Major Billy Barker & his Pterosaur Squadron
Oil on canvas, 2009.
Sometimes as an artist, I get an image full-blown in my mind; that was the case here. Composition, lighting, hues.
I needed some details for the biplanes. So I did a bit of online poking, and found the story of a true Canadian adventurer, perfect to add to my concept painting. Major William George “Billy” Barker was a World War 1 flying ace and Victoria Cross recipient who flew Sopwith Camels against German Fokkers.
Although I could not find any information indicating he fought against the infamous Red Baron, Manfred Von Richtofen, I thought these two ace pilots would heighten the drama in this alternate history. Of course, Major Billy Barker has a trick up those RAF sleeves: his fighting pterosaur squadron, made up of Quetzalcoatlus northropi.
Links and more here .
(Currently not available as a print, until it dries and gets a proper scan – let me know if you’d like to see a print available!)
Major Billy Barker & his Pterosaur Squadron belongs to the following groups:
Sci Fi
theyellowfury
Yeah apparently dinosaurs evolved into the Avro aircraft company. Really nice ideas, skilled painting
Glendon Mellow
Thanks YellowFury! I had a lot of fun with the clouds.