Drawing Academy Winner

Thanks to everyone's generous support in this competition I've been selected as a winner for the Drawing Academy online course.  I'm excited to see how this course deepens my understanding of classical art and strengthens the skills developed over the years.  Feel free to visit www.drawingacademy.com to see for yourself the depth and quality of material offered there.

Sgt Collins of CEB

Recently the Motor Transport Marines of my Combat Logistics Battalion and the engineer Marines of Combat Engineering Battalion conducted joint training for counter IED and Lane sweeping techniques. Of the CEB platoon was a squad leader named Sgt Collins who displayed confidence, knowledge, and command presence. My inspiration to create a portrait was kindled. The day was clear and cloudless since the snow had blown through just a few days before, so with the sun in full participation, I took a few photos to later work from. Below is the progress of my work since the watercolor realm is still new to me.

The initial layout in graphic pencil. Here time for proportions should be taken. It's easier to erase pencil than watercolor.

A few steps in, I laid the first wash for the sky, then began the major colors and shapes for the uniform. I mostly used combinations of Veridian, Burnt Umber, and Yellow Ochre. I also included some of the shadows early to break up the smaller shapes.

Here my focus was the skin tone and creating the form under the Kevlar using the shadows and darks.

This was the most consuming part. The values depicting the shadow of his helmet but also the reflected light you see in his brows and eyes. Also, the shape of these shadow really brings the convincing look to the form of his face. Again, more reason this took a little more time. The other detail was the NVG mount and goggles which took only a few minutes.  The next step was to put a loose wash and a few details on his weapon, touch up his uniform, and darken the upper right corner. Once this was done I'd call it complete.

Here is the 11x14 final product.

M1A1 Tank

While in our training cycle, integrated training offers greater understanding of the MAGTF, an expansion of equipment knowledge, and often new friendships. Here the Battalion Landing Team linked up with CLB's maintenance platoon to conduct power plant (I.e. The engine) maintenance and training. 

This is the raw sketch I did. I was on my way to scout a live fire range and caught this. It took about 20min, with a Sharpie pen layout and tonal markers. They come in handy for quick and large areas of coverage. 

Here's the same piece with some details. Done after the tank left and I had to walk away.

Field Maintenance

Here is a sketch of a Marine working on an MTVR that went down after a 10hr convoy. It was cold this day and I kept to the bay shelter as best I could while the designated maintenance bay took in and worked on this truck for several hours. This sketch was done in the evening hours, when Maintenance Platoon seems usually to be most energetic and productive.

A lot of maintenance is done while in the field and this is only a moment captured of the hard work done that is often not fully appreciated. My trucks wouldn't run if it weren't for these guys.

New Tools: Part 2

A small series I've been messing with. A combination of loose sketching to familiarize myself with the markers, and the practice of subject matter.

Most of these are photographic reference...

My angles/shapes/proportions are a bit off here. Of course error comes with practice...but so does excellence.

Tones and my use of the markers has create a kind of graphic art look. Definitely a new style and take on how I am seeing the subject matter.

For the few of these that have a loose cartoon feel to them, I take as a practice run. I'd hope to find the time to be accurate in value and proportions to then create a final product with these markers. Hopefully that post isn't too far in the future.

New Tools

I recently recieved some art supplies in the mail for the coming anticipation of training exercises and artwork. Shades of Grey is a set of tonal markers made by Faber-Castell. It's a 6 marker pack, with 3 values each for a warm and cool grey. I've attached a small little sample of work with the markers... So far I love them and hope to sharpen my hand, eyes, and work using these markers.

Side Note: I didn't do a preliminary sketch and think that if I lay down proportions with a hard graphite (2H or 4H) it would be all the better.  Similar concept to the pencil markings found under light watercolor washes.. which I also hope to do more of in the field.

Designation Letter

It was a few weeks ago that I posted about my interview with the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  The Art Curator and the Deputy Director have been evaluating the decision to include me into the Combat Artist program, and after discussing it with the Executive Director it was unanimously decided to bring me on the team.  It's an understatement to say I am humbled by this opportunity to be a part of this unique and hidden treasure of the Marine Corps.

 

This letter of delegation from the NMMC is a humble reminder that while I serve my primary billet in the Marine Corps, I have an opportunity to use my gift in a greater way than I could have imagined coming in.

"Taking a Knee"

This is the final product from a piece I started a few months ago.  I was finally able to use the extended weekend to catch up and finish it... And with the focus on the Sgt Weybrew and his weapon, this serves as an unconventional portrait of his time and service over seas.

Illustrator Introduction: Richard Johnson

Some artists hide beneath the flow of mainstream media.  Even with extreme talent, they seem to be hidden in the corners of coffee shops, studios, and galleries. 

Richard Johnson is an artist who deserves to have his work displayed for ALL to see.  This is not to say that his work doesn't get attention, but that it deserves more than it already has.  Richard is the Graphics Editor for The Washington Post (former) and works almost strictly from life.  He was introduced to me by Mike Fay, a former combat artist.  Even with the exceptions of working from life, his work is uniquely simple and masterful all in one.

During some email traffic I had with him, I took advantage of the connection to pick his brain and ask about his perspective and his thinking process during his sketching hours.  His encouragement was simple, Practice..Practice..Practice. Additional tips in his media use and gear choice helped me to navigate the ropes as a young combat artist, and after looking at his work from his tours over seas, you can't help but be drawn to his work and the stories behind the drawing. 

Please check out his work at http://newsillustrator.com/

Combat Art Studio

During my visit to Quantico to shadow the current Combat Artist, Colonel C. Streeter, we studied the Military Working Dog Unit (MWD) and took a studio approach to our references (sketches and photos). This was also my first attempt at the graphite wash pencils, toned paper, and white chalk highlights.

My finished work in the studio. It was presented to the Director, Deputy Director, and Art Curator of the National Museum of the Marine Corps the last day of my visit.