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Hang on Studio Wall
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IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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II have suddenly developed, what I can only describe as a need to pint aircraft. I know that watercolour is not the usual medium used but non the less decided to go ahead. Aircraft I find are particularly difficult to paint, due to many lines in their construction, having  a problem with my hands make it even more difficult.  I have posted a painting of Hurricanes in the Battle Of Britain, and though a modern aircraft would be next. I was involved in what, called MRCA Project in the early 1970. I built some models of the shelters , that were been built at RAF Honington, as a display for a visit by the Queen prior to the building taking place.,  

Edited
by Paul (Dixie) Dean

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Nothing wrong with watercolour to do this, or gouache - or anything else, really.  Choose the medium you feel = not so much more comfortable, as free-est with.  
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Robert thank you for your comments. I based my remarks that watercolour was not the correct medium for aviation paintings based on my time working at the RAF Museum Hendon. I’m my five years working as a volunteer cleaning and carrying out inspections on the exhibits, and showing some dozen or so artists around the aircraft. I would talk to them about their work an said that I painted in watercolour, the opinion give by all was that you could not get a quality painting of an aircraft unless it was done in oil or acrylic. I suppose after a time I just accepted this statement and until now have never tried to paint an aircraft. But it won’t stop me now. This is where I and up to now, the far wall of the hanger is covered with lot of equipment, this I thought of doing out of focus and mainly colour and shape with little detail, so the aircraft remains the focus along with the ground crew. Well that the plan , time will tell.
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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This is it up to date , just put the base colour on the aircraft, it slightly bluer than I think the actual colour is but it my interpretation. I need to start putting some detail on the airframe and the ground crew. I can understand the comment that oil or acrylic is better for painting aircraft as it difficult to get a smother finish in watercolour. It’s at this point that I look at it and think oh what a mess, it a disaster and start trying to pull it together, I go through this with most paintings not only this one. Someone recently called it the ugly stage, well it won’t be that pretty in the end anyway. 

Tessa Gwynne

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Coming on well Dixie. Must admit when I first saw the title I thought it was a weather report!
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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I did wonder if someone might think that before seeing the painting, hopefully you still don’t think so.

Anthony Knight

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Looking good Paul! And as has been said, if watercolour works for you, then go for it. I actually think it could be really good for metallic surfaces. Look forward to seeing progress on this one!
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Thanks Anthony, I don’t think it will be much of a metal looking surface as the aircraft are covered in Matt anti glare paint.in some reference photos it a bluish colour and others it seems pale grey.  Some in the Gulf war were painted a desert pink, still I can only do my best and hope to get better. I can imagine some aircraft in the high gloss finish that you are expert at doing, maybe you should give it a go.

Anthony Knight

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I’ve thought about planes Paul - and trains funnily enough - and I will get round to it eventually, although I think it will be something older. Always wanted to paint a Spitfire, your painting did spark that off again!
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Still quite a bit further to go, think I’m getting there ( where ever it is.)

Anthony Knight

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Looking good Paul. The fine detail’s pulling it together nicely 👍

Tessa Gwynne

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Just spotted this Dixie, looking really good. You obviously have the background knowledge of this set up and it shows in your work.
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