PJHSA Model Hunter Division 5-22-16

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Sketch of a horse

"Untitled"
Sharpie pen
5.5x8.5

Study of a study: Leonardo da Vinci

"Study of a rearing horse: Leonardo da Vinci"
Sharpie pen
5.5x8.5

A couple of my teachers throughout the years have recommended replicating art that you admire as a method of improvement in technique.  I pulled up some images of sketches by Leonardo da Vinci, and chose this one as my reference.  

I used a Sharpie pen, whereas da Vinci used red chalk in his drawing.  The feel is a lot different as a result.  His lines and shading have a much more organic feel to them, which makes sense given that many of his studies were in preparation for sculpture.  My lines are sharp and crisp, and I had to rely on crosshatching for a similar result to da Vinci's shading.  

It is interesting to see where he experimented with different anatomical placements of the horse's head and legs.  These conscious choices can make a huge difference in the impact of a piece; I am striving to be more aware of my choices when creating art.  While I was working on this piece, I felt the most focused and inspired that I have in quite some time.  I suppose that studying the great artists will do that.

Freehand Andalusian

"Andalusian"
Sharpie pen
5.5x8.5

I was standing outside yesterday, admiring the balmy October afternoon, when a little niggling thought popped up.  "You haven't drawn anything in over a week now.  You really ought to update your blog."  An image of a proud Spanish horse, mane flowing and neck arched, came to my mind.  I like to draw the Iberian horses the best- the Lipizzaners, Friesians, and Andalusians.  There is such grace, strength, and beauty in their conformation.  They are the Adonis of horses.

This was a freehand, no reference drawing.  There are some liberties taken with the horse's conformation, and as usual when I draw without reference, his eyes are too high up on his head.  It's not as noticeable as usual, so there has been some improvement.  The foreshortening of the right foreleg is a little awkward but gets the job done without detracting from the overall image.  I could spend more time on the shadowing and crosshatching.  There is a heavy reliance on line in the drawing, especially on contour lines.  While there is nothing "wrong" about that, some classic instructors and critics might turn their nose up.  I'm no da Vinci, but even he used a lot of contour lines.  I think I may try replicating some of his sketches to improve my own art.

Music, some of Bob Langrish's photos have blurry bits, and drawing on a large scale

"Untitled by Bmode"
India ink on Bristol board
18x24

I was knocked out by a pretty ugly stomach bug for the past couple of days, and only this afternoon was I able to rise out of bed for more than the necessities.  I had recently cleaned my studio space at home.  As I stood on knees as wobbly as a newborn foal's and stared at my desk, I decided that I would draw something, and something big.  I opened up my portfolio from my student days, where to my delight I discovered that I still have a few pristine sheets of Bristol board.  It's a fine, smooth paper, and yields incredibly crisp results.  

I knew I was going to draw a horse (no surprises there), so I went through one of my coffee table books on the subject and chose a photo by Bob Langrish for my reference.  For those of you who don't know, Bob Langrish is pretty much the god of equine photographers.  He has shot nearly any equine subject that I can think of, and many of his Horse Illustrated magazine posters graced my walls when I was a kid.  I may or may not have a slight inferiority complex when it comes to my art, so it was an utter revelation when I was looking at these photos and noted that the whole horse was NOT entirely in focus all the time!  It's really hard to get crisp photos of a horse moving at speed, and I felt so much better about myself  when I saw blurry hooves in some of his photos of horses galloping.  Because, guess what, a lot of my photos are somewhat similar.  Of course, nearly everything else is totally on point- the lighting, the composition, et cetera- yet I felt a little relieved that I didn't necessarily have to be so ridiculously harsh on myself about such a technical point.  Equine photography is often about capturing a moment of beauty, grace, and power, and the feelings that these great animals inspire in us.  Piffle if the hooves are a bit blurry.

I set up my workstation, put on a bit of music, and went to work.  Music is a part of the human identity, and therefore also a part of an artist's identity.  Even as early as seventh grade, I remember my art teachers putting on the radio and us kids getting our creative groove on.  It was especially a big deal in my high school drawing classes, where our teacher allowed us to bring in CD's of our own.  I discovered a few new artists like this, but I owe a lot of my taste in music to my older brothers.  For art making purposes, I gravitate towards classical, trip-hop, electronica, ambient and downtempo.  There's a free online radio station called Jango that has helped me discover even more artists, such as Bmode, Nightmares on Wax, and Aphex Twin.  I've also become extremely fond of Nujabes, whose music is unfortunately awfully expensive to buy, but there is a good Youtube mix out there if you fancy trying him out.

