Need Expert Advice

Denis Loubet

Space Marshal
Hi guys, it's me again, the original Wing Commander artist.

I'm doing a couple of pictures for my Patrons, but since they're pictures of the Avatar and Bluehair I figure I have to make the art available to my Ultima and Wing Commander fans as well. It's only fair!

So here's the rough sketch of Bluehair in his leather bomber jacket:
bluehair_by_dloubet-dbmqory.jpg

What I need to know is what pins, medals, bars, and patches he should have on the jacket. (I should also probably remove the Han Solo belt buckle and holster strap I have inexplicably added.)

Once I finish the piece my Patrons will get a copy a couple of days early, but then I'll post it here for all you guys. (With suitable gratitude, of course!)

I know I worked on the original art for the game, but you fans have been the caretakers of the game for so long that you are the arbiters of what's official now, and I bow to your superior knowledge and judgment.

--Denis

P.S. Yes, the drawing of the Avatar is similarly introspective.
 
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Hi Denis,
Looks good! In terms of his medals or ribbon bar it will depend on what stage he is at when this "photo" was taken. This will also have influence on his jacket (i.e. is it WIng 1 Blair or Wing 2 Blair? I assume WIng 1) Here is a screenshot showing the front on view of the jacket from Wing 1. His name tag, a set of wings, some rank indicators and some epaulets are present.


I don't remember there being any logos on the upper arm like in later wing commanders.
Skip to 1:25 for further views.
 

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I actually love the Han Solo belt... but if you really feel the need to scrap it, just lose the holster band. Without it, its just a belt ;)
 
Hi Denis,
Looks good! In terms of his medals or ribbon bar it will depend on what stage he is at when this "photo" was taken. This will also have influence on his jacket (i.e. is it WIng 1 Blair or Wing 2 Blair? I assume WIng 1) Here is a screenshot showing the front on view of the jacket from Wing 1. His name tag, a set of wings, some rank indicators and some epaulets are present.

Perfect! Yes, I'm going for a Wing Commander 1 vibe here. The picture I'm doing might as well be at this point in his career, so I'll take that screenshot as gospel. :)

Another question: I always thought the big heart-with-wings medal he's wearing was pretty much a direct rip-off of some airline logo or tin medal handout, but google doesn't turn up any clear heart-and-wings medals. There's all sorts of shield-and-wings, and propeller-and-wings logos, so I guess my memory is completely fabricating a real-world version of that WC medal? If so, I've been needlessly embarrassed over that for years! :oops:

I actually love the Han Solo belt... but if you really feel the need to scrap it, just lose the holster band. Without it, its just a belt ;)

I'll consider that! It just seemed to fit his pose, dammit! ;)

Anyway, thanks a million guys! I'll put this information to good use.

--Denis
 
Not that he should necessarily be fully loaded up for your drawing, but here's a possible chest you can have by the end of The Secret Missions 1

whistlers_medals.png
 
I wonder if we can figure out what his medals should look like canonically. He should have the missing medal (Golden Sun) since he'd have earned it in Word of Honor...
 
Would he really wear the medals everywhere he goes? The drawing looks like a casual pose; ribbons, yes, but maybe not medals.
 
Also, remember that pixels weren't square in those days; the screenshot should actually be slightly taller (4:3 instead of 8:5).
 
Ribbons yes model no. If it helps here are some pics. Didn't he only have three on in WC4 and Prophecy? What were those three?
 

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He has three in WC3 and WC4, though they're different from game to game. He has eight in Prophecy.
 
bluehair_by_dloubet-dboc61k.png


Finished the picture. Social media has access to the 30% resolution versions of the art, but because of all your help I'm giving you guys 30%, 50%, and 100% resolution versions in jpeg and PNG!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iy9zchsaccyd85n/BlueHair30.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kcfig7yxlkg1iqb/BlueHair30.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/r3wmto8qmxe98bs/BlueHair50.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/37cuac83zukuots/BlueHair50.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zneknmyjjrf9u8q/BlueHair100.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nsjgtjw23s4cs2q/BlueHair100.png?dl=0

You'll note I left the name badge off. Bluehair was only a placeholder name to begin with, and really his name is whatever you typed in when you played the game! :cool:

Enjoy, and thank you so much for all your help! :D

--Denis
 
Stunning work Denis.

So our man had this picture taken when he was a second looie just landed on the 'claw. :)
 
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Thank you for your efforts and collaboration with the community, Mr Loubet. Maybe it's just the beard, but Bluehair looks a bit older and more grizzled than how I imagine him from WC1. Although, I suppose while you were aiming for the WC1 appearance, he could have elements from both WC1 and WC2 and Mark Hamill's portrayal all rolled in together.

Very pensive indeed. Wake up, Maverick, it's time for your next mission!
 
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