by Jack Lee
This is an acrylic on canvas, 20X24. The painting attempts to generate strong, almost overpowering feelings of war…isolation, danger, death, destruction, all set in shades of grey and black and white with just a touch color. It looks like a sketch, but it’s all paint and brush. Working with black and white to achieve everything I wanted was a challenge. It was the first time I’ve tried it.
A painting is said to be a success if can evoke strong feelings and set tone for everything around it. This haunting vision depicts a B-25 Mitchell bomber, circa 1943, flying somewhere over Europe just under the storm clouds and lightening. What is lost in the photography is the thin veil of dark rain in the backdrop, but when viewed in person it is very apparent. The blue-green canopy is actually that color originally.
The key parts of this painting are contrast, motion, line, perspective and tonal value to give it balance. Note: A red detonator button on the lowest bomb is pronounced for effect. I hope you can take a moment to stare at the detail and tell me what feelings it gives you; it reminds me of the futility of war, which is not to say I am anti-war. It’s just that I hope mankind will evolve beyond war because it is so destructive.
AIRWAR B25 Mitchell Bomber 1943
Red Biplane Circa 1935 over desert
The above painting is just for fun. Colorful, happy, total opposite from the other one, eh?
Powerful. How do I feel? Fear, pride, anger, anguish. Sadness.
Let’s just say it doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Bombs away! I do have one observation about the bombs. The bomb in the forefront is larger, as it should be, but the other three are all about the same size. I suggest the second bomb should be a bit larger to add perspective.
If you’re doing this from an old black and white photo you’ve captured it well. By the way, I can see the rain and the red button just fine…it’s the lightning in the clouds that impresses me…must be really good in person.
Thanks Pie and Tina, appreciate the comments very much. This was done from imagination, nothing to work from, except that a B25 is pretty common – easy to do.
Jack, I sure wish you would paint a portrait of George Noory.