continued

Carried on working on the first horse today. Got lots more shading in and beginning to sort out the lights and darks. This helps with determining what goes where as it literally puts the portrait into sections as you look at it. A bit like the method of using grids. I can now work out where to put individual details in relation to other areas of light and shadow.

Hopefully more tomorrow :D

3 show jumpers commission cont.

Ok, got on a bit with this yesterday.
Started by putting down some very watery paint to give my some ideas of lights and darks and chestnut tones.

Then had to fiddle and started putting a little more detail into the first one! Ran out of time though as had to pick up the girls from school.
More today !! back soon..

New Commission .

Ok, new commission started. So far drawn out and transfered onto canvas. Didnt plan to do anymore today but couldnt stop myself from starting a background as have a free rein on this one :D
This is the 2nd portrait I have done for this customer so they are happy for me to decide how it will look best. I love that, allows me to free up my artistic hand and play a bit. If I dont like it, I will change the background once the horses are painted in. But for now , I have this vision in my head how I want it to look so I am going with the flow. These pics show the drawing , then adding in the basics of the background.
It will need a little more blending I think? and tidying up later.
ANy way ..as always comments welcome :D

Caprice and Solo finished

Solo and Caprice, finished and approved !

Painter Magazine Article.

For the first time. I have been asked to do an article in a magazine!

It's a drawing horses article in "Painter" magazine and will be out on 10th Sept 2009 (issue no 34 ) .

It goes throught the steps of drawing horses using basic shapes. Seperate advise on drawing eyes, legs and face included. Then finally bringing you onto more detailed muscle shaping and general shading. The final image is shown with a little colour using watercolour pencil.

You can purchase copies in good newsagents or online. :)

Caprice and Solo nearly done !

Ok... back from short break. Took kids to the Isle of Wight camping for the first time. They had a fantastic time and the weather was very kind to us. Even had to get out the suntan lotion!

Just started back at work and thought I would update you on the progress as it is today. I am getting cracking on finishing Caprice and Solo and should be finished by the end of this week. I am also starting on the next one too. So will post a photo of how that one is going so far.

This is not a great photo (sorry) the light is coming in from the workshop window and shining hard on Caprice's nose. Also its putting Solo a bit in the dark. The final photo will be more even.

Anyway here is where we are at !! comments welcome :)

solo and caprice continued!!

Continued work on Solo and Caprice. Think (possibly) that Caprice may be done?.. not sure may find something to fiddle with when I look again.

Anyway, worked on more layers for Solo. Looking slightly more like him now. But a long way to go :)

As always, comments welcome. :)