This week, I decided to use a ballpoint pen a bit. I used a reference photo to sketch a Waist Gunner in a Boeing B-17 from World War II.
Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” Waist Gunner
I emphasized his face a bit to express his focus. I attempted to draw him looking intensely at the enemy. I wanted to zero in on the Waist Gunner and his weapon and leave the rest of the page rough. The lack of detail and shading in the background draws the eye of the viewer to only the foreground of the page. The .50 Caliber M-2 Browning machine gun is not perfectly drawn, but the viewer gets the idea.
I am debating painting a watercolor version of this piece or even using black marker. Color would make it pop, but the black and white would emphasize the shadows and highlights making it very intense. I may drop in a few planes in the sky as well.
My next post will be this drawing done in either medium and I will go in depth with the style and method it was done in.
Photo: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/onesixthnet/b-17-waist-gunner-t15140.html
This is my Grandfather!! I would love to see any other versions of your work on this pic. His name was Chester Raphoon.
What a coincidence! i saw this great photo and had to draw it. Please shoot me an email!
That’s a great sketch. Do you know what the window size is for the waist gunners?