Full Throttle..running horse

[FaeLynn]

Well... I tinkered around with this one forEVERRRR trying to get the legs right and proportions correct. I am still not sure it's right, but I need to get this done so I am pushing along.
This is on pastelbord and it's pastel. So far just washed in color with pastel and water.http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Sep-2008/39292-Fullthrottle2a.JPG
You can see where I have drawn and re-drawn this picture.. lol. But it won't show up in the finished work.
C&C encouraged!:cat:

[ColorsoftheRainbow]

looks like a great start!

[Iaartist]

Looking good

[jody007]

Oh wow this is looking beautiful! I am watching you work.
Jody

[Bertoni]

:thumbsup: A darn fine start...can't wait to see what comes next on it!!

[OkeeKat]

Looks great so far!!

[QueenBArt]

Hey hey FaeLynn!! What a terrific start, I really love the motion you have caught and position of the stride. This is promising to be a great piece, I'll be checking back!

[FaeLynn]

:o Oh my goodness! I didn't expect this many replies already!:) And they are all positive so far! Wow.
Thank you, Sue, Linda, Jody, Bertoni, Kathie, and especially Kristen!
I know you know your horses Kristen, so I particularly wanted your input.
I kind of know mine too.. but you know it's hard to see it when you're working on it yourself.
Will be back to post an update in just a bit! Thanks again!

[timwootton]

I think all the re-working of the horse's action will be paid back in droves. Good drawing's the basis of a fine painting and you have succeeded in the former and it looks as though the latter will develop very nicely indeed.

[PatrickHedges]

This is looking like it could be a beauty

[FaeLynn]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Sep-2008/39292-FT1hrb.JPG

Well I got some more of the background done! I worked on it for another hour. Next I get to work on the horse, that will be the fun part!:thumbsup:

[Ceci]

im sitting here waiting, this is going to look great, i love the bg color
ceci

[FaeLynn]

Here is where I am now, taking a break...another 45 minutes work:cool: http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Sep-2008/39292-ft2hrb.JPG
Still just laying in color, will do details later with pastel pencil...

[OkeeKat]

Great background, the horse is already comeing to life.. great work!!

[jody007]

I am loving it! I am still watching!
Jody

[sveldstra]

Faelynn, how big is the board you are working on? I'm impressed at how much color detail you are getting. With pastels I'm all thumbs:thumbsup:. Your running horse is coming along beautifully.

[FaeLynn]

Thank you Ceci, Kathie, Jody and Sveldstra! I forgot to mention the size, (didn't know it until just now!) It's 12" by 16". It's a little hard for me to get the details in, because so far all I have used is the stick pastels. I am holding off with the pastel pencils until I get all the base colors laid in.
:cat:
I do not know for the life of me, how some of you folks can work 3 or 4 hours at a time on a painting.. I just can't do it, I lose momentum and focus and have to move around. I just had my break though, watch TV and do laundy for an hour or so, now I can go back to my art. I'll be back with another update!
I forgot also to say that the reason I am really pushing myself to do this is because two ladies from my local art group gave me 2 brand new sets of pastels because they want to see me do more art.:o If only they had seen my fully stocked "studio" area...it looks like the pastel/colored pencil section of an art store!:evil: But that gesture worked, didn't it!:lol:

[FaeLynn]

:cool: coming along... 3 hours into it now... golly it goes faster than colored pencil!:lol: http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Sep-2008/39292-ft3hra.JPG
I am trying really hard to get those darks darker...used a blue-black and it still doesn't look real dark... I'll keep working it...

[QueenBArt]

I love that sheen! Really nice to see how you're working this. I like the feel of speed you have gotten in the blur of the background. The blues in the foliage are nice as well. Only suggestion I have is deeping that shadow between the jaw and muzzle, I can see where you are going with it and know as you layer you'll get it; but right not it makes his head look a little long. It's coming together nicely, good porportioning on the body, and love the inside shoulder. All in all looking great!

[dlarson]

Lookin great so far!!!

[RADAR]

you are right on track,comming along nicely.

Gary

[AngieR]

This is really coming along. Horses to me look really hard to paint/draw. I like the shine in his coat and he looks like he is flying along. Can't wait to see more updates:)

Angie

[FaeLynn]

:D Alllriiiight! I think I am finished with this one. If anyone sees anything for me to change, please say so quick! I need to get this under glass so my crazy cats don't get onto it!http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Sep-2008/39292-ft4hrb.JPG

I would have loved to get that mane and tail looking more smooth, and flowing, but I couldn't seem to do a very good job! Anyone have any suggestions? I have to be really careful because I don't want to end up with mud in those areas. Thanks!!:wave:

[winecountry]

To get really fine lines and flowing hair, sharpen a pastel pencil or if you are more careful a nupastel stick to a flat chisel shape. Use a sanding block sponge of about 100 grit, and hold steady to get a very flat side, then take 300 sandpaper and get it even flatter, now you can with a single stroke in the direction the hair grows put in the tail or mane, you can do about 3 strokes before it needs sharpening again

...for the all time champ of manes and tails see Leslie Harrisons horses....she is where I first heard about sharpening...the rest of the detail is what I've worked out over time. It would be good to observe a lot of wind whipped manes to get some ideas of what the hair can do, I'd say some of the strokes are a bit stiff on yours...still think it's a worthy effort, I've done all kinds of animals, to me horses are the hardest!

[FaeLynn]

Thank you, Colleen! I have Leslie Harrison's books, I looked at them and I worked on the mane and tail. Still not perfect, but a lot better than my last post. I didn't have the sandpaper here... but sharpened the pastels with a razor and paper. It's late and I won't take a picture of it tonight, but I will tomorrow! Thanks for suggesting that. I didn't even think of doing the obvious! That's what I love about Wet Canvas.. folks like you who can point me in the right direction!

[FaeLynn]

Okay, here it is real quick, didn't have time to get a great pic but does it look better? I think I could still push the mane a bit.;) http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-Sep-2008/39292-ftfina.JPG

It's not as grainy/blurry IRL...but you basically get it.

[PatrickHedges]

Leslie Harrison's work is fabulous but she always uses velour which is so different to work on and hard to get the same results compared to most other surfaces. Colleen's right though, she's unbelievable.

This is looking really good.

[jody007]

Oh Fae I think you did a magnificent job! I love everything about it!
Jody