"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.