This began as a bit of a cheeky remark: On Facebook I spotted an image of a Lightning F2A, coming down low for a landing. I messaged “This needs painting!” Shortly afterwards I was asked about costs.
Well, that started a process and we agreed on a size and composition. It turned out that my client, Steve Gyles, the Lightning’s pilot, was captured making his last ever landing while with 19 Squadron, at RAF Gutersloh, Germany.
I couldn’t find a reference image of sufficient detail so I decided on an unusual approach: to keep all but the aircraft as fairly loose – almost Van Gogh style. My plentiful Lightning references (books and online) enabled me to detail the aircraft as I wanted, as the aircraft alone was about 18” wide, which demanded good detail. A consequence was that the Lightning felt like it was almost 3D.
I was more than pleased to deliver the painting to Steve – and to see his face when he finally saw the result in the ‘canvas’ !
now available as a bespoke print. Please ask for details.