This stage is about 2 1/2 coats of paint–some sections got a little bit more attention than others. I would have kept going but at this point I had to stop and wait for paint to dry, again. Otherwise I would be tempting fate to pull off underlayers as I painted over them. So we wait.
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 
Wow! That’s already looking so much like Billy. You really captured his soul in this one, Alli. This must be an incredibly cathartic (albeit raw) experience for you. This phase really made me smile tonight (having lost some horses very close to my heart too). He’s back :-).
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Yep, this one is a hard one. Mostly because I’m so close to it that I live in fear of messing it up. Trying too hard is one of the worst things an artist can do! So far, so good. Taking it in small steps to help keep my distance!
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Great tribute to your buddy Billy. Nice action on the chewing, had me believing it was an action shot!
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I had to really look at the photo to get the chewing part done. This was one of those times when you think you know what you’re doing but you’re not painting what you’re seeing. So you need to stop and forget that it’s a horse’s muzzle and just paint the patterns that are there. Sounds weird, but that’s the way it is sometimes!
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