P-51 Bluenoses of the 352nd FG

[falcon012]

Two Bluenoses of the 352nd FG bouncing a couple of BF-109s. This came about while working up some ideas recently for a client. I'm thinking of calling this one "Bluenose Bounce" or "Blunoses Bounce Two". Maybe one of you gents has a better title.

16" x 24", 300 dpi
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/P-51MustangBluenoseBounce116x24850.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/P-51MustangBluenoseBounce116x24Deta.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/P-51MustangBluenoseBounce116x24D-1.jpg

[kiwi123]

Hi Mark,

Nice composition, although I think it would work better for the speed of the piece if the two in the background would be angled more horizontally, as they now collide with the front two. Shape-wise there are quite a few errors, which I guess are mainly due to perspective. A clear example of this are the top of the tail of the p51 as well as the spinner.

You chose some very interesting colours for the background by the way, I like that !

[kevjon]

Pretty cool image Mark. There are some accuracy and shape issues with your P51 but I like this image a lot. Great sense of speed, power and action.

[Skyraider3D]

Hmmm this one doesn't really work for me, I'm afraid. The composition is very stiff and the main trouble I find with the direction of where the 109 is going, as suggested by the flames. The angle is very odd, it alomost looks as if the 109 has thrust vectoring and flies upwards.

Also the 109 appears to be a mid-war F-model, by both shape and markings. Any 109s encountered by D-model Mustangs would have been G-6s or later - more likely G-10/14 and K-4.

The Mustang has some issues too, one of them being the D-Day stripes which look out of place against a snowcovered scenery. In most cases these stripes were removed long before the winter of 44/45.

On the upside I do like the low cloud deck and the metallic looks of (most of) the Mustang.

[falcon012]

Hmmm, I thought I was painting a G-10. Maybe my reference is incorrect. I don't believe I have painted any snow.

As far as the Mustang, it matches up well with my main photo reference. When I do an overlay it shows the wings to be a slight bit off. The tail is a bit off too as I was going for the shorter tail and my reference had a long one. With the exception of the tail, the differences are very minor - not enough to ruin the piece by any means. The fuselage, including the nose/spinner are dead-on. Maybe the reference photo is distorted slightly due to lens effect - I'm not sure.

Thanks gents for taking the time to give me feedback. I'll have to do a better and more thourough job next time.

[Skyraider3D]

I thought I was painting a G-10It does indeed appear to have the wooden tail of the later G-models. But it seems to have the cowling gun blisters of the G-6/14 models. What instantly makes it look like an F is the thin-framed windshield and yellow panels are typical for a mid-war canal front machine (F-model). I know the windshield may be a subtle difference, but it very much defines the character of a plane. MilMesh veterans will know the 109 windshield is a bit of a special issue with me! :lol:

[Zorin]

May I add that the effect of color turbidity(in this case towards blue) doesn't apply in your perspective or at least only in a very, very subtle way, because it should only appear around the horizon and needs a clear blue sky so an interaction between the colors can take place.

Oh and next time let the Axis have the upper hand. Gets a bit boring to see burning 109s and shiny Stangs. ;)

[falcon012]

Thanks to everyone for your constructive criticism. I appreciate your honest appraisals; they will help me to become a better artist. Perhaps I rushed into this piece without thouroughly researching it however, I should have qualified the work somewhat by stating this piece started as a design for the back of a t-shirt so I was going for big drama and not neccesarily a prototypical scene - something to grab the eye. (Sorry Zorin, the client dictates that the Mustang comes out on top; it sells better than one going down in flames :).) I've come to the reluctant conclusion as a work of fine aviation art the peice fails miserably; lesson learned.

In an attempt to try to salvage the work somewhat I have given it one last slight workover however, I have a feeling I'm trying to plug leaks in the Titanic. In response to the feedback I've received here and on other forums I have attempted to rework the following areas a bit: Mustang tail, BF-109 attitude more in line with smoke trail, add a bit more of background color to underside of Mustang. As for the rest I guess I'll be able to live with it. Based on the feedback I'm receiving, it would take almost a complete repaint to completely correct the work and I'm not up to it on this one.

So.........I'll tuck my tail between my legs and get back to the drawing board (or Wacom tablet as the case may be). It's good to be shot down once in awhile - keeps one humble.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/P-51MustangBluenoseBounce316x24700.jpg

[Skyraider3D]

The attitude of the 109 is much better now and the Mustang's tail looks less twisted. This immediately improves the overall image by a good bit.
Good to see you're a real sport in taking critisism. It's not an easy thing to do, but it does help one improve. I'm looking forward to your next piece Mark!



PS. Zorin you do know Germany lost the war and history is written by the victors :p :p :p ;) ;) ;) :lol:

[kiwi123]

Yes, good sport !

[falcon012]

At the risk of beating a dead horse I decided to give it one last go. Thanks to all for your helpful suggestions. I've heeded most of them and I think it improves the image greatly. For some of the diehards, the Mustang will never be perfectly right. I can live with that. Thanks again and I'm finished with this one. I have to be. If I mess with it any longer I'll go nuts!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/P-51MustangBluenoseBounce416x248-1.jpg