Yesterday, I went on a Guild of Aviation Artists sketching day at AeroExpo, a trade event at Wycombe Air Park. It was a step into the unknown for me as I had my first go at drawing helicopters.
For years I’d been meaning to try my hand at drawing these strange contraptions, but had always been distracted by fixed-wing aircraft. Yesterday, though, I was surrounded by helis in all shapes and sizes, and there was no longer any excuse for not having a go.
I started with the Bell 407. I know nothing about helicopters but this looked to me like an elegant machine and I liked the tilt of its rotor blades. To stay out of the way of other people walking past, I asked the people on the stand opposite if I could set up my easel on their little bit of astroturf. They kindly agreed.
This is the result of my efforts – my first ever go at a helicopter.
While I was working, the people on the stand came and had a look over my shoulder. They asked me if I would draw their helicopter, which was standing on the astroturf beside the stand. I agreed. Then, the people opposite, from Multiflight.com, asked if I’d do theirs as well!
I spent the whole day drawing these three helicopters. As soon as I’d finished the first pic, I went straight on to the next. Various people came to have a look at what I was doing, and said very complimentary things about my sketches. I was also photographed and filmed by the people doing the publicity for the AeroExpo event.
This is the second sketch – the Robinson R66 Turbine, owned by HeliAir.
By the time I got on to the third sketch, the Agusta Westland 109 Grand, the wind had picked up so I was having to hang on to my easel with one hand. The Multiflight people seemed delighted that I was doing their bird; the aircraft’s owner also came over to have a look. I didn’t manage to finish this one as the rain started, but here is the result:
The sketching day ended with all of us setting out our work in a dry corner of one exhibition hall, so we could compare notes. I was pretty tired at the end of the day, but very pleased with what I had done and the reaction to it. I was also grateful to the leader of our GAvA regional group, Richard, for getting us in to the event.