Upon the Horse

Upon the Horse
Pen and Ink on paper, 6x7

I have recently had a longing to draw in the western theme, and my civil war reenactment photos were the perfect aid!  Using my favorite superfine black Pitt pen, I have drawn this completely.  I have so many of these pens, in so many colors, but I continue to return to my one favorite!  It is the same way I am with brushes.  I must have hundreds, and I end up using just a few. Different ones for different mediums, but just a few in each.  I have only started to draw people in ink, and the trick is to leave them loose.  I will probably have to do a great many of them before I am truly comfortable with the process!  Drawing number 1325 in 1325 days :)

Cowboy Talk

Cowboy Talk
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Today finds me painting a couple of men from the reenactment, one on a horse.  These reference photos are full of timeless charm - it is just like stepping back in time to paint them!  Using my limited palette of heavy body acrylics, I block in with my filberts, and finish with a little palette knife (or in my case - my Princeton catalyst, have I told you how much I love them?)  Making this a quick post - we’re about to watch a movie!  Painting number 1184 in 1184 days.

Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

With only a small painting window before picking up the boys, I jumped right into this reenactment painting.  Complete with three horses and one man, I treated the horses as one mass.  I have painted quite a few white horses lately, and it is a study in reflective color from their surroundings.  I really could see the greens, blues and even warm reds reflecting off their coats from other surfaces.  I needed to share the color of the chestnut horse with the landscape, to keep him from sticking out like a sore thumb.  My “sta-wet” palette is drying out, I’ve had to keep the ceiling fan running for big red lab - and it is not conducive for keeping the acrylic palette wet!  At this rate, I will have to replace the paper top in a day or two, when it has otherwise lasted me for months!  This painting makes 1169 in 1169 days.

initial color block in

Going Home

Going Home
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

I had limited time to work on this painting, in between the busy appointments of my day.  I worked quickly to block in the color, and I put a little more finish into those masses - as I was thinking ahead without realizing it.  I must say, these figures grow more natural by the day!  This is another painting from my reenactment photo treasure trove, and I am having so much fun painting these!  As I look at this now, I may have put a little more polish on the horse than necessary, and perhaps I need a little more definition in the foreground.  As it is already getting late, I will let it rest for the night, and look again with fresh eyes in the morning.  This painting makes 1168 in 1168 days.

block in

After the Ride

After the Ride
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Oh, what a very busy Monday this has been!  I’ve squeezed so much into this day, my head is spinning!  Coming to my easel late (once again), I resist the urge to paint something easy and fast.  Staying on track, I choose another of my reenactment photos, this one with three figures - a man and two horses.  I start with a color block in of the forms, but in my haste I forgot to take a photo of the block in!  The values are always the most important part, so I work them into this first step, making all else that comes after a breeze.  The forms unfold naturally as I dry brush on the acrylics.  I am using a limited palette, and no medium or water to thin down the heavy body paints - which is what makes these paintings so rich with color.  My palette is almost to the stage of replacing the paper layer in my sta-wet palette......but I always stretch this out as long as possible!  Painting number 1167 in 1167 days.

Unpacking the Horses

Unpacking the Horses
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

Yesterday’s block in was the hardest one yet, but today I’ve turned a corner.  This block in seemed to unfold in such a natural way.  It was another complicated composition, and this time, I started with the mass of the dark horse and rider, and treated them as one.  As their angles came together, I connected the masses of the other two white horses.  I considered changing the color of the right one, since white is a questionable color to have going off the edge, but I liked the color - and kept it.  I simply grayed it down, so the bright white would not lead the eye right off the panel.  The landscapes were also a little awkward in acrylic at first (since I always use oils en plein air), but I am also getting more comfortable with them.  I am trying to paint multiple figures each day, all month long, and then see how far I’ve come by month’s end.  Just imagine if I can squeeze in 100 figures this month - what a long was that will go towards improving my skills!  Painting number 1166 in 1166 days.

block in

Adjusting the Reins

Adjusting the Reigns
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

I didn’t realize what a challenge this composition was until I started the block in.  With this method of acrylic figure painting, there is no sketching first, only a laying in of masses.  I began with the background mass first, allowing the horse and rider to emerge as the background tightened in around the forms.  As you can see from my block in image, the man was out of proportion.  So, I adjusted him as necessary to align him with his horse.  With these small figures, I continue to wonder how much face definition is the right amount?  When I look at my reference photo, there is very little detail, only shifts in value, so this is what I paint.  I am letting my right brain take over, and ignore my left brain telling me there are eyes, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc, in this teeny tiny mass.  When I can’t see them, they shouldn’t be painted.   I really love the light in this landscape, and want to do it justice!  This is my 1165th painting in as many days, and another from my civil war reenactment photos.

initial block in - proportions are off....

