I've always been fond of sketches and drawings, even more if they document the process of the creation of an artwork. Though sometimes rough, like the notebook of an writer they give insight in the ideas, inspiration and considerations of an artist. It's great luck if they survive as they were often disregarded and not considered worth collecting.
In S.W. Carline's case I actually prefer his delicate watercolours and sketches to some his oil paintings that IMHO are a bit crude. There's no accounting for taste
Sydney William Carline PART I
Carline joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1914. Later he was moved to the Department of Camouflage and sent to the Near East to record the war against the Turks.Forced Landing in the Desert of a British BE2E near Nasarije, Mesopotamia, September 1919
Watercolour on paper, 272 x 367 mm
Study a British BE2E biplane standing in the desert after a forced landing. Two men in RAF desert uniform and sola topees walk towards the viewer, each looking in the opposite direction. The featureless desert stretches into the distance and a plume of white smoke rises up from a spot on the horizon.
Over the Hills of Kurdistan: Flying above Kirkuk, 1919
Oil on canvas, 38 x 45 cm
Watercolour on paper, 266 x 325 mm
Sketchan aerial view from the rear cockpit of an RAF biplane showing the tail of the aircraft and three other planes following behind. The town of Kirkuk and the outlines of fields, including an airfield, are visible below, and in the distance there are rolling foothills leading up to high mountains.
Temporary Canvas Hangar for a Biplane, Italy, 1918
Watercolour on paper, 208 x 275 mma scene showing a temporary canvas hangar with two sides pulled up and RAF ground crew manoeuvering a biplane into position. There is a line of trees to the right and the foothills of the Italian Alps are silhouetted against the horizon.
Dog Fight on the Italian Front, 27 June 1918
Watercolour, ink on paper, 150 x 215 mm a small sketch of a dogfight between four German and two British aircraft against a blue sky and stylised clouds, which includes handwritten notes below. text: 'I want to give an idea of the jumble, the limitless space & at the same time the graceful & always balanced movement'.
'The picture that I have got in mind to do first is of a dog fight in the air...The proportions and positions of the machines are everything, as you may imagine. I have got more of the space, speed and grace of the machines, which is what I want. When it is finished I will go on to the 'Archie-burst over the Alps', but just at present this other one claims all my thoughts.' Extract from a letter to Richard Carline, 27 June 1918.
Three Studies of Flying Aircraft, Italy, 1918
Pencil, Watercolour on paper, 280 x 381 mma cartoon of three studies of biplanes in flight seen from the ground. The study in the bottom right shows a Sopwith Camel flying low over an airfield, with a canvas hangar and bell tent below.
