Corsair Takeoff

[falcon012]

Well I'm back from holiday and back to work. This is my depiction of a Corsair from VF-17 "Jolly Rogers" in the markings of Lt Cdr. Roger Hedrick. This was another commission for the same client I've been doing work for over the past few months. He asked for a scene depicting the airplane taking off from a Marston runway with the ocean worked into the scene somehow. 20" x 24", 300 dpi

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/F4UCorsairKarvon20x24b700.jpg

[Hitori Kyo]

There needs to be dust kicked up by the plane, also there should be a shadow on the ground? (hard to see where your sun is)

- Hitori Kyo

[falcon012]

Thanks for reminding me Hitori. I had intended to place ashadow in there and forgot to do it :).

[Skyraider3D]

Overall it's a nice image, but the perspective seems a bit off in places. Also the landing gear needs to be extended; you have it compressed now, as if it were on the ground. I am not sure about the position of the shadow (the plane seems a bit back lit). The plane is rather dark too and appears to be under overcast. It maybe needs to be brightened up a bit (or the shadow made fainter)? Addition of some dust on the far left of the image would be nice indeed and maybe lower the flaps into take-off position as well.
Sorry for the numerous comments, bit I feel it has potential and can be improved.

[Deetz]

Looking good! I agree with adding the dust and flaps, maybe even add some black streaks to the gun ports?

Deetz

[falcon012]

Thanks Ronnie and Deetz for the suggestions. I reworked the landing gear to show decompression. As far as flaps, when researching the piece, I looked at a couple of videos of Corsairs taking off and I didn't see any noticable use of flaps alhough I have also seen some with flaps slightly extended. I thought about adding some dust after all it is a very sandy location but opted to leave it out just for clarity sake - artsist choice :).

I wasn't sure about the gun streaks. I figured it was just taking off and hadn't fired the guns yet on this mission. I reasoned the bird might have been cleaned a bit between missions removing the gun streaks. I don't know, would there still be streaking?

I will probably be doing a version with the Corsair landing for myself and will definately be adding full flaps and gun streaks.

[Skyraider3D]

You are right, there shouldn't be any streaks around the guns before a mission. In fact you could add white tape over the gunports as was often done to keep the coral sand out. Guns and gunports where always serviced well after a flight to prevent jamming on the next mission.

Good job on the gear extension, looks fine now.

[Deetz]

[QUOTE=falcon012;23873]I wasn't sure about the gun streaks. I figured it was just taking off and hadn't fired the guns yet on this mission. I reasoned the bird might have been cleaned a bit between missions removing the gun streaks. I don't know, would there still be streaking?QUOTE]

Good point! :)

Deetz

[falcon012]

Decided to take the advice and add a little dust. I tried to keep it minimal so the background details would still be visible. I also added a few seagulls out over the ocean for fun.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/F4UCorsairKarvon20x24d700.jpg

[kevjon]

A really beauty, love it. Really nicely painted.

The additions and corrections you've made have been worth it...just adds a bit more movement and life which I think helps.

[falcon012]

Thanks Kevin.

[SKP]

That's pretty good but for some reason it looks to me more that it's about to land than it's taking off. I know it's passing the end of the strip but I think it's something to do with the attitude of the aircraft.

Nice work though.

SKP

[kiwi123]

Very nicely done falcon012 ! Maybe you've overdone the dust a bit, should be more to the left and less closer to the aircraft as it is no longer in close contact with the ground ?

[Galgot]

Nice one ! Reminds me a Heller model box-art by Olivereau...
One thing , i remember i saw a picture showing the guns ports being sealed with tape (red or tan colour ?...) , like british Spits or Hurris. Think this was especially done on dusty islands like that... Just an idea.

[falcon012]

This version will be for me to offer as prints.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o80/cbscharlotte012/F4UCorsairPrint20x24Karvon1700a.jpg

[krazycolin]

this one has the same problem as the Palm tree.....

the shadow over the water isn't working... it needs to be a bit less dark than the shadow on the ground. as well, though i may be wrong about this, i was under the impression that the cowl flaps would only be open on the ground. Ronnie?

KC

[falcon012]

Two videos of Corsairs taking off. Cowl flaps open, no wing flaps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM6Hd3AUHew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AujYLGPw-8&mode=related&search=

Shadows can vary quite a bit over water (and land for that matter); sometimes they appear light and sometimes dark. I guess it all depends on various factors; atmospheric conditions, viewing angle, water clarity and depth just to mention a few. But in this case you're probably right being the shadow is half in and half out of the water. I may end up changing it anyway; I'm not entirely happy with it's placement straddling land and water.

[Skyraider3D]

i was under the impression that the cowl flaps would only be open on the ground. Ronnie?Cowl flaps are open during taxi and take off and gradually closed during climb, closed during cruise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6j-1EyouN0

[Deetz]

Excellent work Falcon, I really like the feel of the scene.

[digiartist]

Nice work Mark, I would be interested in knowing how you accomplish your artwork.....do you use a 3d model for your composition and then paint over it or do you just draw from scratch?

[falcon012]

Thanks Gareth for the compliment and thanks for asking about my method. I will usually build my composition using elements from numerous photographs. I then paint my scene primarily using Corel Painter. I use the acrylics, oils and airbrushes mainly and the blending tool to smooth things out. I add detail such as highlights, weathering, markings and panel lines in Photoshop and generally work them over in Painter. I like Painter because the brush mechanics and the way they lay down "paint" is closer to the traditional media than Photoshop. The traditional media I am used to for my color work is oil paint and I paint digitally much the same way I would if I were painting in oils.

[digiartist]

Thanks for the reply Mark, it's nice to hear about other people's techniques.