Meeting in the Garden

Meeting in the Garden
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5

I chose this subject matter today because it contains three figures, interacting with each other, in a sun drenched garden setting.  So, not only am I studying the figures, but also the light pouring in - and I’m using the limited acrylic palette to do it.  This painting is small, only 7x5 inches, so the question remains - how loosely do I render features?  I feel they should be loose, especially as the landscape work is impressionistic.  Yet, I want the figures easily read, by gesture as well as values.  In principal, I should be able to merely suggest features and the eye will do the rest.  I will just need to paint more of these, and find my own preferences as to defining the face no more than a half inch square!  Painting number 1164 in 1164 days.

initial block in

Greeting the Rider

Greeting the Rider
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

The photos I took during our civil war reenactment have proven a treasure trove for paintings!  Now that I am concentrating on figures, I am choosing photos with multiple subjects - giving me more to work on in each painting!  I am painting small at only 5x7 inches, so these figures are small.  I want to become so comfortable with painting them, that the strokes can be loose, yet define them clearly.  I spend about 30 minutes on the color block in, and find that I am capturing most of the painting at this point.  Finish work is just making the strokes more poetic, and marrying the colors a bit for good color harmony.  Most importantly, I want those figures to be accurate in form and gesture.  I am including quite a bit of background landscape, and it has been some time since I have painted landscapes in acrylic.  I am using the same methods as the figure and portrait work, only applying them to the landscape - which is certainly different from my former technique.  This painting makes 1162 in 1162 days.

color block in

Pumpkin Boy

Pumpkin Boy
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

I saw this little darling at the plein air event during Buffalo Bill Days in Leavenworth.  He was holding an orange balloon, but the pumpkin was more in keeping with his period clothes.  This figure was easier to paint than yesterday’s.  I tried to keep the first colors of the block in - which was something I lost from block in to finish on “Fishing”.  I also used my Princeton Catalysts for some of the palette knife strokes in the loose landscape work.  They work well for acrylics, even though I prefer the thick, juicy marks they leave in oil!  It is hard to know just how loose to leave the features of the figure, this is only a 5x7, but I want him to clearly read as a young boy.  I hope these figures will be effortless by month’s end, and I’ll be able to quickly drop them in to my plein air work this season!  Painting number 1161 in 1161 days.

color block in

Standing Together

Standing Together
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

I am working on figures in acrylic this month, and this girl with her horse are first up.  I had sketched them in pen and ink a few days ago, so I am familiar with my subject before laying paint.  Without sketching anything onto my panel, I do the color block in, careful to keep the angles and values accurate.  Next, I start looking for those tiny spots of color that round out the forms.  Since I am working small - only 5x7 inches, my marks need to be spot on.  I keep the brushwork going with the shape of each form, upwards for foreground grass or following the muscles of the horse.  Trying to keep strokes fresh and loose, I stop painting when the shapes ring of truth.  So, I am letting this one rest for today, and I’ll take a look again tomorrow and see if it calls for adjustments.  This painting makes 1159 in 1159 days.  Now, onto the next figure!

color block in

Letting Out the Horses

Letting Out the Horses
Oil on panel, 12x9
purchase here

Once in a while, we have a "paint-in" at our Tri-County Art League meeting - and that was today!  We all bring a dish to share for lunch, and bring whatever we want to work on, and just paint and visit. This is what I worked on today - one of my reference photos from our reenactment.  I really felt like leaving the strokes loose and impressionistic as I pulled away from the focus of the horses and boy, even softening those edges as I approached the perimeter.  It is a good thing I left this in the trunk while the giant puppy was still out - because he tackled me like a linebacker when I got home - and this painting would have been ALL KINDS of impressionistic! Just another day in paradise - painting number 780 in 780 days :)

Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle
Charcoal on pastel paper, 9x11

Drawing again from reference photos I took during our civil war reenactment, this is one of the soldiers (Chris Stockton) riding with Quantrill on their way to Lawrence.  This old charcoal medium lends itself well to these historic renderings.  I am using the powdered charcoal for most of the background work and the early shading on the horse.  For tight areas, I have used a charcoal pencil and small paper tortillions dipped in the charcoal for applying the powder exactly where needed.  I have always preferred graphite for these drawings, largely because of the very refined finish I can achieve with it.  But, as I work with this darker, messier medium, I find I like the earthy coarseness of it.  It somehow adds a rawness and deep dark shading that graphite could never reach.  I also used a color of pastel paper that has an aged look to it, almost a pinkish tan - and I like it.  I toyed with using a sepia tinted charcoal pencil, but decided against it as the powder would simply not match (and I am still playing with my new supplies!).  This drawing makes 449 pieces if art in 449 days.

The Long Ride

The Long Ride
Charcoal on pastel paper, 8x10

Wanting to work on this image today, I chose the "vintage" medium of charcoal.  Having learned so much about drawing when a child using this medium, I have only done a sprinkling of these charcoals in recent years, and am exploring a bit with paper.  Passing over the bristol, I had these Strathmore pastel sheets in assorted colors - and picked a white one.  I don't think I've ever used them.  Right off the bat, I didn't like the texture - like tiny pockets all over the surface.  Since the tooth should aid the charcoal - I forged ahead.  I got an early birthday present from my middle son - powdered charcoal - and I tried it out on this piece!  The really cool thing about the powdered charcoal is that I can dip my finger in and spread it on for quick coverage of larger areas.  I even dipped a tortillion in and spread it directly on the surface of the paper.  Wonderful control of a messy medium!  I drew this with reference that I took the day of the civil war reenactment last August - this man acting as Quantrill.  This is artwork number 447 in 447 days. So fun to play with new supplies!

