First coat of transparent oil over the original pencil drawing.
I have to laugh a bit when I look at the hay stems hanging from his mouth. I definitely wanted to leave them in the portrait because this was such a typical look from him eating from the gigantic round bale out in the winter feed lot area. He’s the only horse I’ve ever known who could manage to crib on a round bale while he pulled hay from it!
For not the first time, but maybe the last time, I have started a "home business". The difference with this one is that it is one I really enjoy. I've drawn and painted horses since I was (at least) five years old--that's the earliest one that my mother saved.
By the time I entered my teens, Mother had grown a bit tired of the subject and urged me to do something else with my artwork besides horses. I followed her advice and never looked back until ten years ago when it occurred to me that people might actually pay for horse portraits. I have had many exhibits of my landscapes, and sold a good number of them--but not enough to provide any kind of steady income.
I'm hoping that if I work hard and market this business well I will be able to delight my customers, make some money, and have a lot of fun doing it.
Visit many more horses and my rural landscapes at http://allifarkas.com, or click on my photo above.
Alli Farkas Artist Adventures 