W.A.S.P Portrait Update

So I was not able to finish the painting of the Women's Airforce Service Pilot (W.A.S.P) in time for the airshow, but I took it anyway. The really exciting thing was that my table at the Airshow was actually right NEXT to two actually WASPs, and was able to show them the painting as it was, unfinished. They couldn't see very well and their hearing was going pretty bad, but they were very honored and appreciative of my sentiments. They signed pictures for many people that came up to the tent, which gave me a little bit of traffic as well.

Since I haven't finished the painting yet, I thought I'd share a couple of process shots to keep everybody interested in what I'm doing and show a little bit of a step-by-step.

So since you've already seen the digital composite, you've got a basic idea of what the finished image will be like. I washed over the drawing with a very diluted burnt umber to just get a whole quick layer over the bare canvas with the drawing over it.



From there I used a rub technique to pull out some highlights, and then went in again with the burnt umber to lay in my darker values and start giving the painting some shape. This is called the underpainting. It allows me to show my basic value and creates a unified base for the rest of the paint to sit on top of.



Now that I have my underpainting down, I can start mixing my palette and getting some color in there. It's important for me to start with the background so that I'm essentially painting in layers from background to foreground. I start with the sky and then work my way down the airplane, which is a Fairchild PT-19. The PT-19 was the plane that the army used to train its pilots during WWII.



The final stage will be, of course to render the girl, and then last but most important, the Fifi logo on her jacket, which is the emblem created by Walt Disney that the WASPs used.

More to come!

COLORADO SPORT AVIATION AIRSHOW Aug. 28-29 2010

AUGUST 28th & 29th, 2010 starting at 8:00am.
Jefferson County Airport (Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport)
11755 Airport Way
Broomfield, CO 80021

I will be doing Caricatures as well as displaying some of my artwork on both days. I'm working on a special painting of a WWII W.A.S.P. (Women's Airforce Service Pilot).

Come by to get a coupon to recieve $20 off any portrait painted in oils.

Thrilling Aerobatics, Afterburners and Pyrotechniques will all be a part of the 2010 Colorado Sport International Air Show. Join Us on Saturday and Sunday for the best and only airshow on the Front Range this summer. Come on Saturday and you will experience the bonus "Twilight Airshow" and CAF's Red, White & Loud Tour concert starring Aaron Tipp.

Saturday Only
5:30 - 7:00 PM - Immediately following the Live Concert

Twilight Air Show Performers

The Evening Begins with our Warbird Spectacular,

See Yak-52's, Nanchang CJ6-A's a T-28, B-25, C-47, P-51, and Other warbirds flying as the show begins.

Then Don Nelson, Gary Rower and Dan Buchanan will perform in the setting sun.

We'll continue into twilight with an exclusive and spectacular performance by our US Military Demo Aircraft.

After the Twilight Air Show stick around for the Barnstormer's Ball.

And just before the evening comes to a close, watch and listen as Neal Darnell and the "Flash Fire" Jet Truck light up the night sky in preparation for the grand finale Fireworks Show

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFO AND MORE

The Wild One - painting for Chrome and Chroma 3

Apart from my motorcycle pin ups for Pinc Tacos, I wanted to do something that was completely original for the Chrome and Chroma 3 Motorcycle Art show. After I got back from Chicago, I spent a few days researching, sketching, and researching some more about what it was that I wanted to do that would speak to people. At first I was kind of stuck on the idea of making a painting with subtle references to Indian Motorcycles. I did a drawing of an American Indian making smoke signals that look like an Indian Chief Roadmaster. Then I drew a Bison Skull with the Indian logo. Then a couple of drawings of girls in leather jackets with Indian Motorcycle logos. Then I stepped back and realized that the drawings were nice, but ultimately uninspired and not terribly original, like I was just advertising for Indian. So I still wanted to have a painting with a classic feel so I starting looking to some of the things that inspired me to become a motorcyclist. One of those things was a 1953 black and white film called "The Wild One," starring Marlon Brando, about a motorcycle gang that comes in and shakes up a town. Then the leader, Marlon Brando, falls for the Sheriff's daughter and then things start falling apart. So, since I don't want to just remake a picture of Marlon Brando, I did a couple of sketches where I reversed the role and made Brando's character into a female. At first the sketches were overtly sexual with dynamic poses. But then I thought about the character and went with something that was more cool and collected. I wanted a girl that was attractive, tough, and methodical the way a gang leader should be. Here's a side-by-side of my sketch and the picture of Brando that I was working from.

