Scottish Highland Dancer

[mburrell]

16" by 20" Acrylic on ACM panel. C&C welcomed.

[Charlie's Mum]

I really like the way you paint and the way the marks suggest as much movement as the subject.

I do, however, feel the horse's head is too large

[maryinasia]

great movement

[bluefish]

I really like the cloud movement from left to right and the horse going right to left.....nice balance.....

and I agree with Maureen, love your brush work.....but don't know about the head of 'Scottish' horses...never seen one in NJ...

[gaykir]

Love it! Nice job!

[mburrell]

Thanks Maureen, Mary, Bluefish and Gayle.
Here is reference pic.



I might be a little big but he has a big head at this angle.

[Charlie's Mum]

He certainly does have a big head!!!!!

[LavenderFrost]

Nicely done!

[mburrell]

Thanks Michelle.

[john]

Good painting. I like the feeling of motion. Funny about the head. Does he have a big head or just a fit skinny body? Ah the perils of copying real life. Sometimes it's not what we expect to see. Photographers don't have to worry about that.

Sky seems a little too green and the horse could be more brown imo. But perhaps the intent is make horse, sky and land all as one, which is certainly a valid artistic goal.

This strikes a chord with me as I am currently working on my first painting with a horse. There is something about horses....

Photos from zoom lenses reduce the foreground/background size change. If we use zoom lense photos we have to keep this in mind.

Nice job and a cut above the ordinary.

[Margaret 59]

Not what I was expecting but I like the painting, especially the sky.
I've never seen a horse like that - do you know the breed, not that I know any Scottish horses except a Clydesdale.

[jennifervs]

I love this painting!

[mburrell]

John thanks for your review. The green in the sky is my artistic license to tied it all together as I see you have done similar in some of your landscapes also (Country Hill, Hu, humble and gratefullas part,is. and Not Turner). The head issue two things here when so much of the body is foreshorten head the neck and head turn perpendicular to is there is this strangeness of apparent size, combine that with the zoom lens and I became presented with what I have. I try hard to avoid zoom pics that crush, this image was so strong I could not resist taking a crack at it. With so many images like this it is weird how some are accepted in paintings and others test us.
As for the brown I warmed the photo up a bit and still very little brown, I have added some in to it more than I was seeing but again pulling the color harmony thru the piece was my goal. So I did see you issues as I was painting it and decide to by pass them. I had done another horse painting 'White Horse Hop' which followed a more traditional color palette and perspective. I like them both but I learn more from this one and like it better.

Margaret Thank you it is a Clydesdale, a young stallion the setting light blew out his coloring I thought it quite striking.

Jennifer I really like it too, thanks.

[Margaret 59]

Had to have closer look at the horse after your reply and I realise how gorgeous he is in your painting. I did remember about the Clydesdale's hoofs as they used to fascinate me when I was very young.

[jonc50]

Very nicely done.