Winter Engagement

**gray** · 25 October 2011, 04:48 PM

Hi Merv, nice improvements. Gary's right about distance. I usually add a bit of transparency and blur to the more distant aircraft. You want to de-saturate colours with distance.Props are an open debate on how to show them. I like to add a little bit of the prop blade. Skin texture of a plane can take hours and hours to complete. The other big one is light and shadows. I use simple 3D models as an aid to help with that. If you're not interested in creating your own there are lots of freebies to use. You want to show the contrast in colours. The last one is making sure you colour pallette is the same. Often doing the background first helps as you can then adjust your plane colours as you work. I think you're off to a flying start.

**ontos** · 25 October 2011, 11:18 PM

Thanks so much for the help Gary & Gray, I will make the changes soon. I have an idea I want to do using the C-47.

**ontos** · 04 November 2011, 10:54 PM

I did some rework on the drawing, redid the background and some other alterations. I would like any suggestions on the changes and or advice. Thanks

**Rik** · 05 November 2011, 12:13 AM

That really looks great, Merv.
The scene is tremendous. Very dramatic.

The plane at the front - without looking at some photos, would the propeller disk not be more visible?
I'm not saying I'm right. It's just an observation.

**gray** · 05 November 2011, 06:45 PM

Merv, I like your improved landscape. I would also add more shadow on the planes to show contrast. I've posted an example, but you will have to work it out for the light direction in your drawing. You can use your landscape shadows as a guide. I agree with Rik on the prop. I would also just add a bit of prop showing to define it more. All your improvements are looking good.

**pauland** · 05 November 2011, 06:50 PM

Good improvement - the background is so much better.

**A Wrigley** · 07 November 2011, 09:54 PM

Flames and smoke on crashing plane are absolutely brilliant well done ontos.

**ontos** · 07 November 2011, 11:18 PM

Thanks Wrigley, Gray, Rik and pauland for your kind comments and all the great help I am receiving in making my aircraft art better and more presentable. I will make the changes in the highlights and shadows soon, thanks.