[Lindy]

Here's the first one of the series for commissions. I'm struggling a bit with this one simply with the background. As you can see the plane is coming up through a thunder head - does this work or not and should I paint or not.

Comments please!

Thanks
Linda

[squbrigg]

A suggestion on the clouds ...... the detail makes them look more like terrain below, lighten the detail a bit and make the plane stand out more. Some color in the clouds might be helpful, shades of grey and white. Painting the plane will definately help make it stand out. But first, mute the clouds. Just an opinion, so take it for what it's worth, I'm no expert.

Bob

[Claude]

TA-4F (or E??)...Nice burning!

Claude

[Pyrographer]

I partially have to agree with Bob. The clouds do look more like terrain than clouds. If you can possibly find some photos of clouds it might help you make them more lifelike. I'm not one to use color so I always shy away from recommending that over trying to create the illusion with shading.

Nedra

[jax]

[quote=Lindy]Here's the first one of the series for commissions. I'm struggling a bit with this one simply with the background. As you can see the plane is coming up through a thunder head - does this work or not and should I paint or not.

Comment: Eliminate the clouds in the upper left to show the clear sky and add a wisp of clouds under the lower tail section indicating the exit.

Thunderhead clouds are more puffy and are rounder at the top and are more or less dark, the silver plane coming out of the dark cloud in the foreground would make a good contrast.

Jax.

[Lindy]

Thanks everyone, those clouds really are the part that's bugging me. So I've decided to paint to get the colour I need to bring it all into perspective (sorry Nedra).

Claude - It's actually an A-4 Skyhawk, this particular one is was used as a trainer and my friend's son was the instructor so it was his plane. The colour on this plane is red & white which I'll do in the painting.

As always I really appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. Once I've finished the paint job I'll post the finished product.


Linda

[Pyrographer]

Originally Posted by Lindy

Thanks everyone, those clouds really are the part that's bugging me. So I've decided to paint to get the colour I need to bring it all into perspective (sorry Nedra).

Claude - It's actually an A-4 Skyhawk, this particular one is was used as a trainer and my friend's son was the instructor so it was his plane. The colour on this plane is red & white which I'll do in the painting.

As always I really appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. Once I've finished the paint job I'll post the finished product.


Linda

Hi Linda

oh, please don't think I am offended about using color. It's just my personal preference not to use color in burnings but everyone has their preference.

I'm anxious to see how it turns out.

Nedra

[Claude]

Originally Posted by Lindy

...Claude - It's actually an A-4 Skyhawk, this particular one is was used as a trainer and my friend's son was the instructor so it was his plane. The colour on this plane is red & white which I'll do in the painting.
...Linda

Just curious as to which one you were showing. I was on the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) back in 1966-1968. On a tour in Viet Nam waters in 1966 we had A-4C Skyhawks, and then in 1967, we had squadrons of A-4E Skyhawks. The trainer for the A-4C was still the A-4B, but the E version had the TA-4F for it's trainer. All the trainers were painted red and white, so the students would have a better chance of seeing someone and not running into them. Thanks for the memory jog!

Claude

[Lindy]

Hi Claude,

Now that's information I didn't have - thanks! I don't know if it's an E or not although I'm going to assume it is since Ted is in his 40's. The plane in the burning is his actual plane and I used a photo of his plane on the ground here in Calgary to create the piece.

Nedra - Not to worry, I know your preference is unpainted and that was my plan origianlly because like you I prefer as natural a look as possible, but I find that sometimes the paint just adds something extra that I like. Your comments and critiques are always welcome.

Thanks
Linda

[AlArchie]

If yo need a reference for painting that cloud or one for another burn, here's one I just took.....BIG thunderheads moving through.

Al