Product Description

This second volume of Air Combat legends by Nicolas Trudgian shows 50 aviation paintings, most completed since the artist's first volume was published in 1998. One of the world's most popular painters of military subjects, Nick's fascinating narrative compliments this splendid collection of aviation art. - Trudgian's clever interplay of light, shadow and colour, set in boundless landscapes and fascinating skies, provide intensely exciting snapshots of aerial combat not achievable with the camera. - The artist's detailed narrative describes the background to each painting, his methods of research, discussions with combat aircrews, and how these relate to his finished canvases. - The paintings, none of which has appeared in Trudgian's previous successful volume, are supported with wonderfully detailed pencil drawings - a medium in which the artist excels. - Renowned and much admired for the wealth of detail found in his works, Trudgian's paintings maintain a freshness that can be returned to time and time again. - Trudgian brings a reality and authenticity to this work that has made him a favourite with the pilots and crews of the combat aircraft featured in his paintings - an accolade achieved by very few aviation artists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #606617 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Review
One of the world's most popular painters of military subjects presents 50 full colour aviation paintings, including depictions of aerial combat not achievable with the camera, supported by detailed pencil drawings and the artist's narrative. Will be launched at Duxford Air Show.

Customer Reviews

An excellent introduction to Aviation Art
Nicholas Trudgian has compiled a wonderful selection of his excellent aviation paintings in this fine volume. The technical proficiency of Trudgian is beyond doubt, but he also has a brilliant sense of setting and context that allow his paintings to come alive. The exciting and highly emotive nature of his subject gives his work an energy of its own. The planes often seem to leap off the page, continuing a desperate aerial struggle that was fought out more than a generation ago. Trudgian captures the speed, the fury, the exhilaration and the tragedy of history's greatest ever air war. Each picture is filled with detail, yet the overall grandeur of the piece is not lost in the process. Truly Trudgian ranks alongside other great aviation artists like Robert Taylor and John Young.

The book has a fascinating preface by Gunther Rall, one of the Luftwaffe's leading aces. Throughout, the paintings are accompanied by helpful text, which provides information on the historical context of each painting and often gives interesting insights into the particular artistic challenges of the painting. The lengthy introduction provides a good condensed biography of Trudgian himself, and leads into a highly interesting "walk through" of the process of creating a painting, taking us from the first concept sketches through to the final oil painting of a scene at the battle of Kursk.

This is an excellent collection of very fine paintings. I did not feel that the book had in any way been 'padded out' with the inclusion of tedious or sub-standard work. Each painting was impressive and many are emotionally evocative. If you are interested in World War II aviation, this book is a must-have.

A stunning collection of superb ariel paintings!
Nicholas Trudgians book sits proudly along side those of that aclaimed air warfare artist Robert Taylor, managing to depict similar scenarios with a bold and vibrant style. As is the norm for this type of work Nicholas has taken documented moments in air combat and translated them into highly detailed, well composed and superbly executed paintings that bring to life the awesome beauty of these aircraft (if you like this sort of thing). There are notes to accompany the plates that provide absorbing background detail as to what each scene depicts... A terrifically well made , well presented book for all lovers of aircraft and art!

Another Wonderful Compilation
Nicholas Trudgian has done it again. His first Air Combat Legends book was a wonderful compilation of thrilling and evocative aviation art. His attention to detail is matched by the emotional excitement and involvement wrapped up in each painting. Clearly an artist of the highest technical proficiency, Trudgian also manages to incorporate a sense for setting and context that truly engage the viewer. Each richly detailed painting is accompanied by text which provides helpful backround to the events portrayed on the canvas, and the introductions provides a wonderful insight into the world of the aviation artist. This is a truly worthwhile book that stands on its own as a worthy tribute to the heroism of aviators in the Second World War. I would recommend it to anyone interested in either good painting or Second World War history.