Front Field II - Lone Pony

Today I am painting with the Buckhorn Artists' Group and I decided to work in pen and ink.

I pulled out this drawing that I had started a number of years ago (see posts on 18 June and 19 July 2017, 13 January and 10 May 2020) and decided that it was about time it was completed.











At lunchtime the Group decided that we would be able to hold our 30th Annual "Shades of Summer" Art Show and Sale again on 12-14 August (provided it doesn't get cancelled due to a rise in Covid-19 cases).

This drawing once it has been matted and shrink wrapped will be available for $45.00.

Pinto News Illustration September 1981

I came across a copy of the September 1981 Pinto News, which features on the cover the logo I designed for them (see post on 24 November 2015) and one of my illustrations of Pinto horses.

This one was a head study of a horse with a Western Snaffle Bridle.

















I don't remember how many of these illustrations I did for the Ontario Pinto Horse Association for their Newsletter, but then again they were created in 1980 which is 40 years ago.

So, it will be interesting to see if I come across any more of them.

Front Field II - Lone Pony - A Work in Progress

Today I wanted to continue with this pen and ink drawing that I had been working on earlier this year (see posts on 18 June and 19 July 2017 and 13 January 2020).

I started by putting the trees into the background, followed by the lower bushes.

Next, I completed the background by adding in the grasses at the base of the trees.











I put a bush into the middle area on the left side and added some clumps of grass around it.

Lastly, I added a few details to the pony.

I will post this drawing at a later date as more work on it is completed.

Against the Sky II

Today after taking Christine out for her birthday breakfast we went home passing by one of the Standarbred farms in the area.

There were a couple of horses on the track jogging and I thought I would do this little pencil sketch of one of the pacers.













I had thought about doing a series of four seasons paintings with Standards being jogged on the track. 

Perhaps at a later date I may work this one up into a winter painting.

Front Field II - Lone Pony - A Work in Progress

Today I was painting with the Lakefield Creative Arts Group and brought along a number of pen and ink drawings that I have been working on for a while (see posts on 18 June and 19 July 2017).

I started with this one beginning with the closer stand of trees on the right side.

I put the foliage onto the trees and added more details to the tree trunks and branches.












I finished this section of trees by putting a few smaller young trees in around the base of the mature trees.

From there I moved to the other side of the drawing and began to put in the start of the forest at the lower edge of the field.

I will post this drawing at a later date once more work on it has been completed.

Pinto News Illustration August 1981

I came across a copy of the August 1981, which features on the cover the logo I designed for them (see post on 24 November 2015).

It also has an illustration of a Saddle type tobiano Pinto that I did for the News Letter.


















Although at that time we didn't have any Saddle type Pintos being exhibited I am pleased that I did do one so that all four types were represented.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and look at the artwork.

Abandoned Farm - A Work in Progress

Today I am gallery sitting at A Place for the Arts, in Bancroft, Ontario.

After doing everything that needed to be completed to open the Gallery I thought I would work on this painting that I recently came across while going through an old box of paintings I found in the attic (see post on 10 October 2013).

I started by adding some trees into the background and worked my way forward by adding a few closer trees.












Next I began working on the farmhouse adding  shadows around the windows, door and under the eaves.

I was just starting to do some work on the barn when a number of people came into the gallery and the rest of the day continued to be busy.

I will post this painting at a later day once more work on it has been completed.

On the Move Exhibit at KAGS

Today I was at KAGS to open the Gallery in the morning for the Still Life class, but I was unable to stay for the Snow Day theme as I had an eye appointment this morning.








I returned later to stay for the KAGS Outdoor Painters' Group afternoon where I thought I would be able to work on some paintings.














Unfortunately, that was not to be. The person who was supposed to sit the Gallery in the afternoon did not bother to show up for their obligation for being able to exhibit.










I ended up sitting instead as I hadn't set up to paint in the studio.











I ended up making a number of phone calls until I had dates for this person to sit in place of this time slot that she missed.












Afterwards I had plenty of time to enjoy the show which featured the many ways that people have travelled from one place to another through the years.
















The show runs from 28 November - 21 December 2018, then closes for the Christmas Holidays and reopens from 02-20 January 2019. The Opening Reception is on 03 December 2018 from 1-4 p.m. If you have a chance, please come out and enjoy the show.

Pinto News Illustration May 1981

Today is another hot, 91F (33C) and extremely humid 104F (40C) day. So, I thought I would stay inside in the air conditioning and sort through some old files to see which would be shredded, saved or recycled.

I came across a copy of the May 1981 Pinto News, which features on the cover the logo I designed for them (see post on 24 November 2015). It also had an illustration of a Pinto that I did for them.
















This was a head study of and overo Hunter type Pinto wearing an English snaffle bridle.

I don't remember how many of these illustrations I did for them over the years, so it is nice to come across these as I go through these old files.

Riverview Pines and Horses I - A Work in Progress

Today was a little on the cool side with the high being 7F (-13.9C) and the wind chill making it feel like -17F (-27.2C).

I pulled out this sketch that I did while we were bringing in hay during the summer (see post on 06 August 2017).

I wanted to do a little more work on this drawing and thought I would start on the foreground and put in some grasses and growies.

I will get my photos of their horses for reference.

I will post this drawing at a later date as more work on the horses are completed.

