Into the evening

Hour and a half in the Studio at my place for both of us tonight.
I guess the good news today that our pics were being sold through an art shop now prompted an unusual burst of activity.
Good progress on both pictures but Warwick lamented leaving his blues and browns and greys behind..
That car is proving very subtle and tedious but should be very rewarding once completed.

The planes are coming along but need a tad more darkness.. Neither photo is super good but gives some idea.

Grilled breakfast...

I spent an hour this morning re-shaping the Aston's grille and finishing the bumpers. I'm beginning to imagine colours in the highly reflective chrome that I'm sure are just transient - there one moment, gone when I look again. Argh! The colour that Brett alludes to is a light pinkish fuschia maybe magenta made by Texta - available in NZ as part of a set but not sold singly. I purchased a couple of Prisma blenders and a greyed Lavender off the internet this morning. My poor ol' eyes just aren't coping, what with imaginary shades and strobing grilles. And to think I thought the DB5 would be 'easy' - just a few shades of grey (well, Champagne Silver, actually). My only consolation is that Brett is having similar troubles with the SE5As - too many colours.

The grills... the grills!!

so sayeth Warwick after another 2 hr marathon round my place this evening.

The aston Martin grill is an opticalillusion re being straight... its NOT!
andb the colours are very subtle and not to be given to biting one..

The SE5a was pretty tricky too... layers upon layers of colour..

But we both agreed the new Prismacolor blender pencil was very very good!

and Warwick now needs to find a special texta purple/red/brown pencil thats un-named...heh

chocks away

The SE5as are coming on slowly as its been a busy week with the IPMS meeting, going out to a mates to check some d/loads and dealing with 1/43rd Trademe car sales...
no trademe sales but Ive taken advantage of an ebay offer for free auction listings over Christmas New Year and had a couple of sales there... woohoo..

heres the progress on the planes.

Found a few good colour shots of the Mk1 PDL Mustang and Moffats Monza so that electric blue muzzie might be next.... finally!

A new start

After a 2 week hiatus, Brett & I finally met over coffee & biscuits. Grotty day out - circulating air with a high moisture content, but at least it wasn't horizontal. Oh, and we did some drawing. Brett continued his flock of SE5As ...

... whilst I returned ET to the pending file and started... a car! Well, if Brett can draw WWI stringbags I can attempt a car, albeit a road car. The astute amongst you will recognise the numberplate - James Bond's gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5:

Subject Swap

sooo... 2 hours at Warwicks after 2 weeks absence..
and guess what, Im doing a plane and he's doing a car!!!

As I said before Im into a WW1 trio of Se5a's.. based on a montage of photos I took at the last Hood aerodrome air show...

Its coming along nicely I think.

Ill let Warwick tell you about his car...

Mustang Commission

Finally completed and to the clients enthusiastic appreciation...
Just proves you should Never Give Up!
The grass finally explained the lower body reflection and the logo filled in a large blank white space and balanced the whole composition.
Will make a great Christmas present I think!

Now onto a plane... WW1 plane I think.. an SE5a based on my own photo. Keep watching.

Mustang Mania

all of a sudden I have lots of sales...
4 Mustangs today...

 

and 8 prints last week too... plus I might have another commission...
wheeee.

Feilding calls...

No drawing this morning. Brett was at Manfield watching his loves running - not sure if his wife was with him or not.

I've been commissioned to do a drawing of a 617 Squadron Lancaster - very, very specific requirements that will need some careful research. Even the viewpoint of the Lanc has been specified. This will be a real challenge, but the beauty is I have the same passion for the concept as the guy who's asked me to draw it.

Nothing further from MSHT, but I hope we can come to an arrangement.

Trials and Tribulations # 1

Brett has alluded to some 'ups and downs' I have been experiencing...

On Friday, 29 October 2010 I contacted the Mainline Steam Heritage Trust (MSHT), owners of J1211 'Gloria', informing them that I had commenced a series of drawings of NZR locomotives and was wondered if they were interested in copies of J1211 'Gloria'. I received a reply from their Marketing & Operations Manager informing me that I did not have their permission to sell my prints of their locomotives on a commercial basis as they hold the rights to the locomotives. Apparently the MSHT actively pursue people who use images of their locomotives commercially. However, he did add that if I would like to use the images and sell them they would be happy to work out a commercial arrangement with me.

I had no idea I was infringing copyright and, of course, I have no desire to do so. Or get off-side with Mainline Steam as I get much pleasure from the efforts the members of the Trust undertake in keeping New Zealand's steam heritage available for all to enjoy. After all, they spend a fortune maintaining and running them.

I have opted to draw the locomotives because NZ steam holds an interest for me and, I think, a large number of New Zealanders as well as overseas visitors. My art work is not in the realms of David Shepherd or Terrence Cuneo but I do think I offer a slightly more personalised view of the locomotives depicted than a photograph does. I feel a painting/drawing to be more evocative than a photograph (although I have spent decades photographing NZ locomotives).

My drawings do not command much in the way of money & the sales volumes are very small so I'm not making a huge fortune. I would like to come to some arrangement with Mainline Steam (or any other owners for that matter) to acknowledge their ownership. I would be more than happy to include a royalty payment per print. As I've said, this is a low volume, low cost exercise but if my sales can contribute to MSHT in any way then I would be more than happy to be involved at that level.

To date I have had no response from Mainline Steam. Hopefully we can reach an agreement as I would like to continue drawing NZ Steam locomotives. Watch this space.

Eight for a mate

Good sale this week of a selection of 8 cars and planes to an old online racing friend.
Plus a rally car

and there's a couple with bids on the auction site coming up... THATS better!

Course I've already spent it on models and books but....

Big weekend next week.. Ww1 planes at masterton Saturday and classic car racing on Sunday. I'll need a day off after that!

muzzie progress

finally stole a half hour this evening and progressed the Stang.
I hope its Jade enough?

Finally sold the T70 Lola (Denny Hulme) to the Australian lady too so thats on its way tomorrow.

Warwick is selling bulk Aoteas too... those trains are going well!