How the picture comes together from an idea to the finished painting.

In any picture, the idea is the most important aspect to ensuring a interesting painting, it must resonate with the viewer almost instantly. The idea for Drop Zone: St. Mere Eglise had been in my head for years. Prompted by a friend's request, I drew up the sketch below. There is no research, just the general idea roughly drawn. This helps preserve the thought and its merits discussed and evaluated.

Research for a painting takes several forms, consuming many hours of historical detective work. The painting must contain everything that should be in it and nothing that shouldn't and must be painted as if you were there regardless of when and where the picture is set. The artist is responsible for all aspects of the picture; ultimately his name is on the final product. The telling of someone's story and making the effort to obtain as much information as possible is crucial in depicting the event accurately and skimping on the research almost always comes back on you.

One starting point for this painting was available WWII photographs such as the three shown above. Examining them against the modern photographs of the town allows you to note the changes that occurred following the war. Why spend so much time doing research and building the village? The answer is when a WWII veteran like Spencer Wurst points to a cluster of trees at the edge of town and says we buried 9 paratroopers in parachutes right here, or when Jim Rigas picks out a house next to the church and says this is where I picked up a Nazi flag and brought it back home, it makes all the hours worth while.