Yes, Even More...

....hearts....
In less than a 24 hour period I have seen more hearts than I have in a time frame that might have spanned weeks or months. I'm not sure why so many are popping up, but today was filled with hearts and I tried to capture as many as I could with my camera. They were literally...EVERYWHERE. It was cool. Sharing.

.....and the very best one....on Oreo after we got him home from the groomers. I had no idea he had a heart on his neck! Now I do!

Wet on Wet (Dapples)

Horse with basecoat ready for dappling.
There are many techniques to dappling. I have found this "wet on wet" technique in oils to be successful and enjoyable. This "Affinity" resin called for some slight dappling along the barrel and hind quarters and after mixing up a lighter version of the base coat I set in to lay dapples in a fashion that would naturally follow the haring pattern of the horse.

I've documented the process, but it's very difficult to see the actual dapples in some pictures just because of the glare of the linseed oil. Please note that drying times for this technique do take several days. This is just the first step in many that are required in creating dapples on a solid colored horse.

With a clean brush lay a coat of
linseed oil on the barrel.

A lighter version of the base coat mixed
and ready for layering.

Start at the top and layer dapples.

Move downward as you add dapples and follow
the natural haring pattern.

Continue the dapples where you want them.
Always following the hairing pattern

Here Ive begun to add
them on the hind quarters.

The other side which after a day is still drying.

Unicorn

New fantasy piece.
This piece is currently for sale.
As of late, I have been on a roll creating fantasy pieces. When inspiration strikes one has to go for it. I thoroughly enjoy creating fantasy pieces and am already thinking of the next one to make. Until then though, I thought it would be fun to share past pieces with you.

"Harvest"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Strathmore Bristol.

Eyes II (Blue)

Painted blue eyes on a piece tonight and decided to document the process. Figured it would be interesting to see the production of a blue eye so soon after demonstrating the technique on a brown eye. Again, this is just one technique out of many.
(This piece will be for sale soon.)

Gesso on entire eyeball.

Black circle over gesso.

Begin adding blues.

Adding the pupil.

Finished eye
(I'll probably go back into it after a day or two
and add more blues.)

Eyes

I never tire of studying eyes. I also love seeing how other artists approach and reproduce eye color on model horses. Every one seems to have their own technique and they are all so varied. The technique below works well for me at the moment.

Paint entire eyeball with white gesso.

Add a black circle.

Add a circle consisting of a
mixture of Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber.

Add Burnt Umber in the far corner to darken. Add streaks here and there using a mixture of Cadmium Yellow and Burnt Sienna.
Black helps create the pupil.

Finished eye.

"Hug"
Graphite and watercolor on paper.