If I could be good comrade, I guess this would be my poster?
From time to time, on various web sites as well magazines are started harsh conversations about accuracy, precision and authentic. All subjects are covered, drawings, illustrations as well scale models. One part of my life I lived in socialism and what remember from that time is committee. But if you think that you live on West and you have no such ‘institution’, you are damn wrong. They are even stronger and same level of arrogance and egocentric as in left orientated countries.
Few years ago I work on one illustration and work direct from blueprints. Member of committee return my illustration in progress few times with note that engine cowling is not good. Last time I send him this, where is visible layer engine cowling as base and answer was- now shape is good… those before was not? Or someone was evil there?
Basic problem is that most of them think that draftsman or illustrator is such a stupid person who just have skill in computer software and his only task is to strictly follow directions he get and keep silent. This result in brutal mistakes made, either on drawings as well color profiles which soon or later get exposed. Of course, all blame draftsman or illustrator and committee stay untouched and hidden. Other group of error creators, are those familiar or with sympathy from publisher. Problem is that this person did not gain that position by quality work but his good position is based on other things. They have freedom to do anything they want, including making errors. Good battleground is various forums and discussion groups, where they have his friends and fan’s so any criticism is fast silenced. Like in socialism, ‘he is good comrade and he cannot make mistake, what you say is result of enemy propaganda’.
Thrust me, this Dutch fighter never had any wheel cover during service (in any country) but then on scene comes committee…
I know few good people, who make drawings on base of engineering drawings, manuals, archive photos and in many cases taking measurement of preserved airplane and they are give up from publishing. What we have today? Copy of copy, someone copy other drawings or illustrations and claim it as new work. Publications are full of such work and magazine owners are greatly support that. Antagonism among the people from the branch should not be forgotten and it reaches sometimes in strong level of hate. In those circumstances, first victim is accuracy. Winners are those who are louder and more disrespect other person.
Well, not everything is so dark, when you are respected and accpeted as regular contributor, then you can do your best. Thanks to that many good works can be made, like this Arado floatplane bottom protection paint, never did before on any similar kit of the type
From my side, I never evaluate others works. Never know what story is behind and if there are errors, what cause that error. Of course, works of ‘good comrades’, I never take a look as well they are allowed to do anything. Rivet counters are one special group of people and would not say anything but- I never seen their drawings or illustrations. I am the only from Serbia who work continuously for commercial aviation magazines for a many years and have published so many drawings and over 2000 of illustrations. Here is more respected those who did not publish anything. If you can live from this type work, you will be hated much. Publishers and manufacturers provide you material and products for free… rage and fury against you. If you even dare to have beautiful young woman near you, no doubt you are Public Enemy in Serbia. This is why we collapse in all terms of living… oooppsss- not ‘we’, they, I am so fine. As free lancer, I can say that market know perfect what is good and what is not, this is why many publishers fall down and some still standing.
Nothing special to say, just a day in a illustrator’s life
Well, time for beer 😛 … and you will not going to see my works in a publications for a while. Or maybe will?
Srecko Bradic