The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 11

At this point the artist has painted in the water reflecting the colors of the sky.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 10

After 3 weeks of preliminary work, Künstler has roughly painted in the colors of the sky to set the tonality of the painting.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 9

A. Künstler prepares to sketch his composition on the stretched canvas. The ruled grid lines he is making will match in proportion, the grid lines of sketch C seen on January 30th.

B. The finished sketch penciled on the canvas. The artist is now ready to paint.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 8

A, B, C - Some of the compositional sketches that Mort Künstler made during his process before creating the final composition for the H.L. Hunley painting.

D - Photograph of a model that helped Mort Künstler create the painting The Final Mission.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 7

Notes and diagrams that were used by the artist in his research for the H.L. Hunley painting, The Final Mission.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 6

Sketches that show how the H.L. Hunley was moored and how the gangplank worked.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 5

Studies made with the aid of Dr. Robert Neyland, project manager for the Hunley, which helped determine how the boom on the bow of the H.L. Hunley worked.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 4

Perspective studies Mort Künstler made on the site of the preservation tank of the Hunley to translate the actual dimensions into the correct perspective for the painting, The Final Mission.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 3

S.C. Senator Glenn McConnell, Chairman of The Hunley Commission, took Mort Künstler to Sullivans Island at Breach Inlet in Charleston to see the exact location from where the Hunley is believed to have departed on its final mission. Above are notes and sketches that Künstler took on this trip.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 2

While at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston, Künstler made on-the-site sketches of the H.L. Hunley and took notes.

The Making of a Masterpiece: The Final MissionPhase 1

Mort Künstler has been selected as an Official Artist for the H.L. Hunley. Mr. Künstler received the honor from the Hunley Commission, the non-profit organization supporting preservation and display of the historic craft. Mort Künstler's official painting of the Hunley, The Final Mission, will be released as a limited edition fine art print. Ship date: April 1, 2004.

A - As an Official Artist for the H.L. Hunley, Mort Kunstler studied the submarine in person at its Charleston lab, Warren Lasch Conservation Center. Pictured, left-to-right: Civil War historian Rod Gragg - who serves as a historical consultant to Mr. Künstler; Randall Burbage - a member of The Hunley Commission; Chairman of The Hunley Commission, S.C. Senator Glenn McConnell - who has been instrumental in the recovery and preservation of the craft; and Mr. Künstler.

B - The Hunley in its preservation tank at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center.