Deuce is Wild Pin Up Final.

So I've finished "Deuce is Wild," and before the final touches, I was asked to switch the redhead with a blonde and to have them doing a burnout on top of that. Is it the safest thing to do? In reality, no. But since they're not real girls and it's not a real situation, it's ok. That's what fantasy art is for, right? Creating and actualizing imaginary and risky situations, like paintings of Greek gods and Jesus walking on water.

Deuces Wild update! Mid-Progress.

Don't know what else to say besides, ALMOST DONE! I'm very excited that I now have 7 followers in the blogging community. Thank you all, very much, for your continued support and interest in my work, it means everything to me. I will have this piece done by the end of this weekend so that I don't have to worry about it when I leave, next week, for Chicago and then Las Vegas. As soon as I get back, all of my time will be spent in preparation for the Chrome and Chroma 3: Motorcycle Art Exhibit at Uhl Studios. If you don't know the info, refer to an older post that I put up, all of the details are there. I've also been asked to show my work at Jay's Bar and Grill. The owner said he's tired of beer signs and bar mirrors, and he really likes my work and thought it would be nice to have it on his walls for everybody to see. So the months of July and August are all going to be about EXPOSURE!!!! Sweet! Okay, enough with my rambling, here's the pretty ladies.

Deuces Wild - New Pinc Tacos Pinup

I'm working on the next pinup for Pinc Tacos t-shirts. After this one, I believe they're going into full production with the 4 motorcycle pinups that I've done, including this one. I am confident enough with the drawing to be able to share it with you all. Everyone was pretty excited about Dyna Doll, the last motorcycle girl, but this one is going to take it another step. More complex bike with a more complex arrangement of figures. Since the bike is a Harley Davidson Softail Deuce, it's only right that I have two awesome girls instead of just one. This custom Deuce belongs to the client. One unexpected element popped up in the last week or so with a request from the client to put an 80-spoke wheel on the front of the bike instead of the 40-spoke that's currently on the actual bike. This pushed the project back a few days and will take a couple of days more once the painting and rendering phase gets around to that part of the bike. The benefit of this, though, is a much more dynamic front-end on the bike and another shiny thing to be able to look at, since the ends of the drag pipes are nearly covered by one of the girls. The girls themselves are subject to change, in the future, but the drawing of the bike is pretty much finalized, unless the client sees something he wants to change. So here's a process shot of the drawing. I'll try to keep them coming as the project rolls on. Also, here's a picture of the actual bike, so you can sort of get an idea of what I'm talking about with the spokes and the pipes.

Chrome & Chroma 3: Motorcycle Art Exhibit

July 30, 2010
Chrome & Chroma 3: Motorcycle Art Exhibit

Uhl Studios - 15801 West Colfax Ave.
Golden, CO 80401
(1/4 Mile West of I-70 on North side of Colfax)
Exhibit starts at 6 pm and goes til around Midnight.

You are invited to the 3rd Annual Chrome & Chroma
Motorcycle Art Exhibit at Uhl Studios presented by
American Throttle (www.americanthrottle.com).
Nine Artists Showing Different Styles of Motorcycle Art:
Christopher Manzanares will be showing his work along with David Uhl, Danial James, Michael Lichter, Ronnie Cramer, Patrick Glenn, Tom Pounders, Scott Jacobs, and Steve Schader.

Musical Guest Emilio Emilio is scheduled to play their
brand of Rock & Blues starting at around 7 pm.
Food and Drink will be served.

Donation at the door to help support "Art Reach".

Motorcycle Art including Paintings, Digital, Drawings, Photography and more • Food and Drink • Vendors (merchandise including Jewelry, Shirts, American Throttle games and more. And of course... Motorcycles (All bikes are welcome).