Finishes

Several pieces have come to completion all at the same time. Last night I tried to get official studio shots using the photo cube, but I've grown to prefer the natural lighting especially on the chestnut horses. Out of all the colors to photograph chestnuts remain the most difficult. I took well over a hundred shots last night and couldn't use one so I had to reshoot every horse this morning. I'm happy that all the photos came out well the second time around. Natural lighting seems to be best.

The Indian Silver resin has just captivated me. I enjoyed painting all the pieces, but this one gave me such a difficult time that in the process I just fell to love the resin and the color the owner chose. Also, I believe that once he was completed he just reminded me so much of the little Arab "Saladin" I would ride every Saturday down at Jamaica Bay. Riding a horse on the beach is fun, but riding an Arab along the water at full speed is just magical. I'm sorry to have to send this resin home, but I've kept him far too long I'm afraid so he must leave. In any case, sharing some finishes with you.



Indian Silver resin (chestnut)













AA Chaney Arabian foal (chestnut)





Bitty Bosco resin (buckskin going grey)

Seems Like...

Seems like a no-brainer, but putting the finishing touches on areas like the tail and the muzzle can be tricky and sometimes baffling. The tail in general has a lot of sharp detail. Getting that detail to not only blend but pop nicely can be tricky. Here are some quick suggestions to producing nicer manes and tails using a dry brush method.

Prep tail by adding gesso (allow to dry)
and then add your base color


Cover the entire tail
most especially the grooves.
Two-three coats should cover.

Mix a bit of white into base color then lightly
dry brush onto the surface. Only the raised portions will receive paint.


Simple dry brush technique
used on the mane.

Add darker color in grooves
to create depth

Muzzle color can pose a huge problem. Add too much red and it looks like lipstick. Add too much white and it starts to look chalky and unrealistic. So what colors does one use to produce realistic looking muzzles and how is that paint applied so it blends nicely with the white markings and surrounding areas?


Alizaran Crimson, Burnt Sienna and
some linseed oil used to create the muzzle color.

Just a touch of Alizarin Crimson and Burnt Sienna in linseed oil will produce a very transparent mixture. To this mixture add a bit of Titanium white oils.


Titanium white oils added to mixture

Dab placed right in the middle of
the muzzle.


Taking a dry blender brush
blend the dab into the entire muzzle area.

Finish is smooth and the proper "fleshy"
muzzle color. Additional color (darker)
can be added inside nostrils.

"Hay"
Graphite and Watercolor on archival bristol.

"Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend." ~Albert Camus