General Palmer's Pride, 1881

[Speedster]

I was recently commissioned to create a dust jacket and frontspiece image for an upcoming book on the Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad, which ran in the high Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  I posted it at https://www.keyshot.com/forum/index.php/topic,9076.0.html.

I just finished another image, to be run double-truck (across two pages) in the center signature. I had to compose it such that the locomotive would not fall into the gutter, or fold, of the book.

This class C-16 locomotive, built in 1881, was the first of several hundred that were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and was commissioned by General William Jackson Palmer, founder and president of the railroad, and a soon-to-be "tycoon".  The railroad served the many gold and silver mines in Colorado, and also ran into New Mexico.

She is shown in the original builder's livery, which was very colorful and elegant.  She was Palmer's "baby", and he really showed her off.  Originally used for passenger service, we "commandeered" her for a critical late fall freight run, as I did not want to model the period correct passenger cars.  At this time the locomotives were kept immaculate, and often two 'wiper boys" rode in the cab to spruce her up at each water stop, about 15 miles apart.

SolidWorks, KeyShot 5 Pro, and way too much time in Photoshop!  About 40 layers, mostly foliage, and many adjustment layers to bring everything into balance.  Made good use of the clown pass!  I always finish my prints with about 2% noise, and a 5%-8% Warming Filter overall to tone everything together. I spent two days in the Santa Fe National Forest (Ski Basin), at about 11,000 feet, shooting backplates.  It's late fall here, so the trees are changing, and it's absolutely beautiful.  This backplate was perfect for this image.

Bill G

[edwardo]

Very nice! I love the driver, and all the foliage looks great 

My eyes are drawn into the wheels and machinery down low, I think because they feel too bright/clean!? But thats just me nit-picking'. Sorry, thats the downside of posting a really nice image - all thats left to do is home-in on the minor details.

Ed

[Josh3D]

Beautiful image Bill. Is a bit clean, but I think it's going to look great on the book.

[Speedster]

My eyes are drawn into the wheels and machinery down low, I think because they feel too bright/clean!?

Good catch, and thanks!  It's the result of not having geometry behind the loco, so you see the backplate, of course.  But also too much light gets in. The underframe, especially between the wheels, should be in full shadow, as would most of the wheel flanges.  The two center drivers do not have flanges, due to the very tight track curvature used.  I'll dive back in on this!

Thanks again!!

Bill G

[feher]

Once again great work !
The engine is a little too clean compared to the other cars. I wouldn't mind seeing you push the foreground middle ground and background some with tones and use of warm and cool to create a little more depth. Warm in the front cool in the back creates depth.
My door is always open if you want some additional help.


Its a keeper
Tim

[Speedster]

Thanks for the help, guys!  I worked a lot on this today, adding a receding cooling filter to the right, shadow under the loco, dirt and soot (just a little!) and a bunch of other stuff.  I think I'll have to call this one finished before I lose my sanity!

After Tim's suggestion, I remembered my mom's instruction to her painting students.  Always use a soft and hazy mauve in the distance, cool in the middle ground and warm in the foreground to force distance.  So true!  She was a professional artist for some 80 years!

Bill G