ARTBYDAVID

I was recently commissioned to paint one of the Squirrel Helicopters from the Helicopter training school at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire. The painting was then presented as a retirement gift at a special evening. I think the recipient was very pleased and totally shocked by the presentation. Here is a copy of the finished image. I had thought about producing prints with a percentage going to the RAF Benevolent find, so an idea to look at for the future. I always welcome and appreciate comments and feedback on my work. I hope you like the finished result.

Amazing tank. I have always wanted to produce a Drawing or Painting of the Tank, and wondered if you had any photos that you would be willing to share with me for reference purposes. Good 3/4 views or a menacing front view would be ideal. If you can help and would like to talk more please do contact me direct, and please don't think I am trying to sell anything. Drawing/Painting Military Vehicles is a passion of mine, and it would be nice to add to my painting of the Challenger. I look forward to hearing from you.

Please don't forget to reply to David Atkinson the owner of Poppy's at datkinson40@yahoo.co.uk It all helps with the planning of the evening. Any more questions please drop me a line.

There will be a Wine Tasting with Canapes and Exhibition of Paintings and Prints on 24th July from 7pm. For any of you that are in the area to Shrewsbury, the event is being held at Poppy's Restaurant 8 Milk Street. Donations will be given to the Midlands Air Ambulance. For any one interested in coming along, and there will be the odd Military Painting on display, please confirm numbers to the owner of Poppy's David Atkinson at datkinson40@yahoo.com Numbers are limited so please book early. Apologies for it not being completely Military orientated, but there will be some Military work there and it is for such a good cause.

Could be something a little different, almost as daft as a pig on a Tractor?

Thank you fort he comments so far, which look like going in favour of the Thunderbolt.

I am currently planning to add to an older painting of a Willy's Jeep. The idea is to have a distant background high up on a Forest Path with a fly by of a Us fighter. I had planned to add a P-47 Thunderbolt, but now I am insure if this is the appropriate Aircraft. So I am therefore throwing this question out to you all, What do you think will fit well within the background of this image? Thank you in Anticipation for your input.

I forgot to add that the beauty of silhouettes is that they are quick, keep the costs down but they are very effective.

Sorry been busy and hadn't kept up to date with my posts. Not all of the images were painted at the shows, the Oil Paintings had to be painted in advance to allow drying time. The other watercolours are quite small around 7" x 5" and were all painted throughout 3 days. Unfortunately the show at Sleap was very wet and quieter so it allowed me to produce six of the images at the event. At the Welshpool Air show I only managed to finish one Watercolour. It was a great day weather wise and a lot busier. So potentially around 2 hours or so on each one. Hope that helps and again apologies for the slow reply.

After the recent Vintage Fly In and Military Vehicle Display at Sleap Airfield and the Welshpool Air Show I would like to share a few images of some of the Watercolours I painted at the two events. The weather was pretty rough at both days for the Event at Sleap and crowds were very low. I big thank you to the members of Shropshire Aeroclub who shared the Lecture room, and in particular Matt who supplied the home made burgers that were delicious, and his excellent home made wine. The Air Show at Welshpool was a brilliant day weather wise, with a full and excellent display of Aircraft. Good crowds and a good day Business wise, and I still managed to paint in between customers.

The annual Airshow at Welshpool Airport takes place on Sunday 8th June. Attractions include The red Arrows, Vulcan. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and a wide selection of Vintage Vehicles in the Festival of transport. I will be taking a selection of Paintings and Prints, so if you are in the area call in and say hello. Look out for the tent with a Red Arrows Print above the doorway.

The Bob Jones Memorial Airshow is on Sunday the 8th June at the Mid Wales Airport, Welshpool. A full programme of Exhibitors including the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Vulcan are due on the day. There is also the Festival of Transport running at the same time with a wide selection of Vintage Vehicles. See the Website for full details http://www.welshpoolairshow.co.uk

Organised by members of the Cheshire and Merseyside area MVT at Sleap Airfield Shropshire 24th and 25th May from 10am to 5pm each day. A large selection of Paintings, Prints and Greetings Cards by local Artist David Walker including the images below.

The Bike4life Fest was a great day last Sunday. The Weather was great for most of it apart from one really heavy shower when we suddenly made lots of new friends in our tent. The flypast by the Spitfire was fantastic, and there were lots of bikes there helping to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance and the Museum Displays section. It was a very busy day and unfortunately I didn't have too many opportunities to take photos. But these are the ones that I did manage to take. Off to Sleap near Wem for the Vintage Fly in and Military Vehicles on the 24th and 25th May, which is organised by the Cheshire and Merseyside area MVT. So looking forward to that one.

Thanks for the Best Wishes, If I get chance I'll try and take a few photos of the day.

Just a polite reminder, don't forget the Bike4life fest at Cosford this weekend. Fingers crossed for a dry day. I have heard the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be doing a fly past. Lots going on.

I forgot to add further details can be found on the Bike4Life website http://www.bike4lifefest.com

For the Motorcycle and Aviation Enthusiasts, there is a Charity Event at RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton on the 27th April. Entry is free, but the event is looking to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance and the upkeep of the exhibits at RAF Cosford. I will be there with the originals of the two print designs fort he Air Ambulance and maybe a bike painting or two. So do come along and say hello.(I might even have a military Vehicle image or two somewhere on display as well.)

Just a quick message to thank everyone for their input. there are some interesting comments, and considering the paintings were completed several years apart, I thought it would be nice to show them together to help with the question. I suppose in the end like a lot of things it boils down to personal preference. Thank you again.

For all of the Helicopter enthusiasts I wondered which image you prefer. Don't be shy, and do let me know your preferences.

Hi Paul, Just noticed your comment and saw your web address. Thought you might like this image

Here's a few more I have found from inside the Museum Guide

Sorting out my Plan Chest I found some more images of the Grange Cavern Museum in Holywell. I hope you like them. It certainly brought back a few memories for me, and of all the time spent there.

Welcome and do you have a website for the museum?

Hi Terry, Thank you for your enquiry. Obviously each job depends on content and detail within the image. The Jeep that I posted recently was 16.5" x 11.5" and would be in the region of £200. A smaller image wouldn't effect the price as it is more content, the amount of detail within the image. A Watercolour or Oil would be dearer, more in the region of £300. If you would like to have a look at some other work on my website, in the Military Gallery, please do http://www.david-walker.org.uk Turn around time will depend upon what work I have on at the time of the order, but usually within a week to two weeks at the most for pencil and a bit longer for watercolour or Oil. My terms are a deposit in advance and full payment upon completion. All work is guaranteed to the highest standard. If you would like to discuss anything further please feel free to give me a call on 01691 682169 I look forward to speaking further. Kind Regards, David.