Jasta 30 Albatrosses

[RussellSmith]

I just finished not 1, but 2 pencil studies for an upcoming project featuring Albatrosses of Jasta 30. This is version 1...
 

 
...and this is version 2. I prefer this one, but I'll let the customer decide which he likes best.
 

[GHE]

Hello Russel !

Klasse Bilder !!

See topic ANNOUNCEMENT OF RICHTHOFEN'S DEATH for some personal effects of the painter Franz Marc .

viele Grüße, Gunther

[pozarart]

It will be a pretty painting! Second version seems to me a much better

[RussellSmith]

I just realized I never posted an update on this. 

I finhsed the color study last week:

Color study for Jasta 30 Hunting Party
oil on linen on masonite
8.5" x 11"


And today I finished the grisaille layer on the actual painting. This stage is painted using only Raw Umber and white. Although it is executed relatively quickly and loosely, my goal here is is to be as accurate as possible with my values. More so even than establishing the correct colors, getting value relationships correct is critical, or else the painting will not be convincing. Establishing correct tonal relationships in a monochromatic layer like this helps me to give independent attention to both value, and later on, color without having to consider both at the same time.
 

[GAJouette]

  Russell,
That's outstanding artwork my old friend. As alway's your works are the absolute best.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[pepperman42]

Thanks for explaining the process. Great composition. Im looking forward to the next step.

Steve

[LindsayT]

I really enjoy the updates. Thanks for posting.

Lindsay

[lcarroll]

Russell, 

Like all of your work I really like this one. Don't know how I missed it earlier; I agree with your choice of #2, it has a feeling of height and movement about it. I believe the more definition in the clouds adds to the "depth" of the scene if that makes sense.
    "Hunting Party is very appropriate; they look all business and mean, not unlike a school of sharks. Awesome mood you've created here.
Cheers, and Thanks for sharing this.
Lance

[RussellSmith]

I made some more progress on this one this week by adding color. I managed to get some really nice effects in this layer, but there is still a little more refinement to be done. I'll tackle that next week.

[GAJouette]

 Russell,
Outstanding update my old friend. Love how you have the Cross reflecting on the tailplane,excellent.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

[ggl1269]

stunning work......really love it.

[pepperman42]

Wonderful update. I really enjoy the stages involved with your art.

Steve

[lcarroll]

Beautiful, thanks for including us Russell!
Cheers,
Lance

[RussellSmith]

Jasta 30 Hunting Party
This non-commissioned painting features the Albatros DVs of Lt Otto Fuchs (foreground), Lt Kurt Katzenstein (middle), and Oblt Hans Bethge (top).

I used the WNW Albatros kits for my lighting studies.

17" x 22"
oil on linen

[Epeeman]

Russell,

What brilliant work -  I particularly like the sky scene which looks real to me.  I wish I had your artist skills!

Regards

Dave