Horses Standing 1-6 - Six Works in Progress

After visiting one of my friends in Bobcaygeon, on my way back home I came across a field with a number of horses relaxing in the shade under a couple of big maple trees close by the road.

I pulled over onto the shoulder of the road and stopped.

As usual I almost always have a sketch book, pencils and the camera with me. After getting out of the car and taking a couple of reference photographs.

I started sketching each of the horses as a separate animal without any overlapping.

Standing 4

There were a number of different kinds of horses to draw.

The first one was an older paint mare who stood peacefully with her head down and eyes half closed totally relaxed.

The next one was a very active thoroughbred cross who watched me the entire time I was there sketching.

She nervously moved constantly never staying in one spot for long.

Standing 5

There was a yearling in among the group who preferred to be as close to the paint mare as possible, probably because she offered a calming effect and a sense of security.














Standing 1

Next was an Arab cross with a lovely dished face and lots of chrome; having four white legs, a blaze and a long flaxen mane and tail.














Standing 2

The heavy weight hunter was a rich dark brown, well put together gelding, without a spot of white on him.














Standing 3

The last one was a handsome, buckskin Quarter Horse with a striking contrast between the black points and the golden coloured coat.














Standing 6

I will post each of the sketches at a later date once the outline drawing has been completed.

Eventually I may even put all of them into one painting just as they were in the shade under the maples. Only time will tell.

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

In a Tin Can 1 - A Work in Progress

Last week in the still life class at the Kawartha Artists' Gallery & Studio our theme was tools.

I worked on a larger piece in the first part of the class (see post on 16 October 2014) and after the break I started this this little piece based on a tin can holding a couple of long spiral spikes.

I added a ruler, a pencil and I will probably add a few more things.

I will post this piece at a later date after I have finished adding all the different tools and things into the can.

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

Kyora

It is slightly warmer today starting the morning off at 40F (4C) and again more rain, but it is much better than snow.

My new pound puppy, Kyoria is gradually learning that some of the bad habits she learned at her previous home are not acceptable in her new home. It took less than a week to housebreak her and get her to stay off the furniture, but her bad habit of jumping up on people and biting in what she thinks is play will take a little more time but I am sure she will learn.













She is also learning some of the basic commands, like sit, wait, don't pull and okay. It will probably be another week or two before I can trust her to come when called and let her off the leash when going out for a walk.

I will post another picture of her at a later date when we can let her off lead.

By Lock 31

It started off as a cold day 34F (1.1C) and made it up to 48F (8.9C) but at least the rain has stopped and the sun is shining.

This morning when I went to go to the barn I was greeting by a loose cow drinking from the bird bath in one of the flower beds on the front lawn. I went to the barn and got a bucket of grain to try and coax her into the barn, but she took off across the infield and went over the fence and into my neighbour's fields.







Trees, Rocks and Water Sketches

I went to Twin Willows Restaurant in Buckhorn to meet a friend for lunch and since I arrived early I started doing little sketches of some of the things |I could see from my both by the window overlooking the Lock 31.









Trees, Rocks and Water Sketches A

With the Lock 31 being closed for the season there were no boats tied up in the channel so I had to be content with trees, rocks, reflections and whatever I could find to attract my attention.














Rocks and Growies

With the rocks the sun lit up the growies behind them and I think I may even turn this one into a painting by itself or use it as a part of an autumn landscape.














By Lock 31

Just up from the locks a lone fisherman came out to try his luck and I did a quick sketch of Buckhorn Lake as you approach Lock 31 with some of the cottages that are on the lake.

My friend arrives 20 minutes late, but at least the wait was productive and I will post these sketches at a later date as I turn them into paintings.

ACEO - Foggy Morning 1

I wanted to finish this piece that I had started earlier this year (see post on 09 June 2014).

I usedg a soft grey of cerulean blue with a small amount of burnt sienna for a soft grey for the fog.

I put in some lighter and some darker areas of the grey in and around the trees as though a breeze is moving it through the landscape.

While the fog was drying I mixed a greyed green of French ultramarine blue, raw sienna and burnt sienna.

I started with the furthest back trees and started with the first grouping of trees and put in the tree tops and with water soften the bottom of the trees to indicate the fog.

I continued working from the furthest back trees and gradually moved to the middle ground trees softening the bottom of the trees and on occasion lifting a small amount of colour on the tree itself.

It was with the middle ground trees that I changed the mixture of greyed greens by adding a little Antwerp blue and aureolin to change the colour mixture and darkening it slightly.

On the foreground trees the colour was darkened again and each time the trees were added I would soften the bottom of the trees with clear water to form the fog winding through the trees.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Water, Water Show Poster

I just found out that one of my paintings "Spotted Drumfish - Juvenile 2" (see post on 23 February 2011), that I had submitted for the Water, Water Everywhere Show with KAN held at Art on Kent in Lindsay.

It is a pleasant surprise with it being the second time my artwork has been selected for one of their posters.

Autumn Harvest - A Work in Progress

This is another painting I started in the Still Life class at KAGS last month where the theme for that class was fruits and vegetables.

A vine of wild grape ran down the side of a panel and I did a small section of the display that had a glass bowl filled with wild grape, red, yellow and orange peppers; at the base of the bowl were another pepper and a small turnip.














Before the break I started painting the orange pepper at the base of the glass bowl and forgot to take a photograph of the painting at that stage.

After the break I finished the pepper and worked on the turnip and completed it, but I feel the pepper needs a little more work before it is finished.

I will post this painting at a later date once I have completed the glass bowl.