail shots for you. Not as spectacular close up as your Stormgroup Dahl or P-51 I'm afraid. My style is somewhat loose. Generally, I put enough detail I think the viewer's eye will pick up in a 16" x 24" print such as the crewman's face or panel lines which are more or less just suggestions of these features. I hope these are suitable; I'm a little new at cropping detail shots - nobody really asked before. To achieve the perspective I was after, I used a photo as a guide on this piece.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuckDetailTopWingandNose.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuckDetailTail.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuckDetailStarboard.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuckDetailShore.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/GrummanDuckDetailMGandLowerWing.jpg

[digiartist]

beautiful work Falcon012, I love the fact that your style is so loose when in close up. Congrats on the header too.

[kevjon]

After I finish my current 3D model you and CFG have inspired me to get on with my next attempt at digital painting. Thanks for the info about the size you paint at, I'll see if my computer can handle it. The closeups of your image are really educational for me, I'm learning a lot just looking at them.

[WonderWheeler]

Excellent work, with a very painterly-like quality. Interesting quality of military, bright colors, pleasent location, adventure.

[falcon012]

Thank you very much gentlemen for your compliments. I must say I am surprise the Duck has been received so well. I didn't think it would draw much attention considering the airplane is not as glamorous as the fighters and bombers of her day. Thanks once again for the very warm welcome and the header!

[Capt.FlushGarden]

Sweet, it is difficult to use photos as base and to get it to "match" and look painterly, you certainly know how to do it, when it comes to detail it is of course best to nudge the image up where u want the eye to go, the zoom ins look sweet! keep it up!

J:)

[fighterace2688]

..shoot it down lol, beautiful work mate!

[allfiredup]

WOW :eek: I really love this piece. This is one I'd love to hang in my office!

Superb job! It's a great subject, and your colors are well placed!