P-40 Pilots - Briefing Time

[kevjon]

Here is a pencil drawing I made on good quality paper about 10 years ago. It is based on a photo and was an exercise in following the technique of a pencil artist that I particularily like, Paul Calle who produced an artbook simply called "The Pencil" where he describes his technique.

I have also posted this before but for those that haven't seen it.

[stefanino]

WOW!
Congratulation Kevjon!!
THis is very good!!
You are really a very good artist and not only in 3d, also with the pencil...

Have you tried to use oil or water colors?

For me, you have given really a good feeling of the moment, breafing before the mission, all the pilot following what will be the mission...
And i love the pencil draws...

Congratulation!!

[kevjon]

Thanks Stefanino.

Over the years I have tried Oils (see my painting of the Supermarine Walrus in the 2D gallery.

I have also painted with acrylics, gouache and done colored pencil drawings. But haven't done any aviation or MM stuff with these mediums.

I am about to start to learn to paint digitally in 2d with Painter IX and a Wacom tablet as I can see enormous potential with this medium. No more sharpening pencils, mixing paints and waiting for colors to dry and mistakes can easily be deleted and try again. Really enjoying it so far.

[pete.cook]

Again, another fabulous picture that shows your 2D skills off to great effect Kevin. I hope you can transfer your pens and paper to screen to achieve the same standard. I have never managed to get to grips with using a tablet, but then again I can only just use a pen!

[Evan]

Yeah... really nice drawing Kevin!

[Baron]

Kevjon,

Really impressive work. Detail on the pilots is great. Did you use a picture as reference for that?

[kevjon]

Thanks Pete, Evan and Baron.

Baron
Yep, I used a photo. It was an exercise in a pencil drawing technique. I have made some amendments to the original photo to make a nicer composition (included more of the aircraft).

[digiartist]

Great stuff Kevin, very nice sketch :)
I was wondering which you prefer though? I'm interested as I come from quite an arty family, I love painting traditionally but have been swept up in 3d aviation art over the last 8 years or so. I do a lot of 2d concept art digitally for work and have just started a new 2d aviation piece so I would be interested in your thoughts on 2d versus 3d as you you have an obvious skill in both.

[kevjon]

Cheers digiartist.

I'm a bit nervous about answering this question as I'm afraid of opening up a can of worms amongst 3D artists.....but here goes.....and this is a personal point of view only.

When I look at the very best 3D aviation art and the very best 2D aviation art (Robert Taylor, Nicolas Trudgian to name a few), I definitely prefer the 2D aviation art. I'm not really fussed whether the 2D artist paints traditionally or digitally.

I am concerned about pursuing 3D further because doing scenes like Corsairs flying over Henderson field, Spitfires over the cliffs of Dover or Zeros taking off from the carrier Akagi is the type of aviation art I would like to be doing. I've come to realise over the past 18 months I've been doing 3D that these ideas are beyond my abilities, budget and free time in 3D but with a lot of practice I should be able to hopefully realise these ideas in 2D (although at a hobbyist artists level which is where I sit).

I'd be most interested to see your 2d aviation piece when your finished and if you wish to show it.

[digiartist]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kevin, I think I'm probably of a similar mindset. Both medium's have a lot of merits but I think my own preference is for a more painterly style over a photorealistic style.
Recently I've found myself painting more and more into my renders. So much so that depending on how happy I am with the current 2d painting I'm working on I might move into 2d exclusively. I'll happily post it up when it's complete unless it's a straight to recycle bin job ;)

[kevjon]

Your recent 3D work really borders on photo realistic and painterly. If you do decide to head down the 2d path you should'nt have much trouble making the transition.

I know what you mean about the recycle bin, my first attempt is heading that way but the good thing about working digitally is that it can continually be reworked and I can use it to try out different techniques and ideas and then just scrap the layer if it didn't work.

[Cirric]

Kev - This is a nice peice! I like the line-work (Nice use of line-weight!)- it has a good close feel to it.

[kevjon]

Cheers Cirric, I really enjoyed working on the piece at the time.

[Spinner]

I think I'm familiar with the photo you based your drawing on, Kev. I like the direction you moved with it.

[kevjon]

The original picture is in P40 In-Action by Squadron Signal.

[ehangar]

A beautiful piece of work, worthy of most established aviation artists!

[kiwi123]

You guys are scaring me, a couple of really good 3d artists dropping what they are good at....

[kevjon]

cheers ehanger, glad you like it.

Kiwi, not dropping 3D just doing some 2D in between.

[Spinner]

You guys are scaring me, a couple of really good 3d artists dropping what they are good at....

I agree.
Still, a pencil and pad don't need a render farm big enough to handle SETI. So I can understand the attraction.

[vf-1msx]

wow
thats good

[jiverson]

Wow! Nice pencil work Kevin!
I share some of your thoughts about 2d/3d art. But I think you're in a great position to use the best of both worlds. For instance, use 3d to do the hard stuff like getting perspective and placement of scene details just right, then go to 2d for the final painting.

I come from a traditional media background and much of the things I've learned in 3d such as lighting and material properties have given me a new level of understanding and an even better "eye" for things. So, there's no reason to ditch 3d for 2d, just use the strong points of each to adapt to your style.
-Jamie

[kevjon]

Thanks Jamie.

Totally agree with you about the 2D/3D thing. I'm still working on some 3D work at the moment and taking breaks to do become more proficient at 2D also. The two can be combined quite nicely in finished pieces.