Knights of the Air
Oct. 30th, 2010 12:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amphigoury So last month I read an awesome Merlin WWII AU fic called "Knights of the Air" by ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
riventhorn . And I started drawing like crazy! Like, CRAZY!
So, here's the big poster. Did it up old movie-style.
Arrival at the Airfield
"The lorry rattled to a halt, and he jumped out, slinging his kitbag over his shoulder. The driver waved, and he gave a little salute back. A smile was already creeping over his face. He could smell the petrol; hear the riggers and fitters shouting at each other. The lorry pulled off, and as it drew away, the airfield materialized in front of him. There they were—green and brown paint gleaming, the perfect symmetry of the wings and nose taking his breath away. Ten Spitfires, quiet now, but waiting eagerly, ready to spring into the sky when the call came."
I think the hardest part of this one was getting that damn wedge cap right. From what I've seen in pictures, those suckers are held up my sheer force of will. The telegraph was fun to make too.
The Piano
“Everybody do the blackout stroll,
Laugh and drive your cares right up the pole.
Whisper 'see you later' to your baby doe,
Now let's change our partners in the blackout stroll."
He started the instrumental section, and Tristan seized Lance, capering in a circle as people pushed back their chairs to give them room. “From the top, lads!” Merlin shouted and started the song again, singing a line, then letting the other three sing the next, back and forth until they reached the end, to more applause."
If I never draw another piano again, it'll be too soon.
Merlin's Ditch
"He hammered his fists against [the canopy], as hard as he could, choking from the smoke. Air suddenly rushed in, and the hood rose jerkily. Merlin scrambled out, tumbled down the side and fell onto his knees. He clambered up, lungs burning and ran forward a few yards before falling down again."
Lots of fun with smoke in this one. And scraping up a Spitfire.
Nose Art
Flight Lieutenant Penderly's Spitfire and nose art
and
Sgt. Emmeris' Spitfire and nose art
riventhorn . And I started drawing like crazy! Like, CRAZY! So, here's the big poster. Did it up old movie-style.
Arrival at the Airfield
"The lorry rattled to a halt, and he jumped out, slinging his kitbag over his shoulder. The driver waved, and he gave a little salute back. A smile was already creeping over his face. He could smell the petrol; hear the riggers and fitters shouting at each other. The lorry pulled off, and as it drew away, the airfield materialized in front of him. There they were—green and brown paint gleaming, the perfect symmetry of the wings and nose taking his breath away. Ten Spitfires, quiet now, but waiting eagerly, ready to spring into the sky when the call came."
I think the hardest part of this one was getting that damn wedge cap right. From what I've seen in pictures, those suckers are held up my sheer force of will. The telegraph was fun to make too.
The Piano
“Everybody do the blackout stroll,
Laugh and drive your cares right up the pole.
Whisper 'see you later' to your baby doe,
Now let's change our partners in the blackout stroll."
He started the instrumental section, and Tristan seized Lance, capering in a circle as people pushed back their chairs to give them room. “From the top, lads!” Merlin shouted and started the song again, singing a line, then letting the other three sing the next, back and forth until they reached the end, to more applause."
If I never draw another piano again, it'll be too soon.
Merlin's Ditch
"He hammered his fists against [the canopy], as hard as he could, choking from the smoke. Air suddenly rushed in, and the hood rose jerkily. Merlin scrambled out, tumbled down the side and fell onto his knees. He clambered up, lungs burning and ran forward a few yards before falling down again."
Lots of fun with smoke in this one. And scraping up a Spitfire.
Nose Art
Flight Lieutenant Penderly's Spitfire and nose art
and
Sgt. Emmeris' Spitfire and nose art
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no subject
Date: 2010-10-30 04:13 pm (UTC)I could continue in capslock the entire way, but will spare you :) Anyway, I just love these! I already knew the poster one was awesome, but it's even more awesome in color--and you added Bristol! Awww :) I especially like the angles of the Spitfires in that one--it has such great movement.
Merlin's arrival--the telegram is such a neat idea, with the blacked out parts! And Merlin's jaunty little wave! I love how it's all set up so that it looks like a photo that his mother might have on display.
The piano scene is great--with Arthur in the background looking on. And Tristan, Gawain and Lance, yay!
I love the smoke and flames on Merlin's crash, and how he's climbing out with all of his flight suit gear--on all of these, you do a really great job of capturing moments of action--it feels just like a snapshot was taken, freezing that little moment in time.
And I love your choices for the nose art! Lol, Arthur would pick a crown! And Arthur leaning casually on his Spitfire in the uniform, and Merlin's little smile.
You're right, you have spoiled me!! SO WONDERFUL, SO WONDERFUL!!
I will definitely provide a link to these on the masterpost and feature the poster one there (*rushes off to do so*), but I would also be happy to incorporate the others into the fic itself, if you would like!
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Date: 2010-10-30 05:15 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2010-10-30 07:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-30 06:51 pm (UTC)I have a huge fondness for the nose art pictures, that's always been one of my favorite things from WWII. It's nice to know that Merlin and Arthur have more class than to draw nude girls on their planes. :P
no subject
Date: 2010-10-30 07:57 pm (UTC)I'd noticed in my nose art research that Spitfire pilots didn't have a big canvas to work with and usually kept the nose art to simple icon that the pilot identified with like Johnnie Johnson's canadian maple leaf, or Al Deere's kiwi bird in honour of New Zealand.
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Date: 2010-10-30 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2010-10-31 12:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-31 03:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-15 04:49 am (UTC)I AM SO COMPLETELY IN AWE OF ALL OF THESE OH MY DEAR GOD LOOK AT THEM ALL! I KEEP CHANGING MY MIND ON WHICH IS MY FAVORITE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL SO BRILLIANT! THERE IS SO MUCH TO ADORE ABOUT THEM ALL BUT I THINK I LIKE BEST THE WAY YOU WERE ABLE TO PERFECTLY CAPTURE NOT ONLY
I am also really sorry about the incredibly excessive capslock but I just cannot rein in my squee ove these.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-15 06:28 am (UTC)The telegraph was a blast to make. It was a whole 'nother piece itself! I felt bad that it had to end up so small. But making it all censored and whatnot was funtimes. I don't quite remember where the nose art idea came from... but I'm glad it happened. Arthur's was easy to think up, but Merlin required a bit o' thought before I ended up with the bird. And I swear to god, I'm on strike from drawing pianos.... no more!
Anyways, thanks so much for the great comment! I got a big dumb grin on my face now... heh heh.
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Date: 2010-12-12 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2011-09-07 02:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-09 06:03 pm (UTC)I quickly answered: "It's Vetern artwork."
She replied with "Oh that's very nice!" and smiled. XD
So now you know that my boss appreciates your artwork too. :)