Cooling Down his Horse

Cooling Down his Horse
Oil on panel, 8x10

After hours of housework (the price to pay when gone all week), I finally returned to my easel.  Today, I wanted to focus on the figure in the landscape.  I am working small - 8x10 - so both the figure and the horse are on an even smaller scale.  When the figures are smaller, the contrast between shadow and light need to be sharper, there is simply less area to make these small marks.  This is one of the shots I took when the men and horses were here for the civil war reenactment of Quantrell's Raiders.  This young man was cooling off his horse after they had all worked out the horses.  The depth of the distant fields behind him and the contrast with the figures, drew me to this subject.  This took me longer to paint than normal, mainly because I was more careful with my strokes, looking for the warm and cool - pushing between them both.  I am hoping that all of this becomes as natural as ever - and the strokes will all fall right off my brush into perfect paintings on the panels.  I have always seen the world through rose-colored glasses!  Painting number 426 in as many days :)

Arabian Portrait

Arabian Portrait
Oil on panel, 6x6
Civil War Paint-Out

This proud arabian horse was just begging to be painted.  One of those beautiful horses brought over for the civil war reenactment, his coloring is perfect for the late summer colors of the yard.  He is so proud, and has such wonderful conformation, there are several paintings I have lined out with this little beauty front and center.  My time is limited today, so I am working small - 6x6.  I'm a bit worn out with the back-to-back sleepovers this weekend, so I am also working simple - just a head shot.  Again, I am using the sienna wash, but I am actually missing the bold underpainting of yesterday!  This is painting number 241 in as many days, and Day 1 for Leslie Saeta's newest 30 day painting challenge.  Yes - this is the challenge that started this whole daily painting adventure for me back in January!

Watering the Horses

Watering the Horses
Oil on panel, 12x6
Civil War Reenactment

When priming panels, I got a little carried away with the paint.  I like to mix my own acrylic tints, and I was experimenting with burnt sienna and dairylide yellow.  First coat was a little too fleshy, so I poured a little paint directly on the panel - and it was pretty strong!  You can see plenty of the color popping through the greens!  When I started, I was fighting the strong color a bit.  It was harder to see what I was doing, and harder to gauge my values accordingly.  But, as I worked, I found that the energy that was coming through as a result was pretty fun!  This is another painting from the civil war reenactment, and in this one the men are watering their horses at an old pump that has been here forever.  I can remember playing with this pump as a child, making the water fill buckets - to toss at my little brother!  Getting ready for another sleepover birthday party - so I have to get back to work - painting number 240 in as many days :)

On Watch with the Horses

On Watch with the Horses
Oil on panel, 12x6
Civil War Reenactment Paint-Out

Each morning, when I wake up, I think to myself, "Where is my painting window today?"  This morning, I didn't have an answer.  So, I just go about my day, looking for the first opportunity to get in some painting.  I already had planned what I wanted to paint in my head - actually the next two paintings are already lined out.  But, I did not find that chance until well after 10:00.  Listening to an audio book, I started laying paint.  I primed this wood panel a little differently - lighter texture and a warmer sienna tint.  I was able to prime the next 13 surfaces, which I needed so badly to do!  I really liked this long format for this young soldier and the horses in his care.  This painting would have been easier on a larger size, but alas, there was not enough time and no larger surface.  This is painting number 237 in as many days.

"Quantrill"

"Quantrill"
oil on panel, 12x16
Civil War Reenactment

This man made such a striking image on his horse as he galloped up into the yard, to ask permission to water his horses.  Returning to discuss with his men the recent events leading up to this night, he stayed on his horse as he supported his cause.  Each man voted whether or not to raid lawrence, and the decision was made.  They each went back to their horses, jumped on and left to set up camp - if only to sleep a little before the 40 mile journey.  Last Saturday was the Civil War Reenactment of Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence on our grounds.  The play was great fun, and very informative.  All in attendance seemed to really enjoy the whole day.  After a closing narration, all were invited to walk into the pasture to talk to the soldiers on horseback, and see their canvas tents set up, just as they were 150 years ago - in 1863.  What a great way to bring history to life!  There are a couple of things in this painting I want to adjust, so, I think I'll return to it with fresh eyes tomorrow.  This is painting number 235 in as many days.

After the Ride

After the Ride
Oil on panel, 16x12
Civil War Reenactment on the farm

The late afternoon light poured in from the west, putting a warm glow on the countryside.  The horses now tied and grazing after their rides.  In the mid-1800's, this place was a horse farm.  It feels so right to have these beautiful animals back on the farm.  True, the winters are tough when leading them to water - and you really can NOT make them drink, but I still miss having a horse around.  This painting makes 232 in 232 days.  I really have to get more panels cut!  I just don't seem to have a day to dedicate to getting them cut, and priming the surfaces.  I'd rather be painting, after all.......