The Aviation Art of Steven Heyen
Works In Progress
'Crucible Rabaul'
I was initially motivated to paint this subject because I stumbled across a
wonderful wartime aerial photograph of Rabaul harbour, and because I was
disatisfied with a similar painting I had recently completed with the same
subject matter (below left). My main concern lay in my perception that the 'rear
three quarter' perspective for the Corsair lacked dynamism, and didn't really
showcase the aircraft's unusual aesthetics. Despite my reservations, others
like this angle and consider it one of my better works. What can I say...
the artist is rarely satisfied.
wonderful wartime aerial photograph of Rabaul harbour, and because I was
disatisfied with a similar painting I had recently completed with the same
subject matter (below left). My main concern lay in my perception that the 'rear
three quarter' perspective for the Corsair lacked dynamism, and didn't really
showcase the aircraft's unusual aesthetics. Despite my reservations, others
like this angle and consider it one of my better works. What can I say...
the artist is rarely satisfied.
The photograph of Rabaul I referred to was published in an aviation history
magazine. It depicted a Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed Ventura on
a sortie in 1945. I trawled around the 'net and ascertained that the image was
owned by the RNZF. After a few emails, they gave me permission to use the
image on the proviso I send them a copy of the painting. My son has a 1/18 scale
model of a corsair, providing me with an excellent model.
magazine. It depicted a Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed Ventura on
a sortie in 1945. I trawled around the 'net and ascertained that the image was
owned by the RNZF. After a few emails, they gave me permission to use the
image on the proviso I send them a copy of the painting. My son has a 1/18 scale
model of a corsair, providing me with an excellent model.
After a few days of trying to estimate the colour and tonal values of
the b&w wartime photo, I was beginning to think I had bitten off more than I
could chew with this subject. But a few years of dedicated landscape painting has taught me about
perseverance, and it started to come through. The image below is a bit
late in the development of the work, but I am still comming to grips
with the whole WIP thing!
I've added in a few Zekes and the initial layers of the clouds. The composition
is more or less complete now, with the Japanese aircraft breaking away into tight
turns after a frontal attack on the Corsairs. The squadron codes have been added and the Corsair has been brought 'out' of the composition a bit more, by deepening the colours. The challenge is to translate the very flat paint finish that develops under the tropical sun.
is more or less complete now, with the Japanese aircraft breaking away into tight
turns after a frontal attack on the Corsairs. The squadron codes have been added and the Corsair has been brought 'out' of the composition a bit more, by deepening the colours. The challenge is to translate the very flat paint finish that develops under the tropical sun.
