HORSE DRINKING - Stage 5

My final step here was to use some Paynes grey for deeper shadows and definition. I paint int he eye, add hoof hair detail and some shadows in the horses mane. I use the paint like watercolor, very fluid and blend it with a small flat brush with soft bristles or use my finger.  I add in new highlights with a color mixed previously in stage 3. I use a small round brush to put in the finishing touches and signature.

The most fulfilling thing about finishing a painting and hanging it is.....

STARING A NEW ONE;)

HORSE DRINKING - Stage 4

So in this stage I did in fact finish the background. I added highlights on the water ripples. I also added dark mud mounds and worked on the light brown reflection in the puddle.  I applied a thin glaze (or wash) of Burnt Sienna over the horse to knock back the contrast of the highlights.

Work in progress for : www.saddleupestates.ca

My final steps for this painting will be to move down to a smaller brush an to go back in with darks and highlights and to add fine details.

HORSE DRINKING - Stage 3

If you are following this blog then you will have seen my prior posting of the horse drinking water painting that I am creating for an equestrian ranch started by my aunt and uncle. Find out more here: www.saddleupestates.ca

This is what I consider the third stage.  I first block in my darkest areas. Then to add depth I add a little white to the main color, in this care Burnt Sienna and fill in the masses. Afterward, I add a little more white and create the highlights. You can really begin to see the horse as it is flushed out.

The next step, for me, is to sit back and look an take it all in before I proceed to the next stage. More than likely I'll block in the remainder of the background and water.

HORSE DRINKING - STAGE 2

I've been painting away. The drawing I did didn't make it. It got covered in paint.

I drew on canvas and before I took a snapshot of the preliminary sketch for a painting, I was knee deep in the paint.  I suppose you could say I was a little excited to get started.  I was asked to do another painting of a horse for the equestrian ranch because the last one was an, and I quote, "awesome painting".

Here is photoed (mind the flash) the second stage of my painting process.  I block in the initial horse with burnt sienna.  Then I put in washes of Yellow ochre, cerulean blue blended with titanium white for the blurry background. My next step is to drip paint form either sides to add more intense blues and ochres to the composition. This also helps to add linear horizontal reference points to base my water ripples.

You can already get a sense of the depth of the background and movement of foreground elements.

My next step is to block in my darkest tones and to use that to establish the middle values.