Hill of Angels '67-'68

[OZ]

Was commissioned by my Marine Corps buddy, Rob to paint a scene for one of his friends, for a gift. My reference photos are ( FOR REFERENCE ONLY)!


My reference photo is on page 30. The lightweight O-1E Bird Dog Marine Variant. They were used extensively, in Vietnam, to call in Air and Artillery strikes.
 I will read the book and get some ideas for the composition. He said " when they flew over, we had a short break from being shot at for a few minutes".




It was nice to spend an hour at lunch, on Veterans Day, remembering about the old days and how lucky we are to still be alive, when so many aren't.

Be patient. This will take a little time, but I just wanted to share this with my fellow painters.

Thanks for following along.
OZ

[Jcon]

Wow great project where you get a lot of history!!! Love it!!!

[OZ]

Yes. Lots of opportunity here for me to walk a mile in someone else's shoes and hopefully capture it in paint.

[Jcon]

You will do it great justice Bruce!!!

[OZ]

I sure hope so. He deserves the Honor.

[OZ]

Saw and talked to Rob, today at lunch and came up with a few more ideas for this painting. Have one sketch so far, but want to try another composition, maybe this week end, now that there is a place cleared off my desk, big enough to work.

[OZ]

[Jcon]

Very cool!!!

[OZ]

Thanks Joe.
Using the reference photo, I sketched a composition onto some Canson XL Sketch pad, then enlarged it to 163%.



I then used my light table to trace it onto a sheet of Arches 10 x 14, 300 LB. cold pressed paper.







Used my Masking Fine Line applicator to lay down highlights along the leading edge of the wings, canopy and other glints of white.

[OZ]

After the masking dries, I'll mount the paper onto a backing board and tape the edges. Because this is 300 lb. paper, I won't bother to stretch it first. Will also start laying out my colors for the pallet, then start the painting process.

[Jcon]

Very cool seeing how you lay it out!!!

[OZ]

Started with the sky, Phthalo Blue, Cobalt Teal and New Gamboge, blending down into the horizon of the hill.

Dried and apply first coat of German Greenish Raw Umber and Sienna on the O-1E (L 19).

[Jcon]

Base coats are bringing it to life slow but sure!!!

[OZ]

With black and white reference photos, all you have to go by are values. The colors are the hard part, at least for me anyway.

[OZ]

Working on the background Hill and Soldiers today. Here are some of the colors.