Jack Fellows (aviation artist)

Jack Fellows is an aviation artist (not exclusively on aviation subjects, though) that has described many American WW2 Pacific operations in his oil paintings.

He manages to use color in outstanding effect in his Pacific landscapes:

A book was published showing many of Jack's paintings based on WW2's Pacific theater of war:

Russell Smith (aviation artist)

Russell Smith is an aviation artist specializing in World War I aviation subjects.

I remember finding his website by chance a few months ago, looking for advice on how to depict aircraft in proper perspective (the link is this). His oil paintings are superb in how he uses light/shadow, values and edges to create a "window into another time and place" (as he puts it).

These two paintings are probably my favorite:

Russell is a member of the American Society of Aviation Artists.

Robert Taylor (aviation artist)

Robert Taylor, as it seems, is one of the greatest living aviation artists.
His oil paintings bring an unusual freshness of nature subjects mixed with military aircraft (mostly from WW2).

Robert had the privilege of working directly with some of the most important WW2 pilots, such as Douglas Bader (RAF) or Adolf Galland (Luftwaffe).

I have one of his books:


(I think it was bought second-hand but in excellent condition and very cheap), but there are several of them, quite expensive if new and bearing astonishing reproductions of his paintings.

Mark Postlethwaite (aviation artist)

Mark Postlethwaite is another aviation artist from UK - working exclusively with acrylics - who I've learned to appreciate.
Two books were written depicting most of his work in the last 20 years:

Besides the biggest works on canvas/linen, lots of interesting cover art works were done by Mark for several series of books from Osprey Publishing, a company specialized in military history.

Some examples:


Mark is a member of UK's Guild of Aviation Artists.

Traditional Oil Painting

This book is a gold mine:

Virgil Elliott is acknowledged as a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center, defining him as "an expert on historic oil painting techniques and oil painting materials of the past and present."

About preferences

As a beginner artist, I'm struggling to find a path to artistic expression. I've already tried several painting media: acrylics, watercolor, pastel and oil.

Of these, pastel and oil seem to be my favorites.

I've found several art supplies stores in Porto, but by far my preference goes to Moldursant - not only because of its huge supplies on art items, but also because of the most helpful and knowledgeable staff.

You can't learn everything with books :).

Roy Cross (aviation and marine artist)

In 2012, after 25+ years, I took a new interest on modeling aircraft and bought a few Airfix 1/72 kits.
I remember having a huge interest in the cover art as a kid, but only now I could find out more about these artists. One of these is Roy Cross.

Roy Cross is best known as the artist behind the cover art designs for Airfix in the 1960s. Two books were published about his work as aviation illustrator:

Interestingly enough, another Roy (Roy Huxley) was the artist behind many of the early cover art designs of Airfix's then rival Matchbox. The two artists are members of the Guild of Aviation Artists in UK.
The next book is a superb cronology of Matchbox's kit designs:

Looking for fellow painters

Please say hi, especially if you live in the Porto region.

Jar and apple still life (oil painting)

Another simple still life (oil on canvas, 40x26 cm).

Still life (oil painting)

Another still life in oil on canvas (25x20 cm). The lemon came back to the fridge...

Still life (oil painting)

A small still life in oil on canvas (20x25 cm).

Tamega river (oil painting)

View of the old bridge in Amarantes, over the Tamega river (oil on canvas, 30x30 cm).

Street view in Obidos (pastel on paper)

This pastel drawing depicts a street view in Obidos.

Obidos windows (pen and watercolor)

A watercolor drawing of some windows in Obidos (24x8 cm).

Framed

Two watercolor drawings framed and ready for delivery ...

Azorean windmill (pen and watercolor)

This little drawing on watercolor depicts an Azorean windmill with its distinctive red roof.

Tower in Freixo de Espada à Cinta (pen and watercolor)

A gift to my father: a drawing of his home town's 16th century tower (Freixo de Espada à Cinta).

Old bridge (pastel on paper)

This drawing is based on a picture taken by a friend of mine.

Steam train (pastel on paper)

This pastel painting/drawing is based on a retired steam train from the CP (Portuguese train company).

Douro river near Porto (pastel on paper)

This painting/drawing with pastel (28x40 cm) was based on a picture taken on a gray dull afternoon.

However, I wanted to give some color to the houses on the right side.
Also, a slight fuzziness was made near the bridge (Arrabida bridge), giving some more crispness to the boat and houses.

River boat (pastel on paper)

This is one of my earliest attempts using pastel on paper.

River near Spanish frontier (acrylic)

This acrylic painting (45x34 cm) was based on a picture from the Spanish-Portuguese frontier near the Douro river.

Fairey Swordfish Mk.I (acrylic)

I have a long standing interest in aviation subjects, in particular from the 20th century.
This was my first real try on painting one such airplane.

This one is a Fairey Swordfish Mk. I, a torpedo-carrier biplane from the Royal Navy, here with its pre-war colors (1939).

This canvas is about 30x60 cm in size.

Free theme (acrylic)

This painting (acrylic on canvas panel) came out inspired by a related one on a landscape from Alentejo.

Alentejo landscape (acrylic)

A picture with a landscape from Alentejo became an inspiration for this painting (acrylic on canvas panel).

Country house (acrylic)

Last August, as I was starting my learning process, I had the oportunity to draw this country house and create an acrylic painting.

Castelo de Almourol (oil painting)

This oil painting is based on a picture of Castelo de Almourol, in the Tagus River in Portugal. This magnificent fortification is inside the river.

The painting is on canvas panel (30x24 cm) and is available for sale on my Etsy shop.

Castelo do Queijo, Porto (oil painting)

This oil painting (one of the first I've ever made) is based on Castelo do Queijo (literally, Cheese Castle).
This ancient fortification is located on Porto, Portugal.

The painting is on canvas panel (30x24 cm) and is available for sale on my Etsy shop.

Train in Switzerland (oil painting)

This oil painting on canvas (20x25 cm) was based on a friend's picture.
Incidentally, this friend became a recipient of the painting as a gift.

Who am I?

Hello, I'm a Portuguese painter (just beginning, really) and I'm looking into posting here some of my paintings.
Even though these paintings will obviously show my lack of skills on the subject, let's move on :).

Thanks for stopping by,
Ari Constancio

Welcome!

Welcome to my art blog.