"Friesian" undertones

I am doing this painting a little differently than my last one. The teal paint is rather thick and even with a thinning medium doesn't seem to paint on very smooth, so I painted around the horse and then went back and used different colors on different areas for the undertones. I forgot to photograph it, so the pic on the left is a step past that point! In the photo above, I have started working more detail into the muzzle and above the noseband on the left (the horse's right).

New Painting

As I wait for Mateo's owner to give the final "ok" on his painting, I have begun another large (48" x 24") painting.

Being new to the "blog" world, I thought that I could have another blog with the same web address (artbylisajewell), that is not the case and I also can't seem to change the "Mateo Painting" name. NO PROBLEM!! Seeing how Mateo is spanish for Matthew, and the name Matthew is of Hebrew origin with the meaning "Gift of God"....with no formal art instruction I have always felt that this talent is one of God's many gifts to me....it works!

So you can follow along as I "stretch" myself with this particular painting...When I was attending the same dressage clinic that I had photographed Mateo, I photographed several other horses as well. One in particular stuck out in my mind and as I worked on the Mateo painting I had some ideas in my head for this other horse, another black, he is a Friesian stallion. After much thought I have decided to paint just his head! Yes, this is going to be a 4 foot tall horse head! If it works, like I have it pictured in my mind it will be Dramatic! If it doesn't, well I've wasted a canvas!

It's getting close!

I still need to re-work and soften the highlights on Mateo's hind quarter and barrel, but I am really really close. I will now stare at it for a few days and probably still make some very subtle changes! Then it gets a couple of days to dry and after that, 3-4 coats of gloss varnish.

Softening some highlights

Saturday was a SNOW day! I didn't go outside too much so was able to work quite a bit on the painting. I added some more highlights to Mateo's right hind, and softened the chest and shoulder area. I painted the white in on his markings and today will add in some gray for shading and to soften the edges of his star.

Layers

Yesterday I worked the muzzle, still needs more work, the edges of the nostrils and highlights, but I feel I am getting real close! I also started blocking in some more on the chest, and worked on the hind legs, this is the point where it seems to slow down some for me because I spend so much time staring and comparing to the photograph! I make subtle changes and when I think I am "there" I will start on the hooves and mane and tail!

Then I usually make more subtle changes before varnishing. The chest and shoulder area still need alot of details and softening, will try and work on that today, I say try...it is supposed to be 70 and sunny today, tough for me to stay inside! If it weren't so windy, I would take my easel to the front porch and paint!

More face

I worked more on the face yesterday...still need to work the nostrils and muzzle more and soften up some of the shading, but I am liking it more and more!

The Face

I started on the face yesterday. Am going to focus on it some more today, I don't think it looks slender enough! Narrowed it some yesterday and will continue to adjust shading today.

Adding some highlights

Yesterday I blocked in some of the highlights with a mixture of Paynes gray and white. Then I began layering more gray and black on the body. It is starting to take on a little more depth!

I think I may work on his head today.

I save hooves and mane & tail for last and work on the face and eye on and off through the middle!? :)

The beginnings of detail

Here is where it starts to get a little more fun! I am painting black on the darkest areas of Mateo.

Painting the Background

I chose "light blue permanent" (Liquitex acrylic) for the background, I will cover the entire canvas with paint which will give a blue undertone to the horse.

I then use Payne's gray to lightly fill in the majority of the horse.

drawing on canvas

Once I have chosen a photo to work from, I have it enlarged to an 8" x 10" and measure off 4" x 8", I then draw a grid on the photo of 1" squares, on my canvas I draw a grid of 6" squares. On such large works I find it much easier to draw each square, it keeps my drawing in proportion easier! My small works I just sketch looking at the photo without a grid. Once drawn in pencil, I then go over my drawing with a black permanent sharpie marker.

Layout

This could be totally boring to some, but I thought it might be fun to let you follow along as I paint!

I have been commissioned to do a 48" x 24" painting of a friend's dressage horse. His name is Mateo and he is an absolutely beautiful black horse! I have taken numerous photos of him and earlier this month was able to catch him on a sunny Oklahoma morning in an outdoor arena during a Sarah Martin clinic (she is a dressage trainer from Colorado that is wintering in Tennessee).

I chose this particular photo because I liked how his right hind leg was crossing over and the fact that he had his ears pricked forward. I had pictured him in my mind on a light blue background. When I talked with Jan, I asked her if she had a preference for background color...she said she really liked the color of the sky that day...YES!!