Welcome to the June/July News Letter. The show season is in full swing now of course with one Duxford under our belts, Flying Legends is the next Duxford based show and my favourite of the year. Duxford is always windy though and is now included in my personal glossary of meteorological terms… High Pressure, Low Pressure, Warm Front, Cold Front, Duxford, Precipitation, Cumulus Cloud, etc. etc. (I believe Duxford is Latin for Flippin Windy.)

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I was honoured to be invited to be part of the ‘Selection Panel’ for the 2011 Annual G.Av.A. Exhibition in the Mall Gallery London. The exhibition will run from 18th to 24th July 2011 and is always worth going to and having a good look around. There will be over 400 paintings hanging in three galleries. My intention on the panel was to reject everything and just have my two paintings hanging in the whole establishment, that would have profiled my work really really well wouldn’t it. Seriously though, there is some fabulous work to look at and it was a real pleasure actually having it all go past my very eyes without having to walk around the gallery!

I have to admit, Carol and myself did turn up a tad late for the allotted duty. Reason being, we stopped at a Travelodge over night before travelling a short hop to the gallery, turned on the telly and realised Cas’s watch was a little out and made corrective adjustments as necessary. We then realised the next day we had been watching that +1 thing that was an hour different to normal everyday people!!! My excuse was, I had to stop off all the time ‘being London’ to sign autographs. Didn’t work.

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The Vulcan painting is now complete and selling nicely. The problem I had nearing the completion of the canvas, was “what do I introduce in the foreground or middle ground to complete the composition”. The answer was basically very little, and turned out in the end to be nothing more than the associated airfield signage. I was thinking of runwayside cabinets containing electrical equipment, or some sort of vehicle, aerials systems etc. etc. but I personally think the content of the composition is the Vulcan and should not be interfered with too much. I was thinking of titling the image ‘SAY AGAIN!!!!’ but I stuck with ‘Team Olympus.’

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I was pleased to be commissioned to do an E. E. Lightning depicting a T4 of 92 ‘East India’ Sqn. Something just a little different for me, a modern subject. Something to note here if you are a beginner at this art thing, please note you can only just make out the roundel markings. Unlike WWII markings they are very subtle and it is easy to go too bright and gaudy just because you know it is that colour and you want to see it. Again, the basic colour of the upper fuselage. It is all too easy to go too green. This image is just a hint away from dark grey. Just a little green added to Paynes grey. I remember on this particular canvas constantly adding then taking away again and again, small quantities of white, paynes grey, sap green, just to try and get the final effect right. I use a small piece of broken glass as a palette. This is in fact ideal for the job as it is easy to clean, and when placed over a piece of white paper allows you to see the true representation of the mixed colour.

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I am taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity to have my Westland Whirlwind print ‘Channel Dash’ signed by an ex Whirlwind WWII pilot Flt. Sgt. Wood. Apparently a very interesting story is associated with Flt. Sgt. Wood’s flying career. A potted history of the event will accompany the print, and I can assure you it is very exciting! I am not too sure of the exact details at the moment, but will advise ASAP. There are only 10 prints being signed.

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As usual, I do like my landscapes and am nearing completion of a small Norfolk canvas. The boat will be made larger eventually and maybe even bring the far bank a little closer. Watch this space and see the eventual canvas and the changes I intend to make. (The birds are Widgeons if anyone is interested by the way.)

That concludes this bi monthly news letter, so keep well and if you are going to an airshow at some point, I hope it is not too ‘Duxford’ on the day!.

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Events Dates

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That concludes this bi monthly news letter, so keep well and if you are going to an airshow at some point, I hope it is not too ‘Duxford’ on the day!

Robin.

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If you require more information about ordering prints please telephone 01507 327681 or email robin@robin-smith-art.co.uk