Project Heroes » commemorate http://www.projectheroes.ca Canada Honours Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:53:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Cpl. David Braun http://www.projectheroes.ca/cpl-david-braun/ http://www.projectheroes.ca/cpl-david-braun/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:18:00 +0000 admin http://www.projectheroes.ca/index2.php/cpl-david-braun/

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The completed portrait of Cpl. David Braun

As we work on Project Heroes™, it is important to us to convey an indication of the soldiers’ characters – something that is hard to achieve from their official military photos that are quite serious and straight-faced.Cpl. David Braun was a sincere pleasure to paint. My studio was so cheerful looking at this handsome, smiling soldier as I completed his oil portrait.

I made a preliminary drawing (see below) and put a layer of color on without worrying about being too exact with the drawing as it changes slightly here and there as I apply paint and reassess it.

Each layer builds the painting to a higher level. I build my skin tones from the basic undertones, which in this case was very pink. I work in layers often, but occasionally tackle a portrait more directly, depending on how I think I can achieve the best result.
It was our sincere pleasure to have spent time with David’s mother, getting to know a lot more about him. This helped have a true sense of what he was like which is essential in order to create a good portrait.
Every time we meet with the families, I am awed by their openness, their sharing, and their strength. Without their support, we would be unable to do this and we thank them for that, as well as for the incredible sacrifice their soldier made. We hope that this project will help ensure their loved one will always be remembered.
- Susan Abma

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The rough drawing and start of the first layer.

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Getting closer to completion.

]]> http://www.projectheroes.ca/cpl-david-braun/feed/ 0 And we’re off… http://www.projectheroes.ca/and-were-off/ http://www.projectheroes.ca/and-were-off/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:54:00 +0000 admin http://www.projectheroes.ca/index2.php/and-were-off/

photo23This week Shairl and Susan will be heading for Saskatchewan. We will be visiting the families of several of the fallen Canadian soldiers to gather some information to ensure that the paintings we do of our Canadian heroes are as true to their characters as we can possibly achieve post-humously.

Some other information gathered, such as emails and letters they sent home, etc. will be used in the exhibition as well.

If you are interested in reading more about our project, please see www.projectheroes.ca .

The above portrait is a sample painting of a model, not a soldier in the Canadian Military. Paintings of the ‘real’ soldiers will be rotated on the Project Heroes™ site as they are completed.

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