Riverview Pines and Horses I - A Work in Progress

Today we were bringing in the last four loads of hay for the horses. Since it was a nice 72F (22C) day with a breeze keeping the humidity away, it was ideal weather.

While the first load of hay was being put onto the trailer I started this sketch of the windswept pine trees in the upper field which had always been a favourite view of mine.

For the second load of the hay, I finished most of the main pine trees in the sketch and since they were on a hill I put in the first ground line.

On the third time there I added in the middle ground trees and then the distant background trees and started adding in some of the bushes and growies at the base of the main trees.

On the last load of hay I added in the grasses and growies into the foreground and then put in a few of the farm's many horses grazing in the field.

I will post this sketch at a later date once I have added more horses into the field.

Front Field II - Lone Pony - A Work in Progress

I had a little bit of time and I wanted to work on one of my drawings and I chose this one that I had started last month (see post on 18 June 2017).

Looking out my living room window down toward where I did the original drawing, I thought I would add a pony into the field between the two stands of trees.

I started with the tree trunks of the stand of trees in the foreground and then added shadows from them into the grasses at their base.















Next, I started to add some of the shadowed grasses below the further back treeline and before I could go any further on this drawing, I had friends arrive.

I will post this drawing at a later date once more work on it is completed.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my artwork and I hope you will return often.

Pinto News Illustration April 1981

While sorting through some files I came across a copy of the Pinto News for April 1981, which features on the cover the logo I designed for them (see post on 24 November 2015).

This horse is of my second horse "CoCo" who had three different brands on her. All of them were on her left side.

The first was an N on her cheek and no hair covered it at all just the dark coloured flesh. 

The second was a backwards E and a normal N on her shoulder. 

The last one on her flank was a double LL over a lazy L below it, which was like the first one with no hair over it, just the dark coloured flesh showing.

I felt bad that she went through so much pain, as she was the kindest, gentlest and most caring of all the horses I have owned over the years.

Horse Sketches XIV

Today I saw that my North American Kestrels have returned to nest again in the birdhouse under the eaves. It is nice to see them and I will enjoy watching them as they raise their family.

I pulled out this sketch of some horse heads that I started while I was in hospital with my broken femur (see post on 14 February 2017).

I started on the first horse and added more details until I was reasonably happy with the way it looked.

Next, I worked on the second one and decided that to make it an Appaloosa.

I stopped when Christine came over and joined me for lunch before she headed down to do the barn chores for me and feed my cats.

Before she left, she returned to see that I had everything I wanted for the rest of the day.

I wanted to continue drawing and a movie came on television about a horse ranch and I did a few more sketches of horse heads.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and look at the artwork. I hope you will return often.

Horse Sketches XIV - A Work in Progress

I finally had my surgery yesterday and hopefully I will soon be back home.

I started with a horse head first, as they are what I am most familiar with and can achieve a reasonable likeness without reference material, but it wasn't long before lunch came.

After lunch I started on a second horse head but quickly became tired and set the sketch aside. I will do more work on it later.

Through the Canyon I

I wanted to do more work on this sketch that I had started last year (see post on 15 January 2016).

First, I added more details to the middle horse and then I worked on the lead horse.















Before I could get started on the third horse, I had company drop by for a visit.

I will post this drawing at a later date once I finish the third horse and do more work on the canyon walls.

Extended Trot

Today I was watching a program on Dressage and watched the various movements of the horses during a dressage competition.














It wasn't long before I got out my sketchbook and did this drawing of a horse doing an extended trot.

Training Bridle I - A Work in Progress

At 81F (27C) with the humidity at 88F (31C) it is a little cooler today than it has been for the last couple of days.

Shortly after I turned the horses were out on pasture, we had a heavy rain storm in the morning for about an hour, which means they received an enjoyable bath.

I came across this drawing of a western training bridle, after going through some old sketch books. It is the sketch I started a long time ago (see post on 24 October 2012) as the basis for a conte drawing of a training bridle that was a prop in a portrait class at KAGS.

Next, I added details to the brow band and the snaffle bit.

I will have to decide whether to turn this piece into a graphite pencil or a pen and ink drawing.

I will post this sketch at a later date as more work on it is completed.

Invitation for Black & White Plus One Colour

Today I was informed that my image of The Standardbred was chosen for one of the invitations for the Black & White Plus One Colour Art Show coming up later this month.

For the full image of the black and white drawing of The Standardbred please go to my post on 01 April 2013.

It is of a Standardbred stallion, Remlap Joe that my parents owned and raced back in the mid 70's.

He sired two foals that also made it to the racetrack.

When they retired from racing they were exhibited in Roadster classes in many of the local Fairs and Exhibitions in the area where they won many awards for their speed in the show ring.

If you have a chance please come out for the show at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio. It runs from 24 Aug - 11 Sep 16, with the opening reception on 28 Aug 16 from 1-4pm.

Uncle Alfred's Farm I - A Work in Progress

It is a nice day with the temperature at 78F (25.6C) and a nice breeze keeping the humidity away.

I thought I would do a little work on this drawing that I had started a few years ago (see posts on 22 October 2013 and 19 December 2015) while I wait for Christine to arrive.

I started on the left side and put in the overhanging tree branches.















Next, I started on the draft horse, but before I got it completed Christine arrived.

It was time to go to the cemetery with flowers, as we do every year on my Mom's birthday.

I will post this drawing at a later date as more work on it is completed.