This one i have to say was inspired by one of my DA favs by Mark Karvon. The question it answers is could i try to do that too? I love Aviation Art and have dabbled in it before but not in a long while.

I started off doing some photoshop sketches of plane designs. I wanted to design my own version of what I thought a stealth fighter could be. after these initial sketches I began an extensive reference search and analysis of current real world designs. from that i took what i liked and blended it into what you see pictured.

not quite satisfied with my sketches i began a form discovery exercise in 3dsmax. i spent a day working up a block in model of my design. from there, a day or so later, i took the idea of that and began sketching in photoshop again. not directly working over the 3d model but remembering its form in my head the previous days and freewheeling it out as a new line drawing

it actually took several line drawings to get to something i could paint up and that i liked. more than id like to admit. lots of refining here.

the drawing took a day and a half. from there i went into painting the broad shapes and deciding on a pallet. it really started to feel good when i got into airbrushing and really opaque painting.

you may see in the foreground some graphics on the display panel in the front cockpit. those are a direct rip from the f-35 lighting 2 joint strike fighter. i just couldn't help it, they fit in perfectly for what i wanted.

i hope you enjoy it and im very happy to share it with you.
-mike marsicano