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This is a work in progress (WIP). I am frequently asked how I start a painting and what the progression is.
There are many ways that this is done but this is how I am doing the MELLON.
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE
After thoroughly researching the 378 foot Mellon drawing from my time aboard her and mulling through many
photos I took and a set of blue prints I decided to paint her as she looked prior to her major modernization. I
wanted to depict her in a relatively calm Gulf of Alaska on a typical Alaskan Patrol. I started by lightely sketching
in how I wanted her to look and then painted in the sky...what I remember as typical of that area. This took many glazings
(coats of one color over the other).
I then roughed in the portions that were covered by the background painting and added some color to the
ship so I could have a starting point for continuing.
Next came adding the stacks, one mast and a little background water.
Here I have started to put some shading here and there and work on the stacks, 01 deck and the main deck
area amidships. This is when I realized that the MELLON had six openings along the air castle NOT five as the newer
cutters had. I have also changed the hull number to be larger and roughed in the COAST GUARD lettering. A start
of the after mast is also roughed in along with some more water.
Today I added the 5 inch mount forward and added lifelines to the air castle openings. Worked on a
little more shading. Also added the yardarms.
Added lifelines topside and above the bridge. Added search light, dish and worked on adding details to the forward yardarm.
Great day to work in the studio with 6+ inches of snow on the ground. Today I gave the bow a little more flare
which is typical of the 378's. Added more shading to the superstructure. Lifelines on the main deck and little more
work on the main mast. Also completed the small boat with davits.
This was a fun day. Not in any rush. Put some more rails on, worked on the after mast and radar. Fixed a nagging
problem I had with the forward part of the superstructure. Added the flags and put some shading on the foward part of
the hull....still a ways to go.
Today was a long day but it doesn't look like it. I realized I had put ten rectangular "windows" on the bridge
when there should only be nine so corrected that. Did a lot of shading on the hull and redid the COAST GUARD lettering.
Also fixed the radar as it looked like it wasn't connected to anything and was just "floating". Sometimes it is just
plain good to take a break, sit back and look at the progress in a different room away from the studio. All kinds
of little discrepancies pop up!
Didn't get a chance to spend too much time today in the studio. Did manage to get the USCG emblem on the stack
and racing strip, add 717 to the stern and do a work on the water. Sorry for the spots of glare in this photo.
Another light day. Added four people four people on the deck, enlarged the anchor and anchor housing and worked
on the water.
I think I might be done but that is always a difficult decision. Today I added the commissioning pennant, put on the
halyards and antenna's, added the draft marks forward on the waterline, put holding straps on the small boat, added the lifeline
around the flight deck and on the 02 deck...worked the water a little more also. Hope you enjoyed the venture.
I welcome any of your comments or criticisms.
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