Getting the horse's proportions down first with a pencil sketch took awhile, with the front legs below the knee giving me the most difficulty.  I was fairly successful, given that I don't often draw on a large scale like this.  Originally, I was going to use gouache paint, but my tubes of paint had dried solid.  Next to the gouache was a canister of unopened India ink.  It was a smashing success, and I do believe there will be more experimentation with the medium.  It felt magical and effortless as I wielded brush and ink over Bristol.  I know that there's a lot more to India ink than crisp lines, but it served my purpose so very well in this regard.

Spirit Horse in Charcoal

"Spirit Horse"
charcoal
11x14

For the first time in a while, I drew something bigger than my tiny little sketchbook that fits in my bag and comes along to work with me. I was inspired to revisit one of my favorite sketches so far and try it out in a larger size. Using charcoal has a much different effect than mechanical pencil or pen. Here it lends a softer, more whimsical feel to the piece than did my previously uploaded mechanical pencil edition. I wasn't originally going to shade the drawing, but I took a phone call during the creative process and absently began cross-hatching the right hind leg. This isn't what a fine artist would call a "finished" drawing, but I was happy with myself that I went outside of my normal zone. Progress should be celebrated, even as a critical eye notes what could be done better.

5/31/15 Mini-Stirrup Changewater Schooling Show: Colby

How to order photos: 

Please email or call me with the name of the division and the number of the picture(s) you would like, in the dimensions desired.  Pricing will include the cost of the print, shipping, and labor.  I print through CVS, which is more affordable but lesser quality, or through Simply Color Lab, which is higher quality but higher price.  If you also ride at Changewater Stables, I can arrange to have the photos dropped off there since I lesson with Maren- this will negate the shipping charge.  Payment can be mailed in check form to my home address (which I will provide you with upon placing an order), or with cash if I am dropping the photos off at Changewater.

Enjoy!

Saguaro Spirit

"Saguaro Spirit"
pencil sketch

 I'm back!  I have done a few sketches in my (online) absence, and these are the most recent ones.  Today begins the renewal of my goal of drawing every day.  "Saguaro Spirit" is a free-hand, no reference sketch.  I was thinking of my horse, Lola, and how she often peers out of her stall down towards the pasture and the pond at the bottom.  My spirit horses seem to be the most unique and fun expression of my style, so I will probably be spending a lot more time on them.  I will eventually translate this from quick sketches to large paintings.  This style and subject would have great presence in a larger format.

"Thinking of Dali's Elephants"
pen sketch

I'd like to say that the disproportionate conformation of this horse was intentional, but it was purely accident.  My brain was probably shocked that I was asking it to draw again.  As you can see, head, neck, and body are all proportionate to one another- but something disconnected when it came to drawing the legs.  They became elongated and large, a grown horse with foal's legs.  However, it is not an unpleasant effect, and perhaps even benefits the drawing with artistic license.  I may try to replicate the style on purpose in the near future.

Ghost horse

"Wraith"
charcoal
9x13

This was a free-hand drawing that had been kicking around in my mind for a while, and I finally had the opportunity to sit in my home office and bring the thought to life.  The critic in me says that this is certainly not a finished drawing, but the artist in me asks if it has to be a finished drawing for it to be good.  It is interesting, though, that my style of drawing and my preferred subject matter is not always the sort of art I would like hanging in my home.  I suppose that our innermost thoughts are not often meant to be displayed.

Pleasure Horse- Benefit Show for Casey's Equestrian Center

How to order photos: 

Please email or call me with the name of the division and the number of the picture(s) you would like, in the dimensions desired.  Pricing will include the cost of the print, shipping, and labor.  I print through Staples, which is more affordable but lesser quality, or through Simply Color Lab, which is higher quality but higher price.  If you also ride at Changewater Stables, I can arrange to have the photos dropped off there since I lesson with Maren- this will negate the shipping charge.  Payment can be mailed in check form to my home address (which I will provide you with upon placing an order), or with cash if I am dropping the photos off at Changewater.

Enjoy!

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