Another Whiskey Cobra...

[VectoredThrust]

Good Evening All,

This is my first WIP thread here on Simmers, although I've been lurking for about two years now . I'm not really new to illustration, but this Whiskey will be my first public sharing. I'm excited to show it off... there is alot of talent on this forum and I'm always popping in to see what cool new things show up. I tip my hat to you all!

My Whiskey is ALSO an HMLA-367 bird and it is for my wife's cousin (he's a Scarface Marine). I am going to the printer on this project and it will measure nearly 4 feet long (with the main fuselage measuring approximately 34" alone).

I was explaining to Ugo in his AH-1W thread that I have about 200+ hours in research and drawing so far. While I haven't finished my lineart yet, I have started to do color tests on various components (the cheek bay door, an AN/AAR-47 sensor, and the main rotor system). I work entirely in Adobe Illustrator (although I do use photoshop to resize images).

This project will likely span two more months before it is fully completed. I'll post updates as I go.


Anyhoo... hope you enjoy! Feedback always welcome!

-VectoredThrust

[BLOWHARD]

Nice stuff even down to the little twisty wires!!!

[Kakukk]

Oh
I like the line drawing.

[santynus]

nice draw and great details VectoredThrust

[VectoredThrust]

Thanks to all who have replied! This morning before work I started 'polishing' the details (textures, highlights, shadows) on the main rotor system. The main rotor and the tail rotor are the most detailed (therefore the most complicated) parts on the project (the stub wing and TOW system coming in a close third). Once these areas are knocked out I can start on the main fuselage... and things will really start coming together. I'll post a picture update when I have the tail rotor completed!

Cheers,

VT

[gamary]

Looks very promising! I'm looking forward to see your progress on this.

[BLOWHARD]

Hmmm...looks like he's going to put the rest of us out of business
I hope you aren't planning any WW1 subjects...

[VectoredThrust]

I don't think I'll be putting anyone out of business. While I am a HUGE aviation buff, my list of projects far exceeds the span of a single lifetime (especially considering how long it takes me to do a single drawing).

As far as WWI projects are concerned... none are on the board! At this stage I'm a helicopter guy, as witnessed by my projected profile list:

AH-1Z
Eurocopter A-star (for the local PD)
Beechcraft Staggerwing
Some form of EC-145 (keep your eyes out for this one!)
KC-135 (for a friend who flies 'em)
EC-635

There certainly will be others, but I haven't decided on specifics (too many aircraft... so little time).

[GrubbyFingers]

Beautiful work, VT. Your attention to detail is amazing. I can't imagine howcomplex that rotor head looks in outline mode with all that shading! Are you using Gradient Mesh to get those effects and highlights? You're a brave man than I. I think I'll stick to masking it off in Photoshop and hosing on some white.

I look forward to following your progress.

Grubby.

[VectoredThrust]

20 hours on 'outlines':




12-14 hours on coloring (there was some experimentation and a learning curve... and I'm only about 90% satisfied with it):



Grubby, no gradient meshes here. The gradient mesh tool is certainly powerful, but can quickly become unwieldy, unforgiving, and time consuming. I like the control offered by combining shapes, transparencies and blending modes... especially when it comes to complex mechanical subjects like the rotorhead.

That's not to say that gradient meshes have no place in my project, though. I'm planning some... experimentation. I'll let you know how it turns out!

-VT