Sunday, July 13, 2008

Horse in coloured pencil

Coloured pencil
10x14 inches

At the beginning of the year I set myself a goal/challenge to draw and paint more horses - 35 to be exact - quite simply to ‘get to know them better’. Unfortunately I’ve never had the opportunity to draw or paint one to commission and if I’m being honest found the thought of doing so a bit daunting in case I didn’t get it quite right. I’ve listened to far too many stories I think, about how critical horse people can be with portraits, hence my trepidations:) Dogs and other animals I am comfortable with and my aim is to be the same with horses.

So any spare art time I have these days is usually spent working on a horse of some description or other and have to say I love drawing them. This is one I started, would you believe, back in January - shows just how little time I actually find to spend on my own work, though it was put to one side for a bit so I could do other stuff.

Sadly at this stage it is without a title though I have been giving it a lot of thought – any suggestions? I’m also in two minds as to whether or not to add a background - any thoughts? I like it as it is and say no but an artist friend thinks differently. Decisions, decisions - think I’ll need to sit on it for a bit and decide later.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another lovely portrait, what about a faint seaside behind, I can imagine a soft focus St Andrews beach behind. I don't know if you have photoshop but I would try a few backrounds out on the computer first before commiting yourself. Good luck

Gillian McMurray said...

This is a beautiful portrait. I think it looks great as it is. It shows off the detail and does not detract from the horse. Just my opinion though.

Gayle Mason said...

Really beautiful, I like everything about it.
I wouldn't add a background at this stage as whatever colour(s) you use will affect your horse.
It works well as it is.

Laura said...

Thank you:)

Info, if only it were that simple:) Photoshop and myself don't get on and I can never seem to get it to do what it should do - I keep promising myself to try a lot harder though as I find myself needing it more and more:)

Gillian and Gayle, I'm so pleased you think it looks fine as it is as although that's my personal opinion too I did have my doubts. I'd be so upset if I did add something and it didn't turn out - I think that settles it for me, thank you:)