Mazda Commission

I was then contacted by a young lady wanting another picture of her partners mazdas. I had done one for her ages ago and she tracked me down to complete the set (as it were).
Very happy to oblige especially with these rad cars. They look super mean and are great to get stuck into.

Not much as yet (due to afore mentioned health issues occupying my mind) but the pressures on for a deadline so having at it from now on...

The Familia has started and the RX7 is below outlined.

This was the original pair!

Capri Completed

Finished this one a couple of weeks ago.
Decided to finally attempt a second Cologne Capri, but this time Paul Fahey's NZ version.
Turned out OK in the end after an intense couple of weeks.

Then I discovered a bit of a health issie with rocketing blood pressure and suddenly it was all on to bring that down with a change of diet and lots more exercise. Plus pills!! Yes Im on the meds finally and its coming under control. But it did stop drawing for a couple of weeks.

and yes I finally DID finish the SR-71 jet!

Reach for the stratosphere

been a while I know but finally picked up the brushes again. Wow! for a small subject thats mainly grey its technically very tricky smerging in all those colours.
Coming along tho..

Spitting Flame

Added some rough colour to the exhaust. Can you see the undercarriage doors through the flame?

Sea and Flame

Completed the sailboat on Wellington harbor for Peter and started a new painting Ive been thinking about.

The yacht (I can NEVER spell that word!) finally worked out well. The rigging was tedious but necessary and was the icing on the cake (so to speak). Glazing has darkened the hills and given a depth to the rest of the painting and the sea is looking fine (imho!). I hope he likes it!

And so onto the SR-71 taking off with those massive exhaust flames. A great attitude for this plane that catches the eye and even at this early stage of a very rough under painting (or grisaille) it illustrates the massive power of the plane. One thing I tried here is the preparation of the canvas with a sprayed on blue acrylic plus a very light spray of white near the centre to focus the eye there. The plane was then traced onto that pre prepared canvas before starting the rough painting. I an very sarisfied with this one even at this early stage.

Four weeks to Christmas

and Ive promised Peter that Ill finish his yacht by then so here goes!
It was maybe 40% done about a year ago but now Ive really decided to get into it. Especially as Im more confident now on seas (after the Gambia!)

You can see the masking tape to get nice straight lines for the mast etc. Ive had a goo go at the hills but it needs another layer and the clouds which might be done! A white spray primer works wonders!

As usual its more of a seascape than a boat. The boat come last!

and just for completions sake here is the Macchi jet after scanning and cleanup.

Ill tried to dedicate as much of this weekend to painting as I can but theres lawns to mow and cricket to watch!! I still get 2 or 3 print sales a week but I feel I need to turn over my stock (ie: draw some more.. faster...) and retirement is beckoning or as Ive taken to calling it, reWIREment! coz I think Ill be busy as!

Greens and Greys

I think Ive used all my greens and greys in doing this plane! But its nearly there now..
Which is good as I have that boat waiting in the wings and another painting I really want to do over Christmas... which is only 7 weeks away now!

The photo has overdarkened some parts but Im sure you get the idea.. I still love the attitude of this plane!  Port wing only to go now!!!