Cpl. David Braun - preliminary drawing

This is the preliminary drawing of Cpl. David Braun. Since Cindy showed the method of beginning the painting by 'drawing' in paint, I've done a pencil drawing as the beginning of this painting. I usually do more of a 'cartoon' when I'm drawing in pencil to later paint. There is little need for detail - just some markings that tell me the angle of the eyes, nose and mouth, the edge of the face perhaps, and the top of the head and chin. This one has more detail so you can compare the drawing with the painting at a later date.

Now that I've completed the preliminary drawing, I'm ready to start applying paint. I'll supply more photos as I go along.

-Susan

Work in Progress - Portrait of Corporal Cole Bartsch

Corporal Cole Bartsch-Work in Progress
Work in Progress-Stage 2

This is the second stage of the painting with all areas roughly blocked in with the approximate colours. At this stage there's no detail and I'm not too fussy about getting exact colours, my goal is to get the canvas completely covered with paint and try to stay true to the oil sketch which ultimately gets covered up. I had an illustration assignment to do so I only had time to block in the background and shirt.

The next day after taking care of some business aspects of art (the part I don't particularly like) I added Cole's beret and got the first layer of paint on his face. Luckily the painting isn't dry yet so I can paint wet in wet which I prefer. I'll be fine tuning the colour and shapes, making sure that the drawing is accurate, adding details and the pattern to the uniform. It looks like I've wandered a bit from my oil sketch (see post from June 12) so I'll have to make some adjustments here and there.

We're painting from photos given to us by the families and most often the soldiers are dressed in civilian clothing and are in candid situations. It's necessary to delete backgrounds and other people from the photos and add what is needed like the beret and uniform. We paint a background that is flattering to skin tones, add the berets and uniforms, and pose them all in a similar manner so that the paintings will look like a cohesive unit when they're displayed together.

Cindy

Composition Issues

Susan - Every now and then a painter has a painting that just isn't working for one reason or another, and this one is problematic for me. There are some things that work well - I like the soldiers marching into the distance on the right and I like the main soldier and the way he fades into the soldiers marching.

The problem is the 'bloom' of faces behind him. There's some glare on the photo, but still you can see how the faces look like a flower growing out behind the main soldier's head.

It doesn't matter how excellent our skills are, or how long we've been painting, we still occasionally create paintings like this one that I've had great challenges with and may eventually have to put in the scrap file if a really great idea doesn't arise quickly.

So, if you have any ideas, feel free to comment. In the meantime, wish me luck with this one and I'll either post the end result, or let you know if it hits the scrap heap and I start again.

Portrait in Progress-Corporal Cole Bartsch

Corporal Cole Bartsch
Initial Drawing in Oil, 14 x 18

We are working on commemorative paintings and the portraits. Each of us has a slightly different approach to a painting but I always begin by drawing my subject in oil directly on the canvas. I prefer to do my drawing in one session but it doesn't always work that way. Once I feel the drawing is accurate I begin blocking in the colour. I'll post the block in as soon as I get a chance to get back to the easel but for today I have an illustration job to do.

This project has many aspects to it besides the portraits and there's much to plan. Meanwhile the regular work of our businesses and families carry on as though there were no project. A living must be made and my commissions and illustration assignments continue to roll in which makes for a jam packed schedule, but am I complaining? Not a chance, I couldn't be luckier and I know Susan and Shairl feel the same way.

-Cindy

Shairl Follows ‘Andrew’s Smile’ to Vancouver Island

Shairl (left) with Maureen (right) This incredible quilt was a gift made by a neighbor friend that honours not only
Andrew but other soldiers that have died in previous wars.

“I have to meet this mother; I want to paint her son!” said Shairl as she listened to Maureen Eykelenboom share her story called ‘Andrew’s Smile’ on CBC Radio.
Corporal Andrew James Eykelenboom died on August 11, 2006. He was the first Canadian Forces Medic to be killed in Afghanistan. “Andrew was packing up to go home, but he volunteered to go out on the day he died”, said Maureen. She spoke of how Andrew lived his life to the fullest but always had time to help others.

As Shairl visited with the Eykelenboom family in their home in Comox, B.C. she observed the many plaques, photos, and commemorative items throughout the house that honored Andrew as a brave hero, soldier and medic. Through Maureen’s stories Shairl learned that Andrew’s sensitivity and compassion for all peoples was evident even as a young boy.

Shairl feels she knows this young son of Maureen and Hans a little better now. It will be an honour to paint him. She will start his portrait tomorrow.

A Visit With Corporal Cole Bartsch's Family

Susan and I (Cindy) recently had a visit with the family of Cole Bartsch, one of the soldiers who died on July 4, 2007. We heard about Cole's love for the outdoors and comics, his antics, his great respect for the military, and his deep love of family. And photos, so many wonderful photos of Cole.

Hearing about him and seeing his pictures and bedroom will make painting his portrait all that more poignant.

Cole's parents want his name and the wonderful young man that he was to be remembered. Project Heroes™ is a way we can remember our fallen soldiers and show our deep gratitude, even so it seems as though we can't say thank you enough for what the soldiers and their parents, siblings, extended family, and friends have given up.

Thank you Bartsch family. Thank you Cole.