Quarterhorses

[Roan]

Here are a couple of quarter horses I drew --

This one I did in 1980 (I was 19) was a young 3-year-old colt out of the quarter racer Top Azure Man. I don't remember who the dam was. I do remember he had a very nasty temperment and not a colt I liked to be around much. His muzzle is rather crudish here -- but his legs are protrayed fairly accurately -- they were very "thoroughbredish" and thin.


This one I did in 1991 from my head. His muzzle is rather small :O


Like? Dislike? Comments?


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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[ReNae]

Roan,

On your top horse those lines in the forefront leg muscles keep distracting me, as well as the ones on the outline of the back leg muscles near the belly of the horse. Maybe if you toned them down just a bit.

Done in 1980 when you were 19? Wonderful! So let's see now, you must be 39ish?? I wonder how a horse would look now with all that experience under your belt!

I couldn't critique the bottom horse, I am not an expert on horses, but it must have been difficult trying to remember him from your head!

Warmth,
ReNae

[cmorrow05]

I haven't drawn a horse in years, but that's how I started, when I was about 11 or so. The walls of my bedroom were lined with horses running, trotting, standing, rearing. You get the picture. I agree that the muscle lines on the front foreleg of the top picture are a bit pronounced, but the rear looks fine to me. In the second picture, the muzzle is a bit too tapered, but you could always pass it off as an arabian. I like them! Have you done any more recently?

[ReNae]

Roan,

That must have been the room I always wanted as a little girl! I loved horses when I was little.

I have been working on two watercolors right now, but I sketch in between while I watch the kids (3 of them under 9). I will probably post the one of my youngest son, but I have to work on it a bit more..keep your eyes open!

Warmth,
ReNae

[Roan]

Originally posted by ReNae:
Roan,
On your top horse those lines in the forefront leg muscles keep distracting me, as well as the ones on the outline of the back leg muscles near the belly of the horse. Maybe if you toned them down just a bit.

Hi ReNae!

Nog, quite right on the muscles. I'd fix it up, but to tell the truth the original was done on three-hole lined paper. I had to clean it up an *awful lot* after I scanned it. It had dirt on the corners as well -- well, manure. I fell

Done in 1980 when you were 19? Wonderful! So let's see now, you must be 39ish?? I wonder how a horse would look now with all that experience under your belt!

I wonder that myself! *whap me* Oh ... my ... gosh. Sudden revelation . . .

I quit all serious drawing -- and riding -- around the time I did that top horse (tho I did a few in 89 or so) and that bottom one was just something I did while bored in '91. I *just* started drawing again last year -- not to mention painting for the first time.
My point is that I *always* drew horses and I haven't even painted one yet! I'm sorta flabbergasted at that thought.

I couldn't critique the bottom horse, I am not an expert on horses, but it must have been difficult trying to remember him from your head!
Warmth,
ReNae

Not really difficult. I've been riding/training/showing and drawing horses since I was 4. They're not very hard for me to do. What I did notice, when I drew that, is that I tend to over-emphasize those parts that appeal to me -- small muzzle, tapered ears, wide forehead. Any more and it would have been a cartoon!

Thanks for your kind words!

Hugs!

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[Roan]

Originally posted by cmorrow05:
I haven't drawn a horse in years, but that's how I started, when I was about 11 or so. The walls of my bedroom were lined with horses running, trotting, standing, rearing. You get the picture.

Definitely! Sounds like my old room Hey! Don't forget the library of Black Stallion and Island Stallion books and the "Walter Foster How to Draw Horses". Had to have those!

I agree that the muscle lines on the front foreleg of the top picture are a bit pronounced, but the rear looks fine to me. In the second picture, the muzzle is a bit too tapered, but you could always pass it off as an arabian. I like them! Have you done any more recently?

Arab, heh. I rode Arabs for a year -- was really impressed with Ophelia, not too happy with Little Man. Especially after he dumped me in the middle of a lesson. My fault for over-collecting him

Actually, as I had written to ReNae, I haven't done anything recently. Nothing since 1991 when I did just that bottom one. I'm going to remedy that. Here comes my first pastel painting!

Wish me luck, I've never painted a horse!

Hugs!

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[Roan]

Originally posted by ReNae:

I have been working on two watercolors right now, but I sketch in between while I watch the kids (3 of them under 9). I will probably post the one of my youngest son, but I have to work on it a bit more..keep your eyes open!

Warmth,
ReNae

Can't wait to see it, ReNae!

Hugs and happy drawing!

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[arlene]

with such talent, why'd you stop? what a waste of talent!

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http://www.artdebut.com/arlene0.htm

[Roan]

Originally posted by arlene:
with such talent, why'd you stop? what a waste of talent!

Sigh, long sob story but I can sum it up in one short paragraph:

I was born into a family line of cynical and artistic people -- drawing and painting talents weren't special, but commonplace -- and was constantly told I wasn't good enough. I eventually believed it, became my own worst critic and obsessed about everything that was wrong with my drawings rather than what was good. I hated everything I drew. So, I quit.

At 39 I'm shedding mental garbage and starting over. I've lost 20-something years moping around blaming everyone but myself -- yah, I'm partially to blame. I'm not just drawing but painting now and having a ball. I'm still my own worst critic, but my husband keeps me in line.

Some of us take a little longer to mentally grow up than others

Hugs!

PS.
To hear someone like you acknowledge that I have talent means a *lot* to me. Thank you VERY much, Arlene!

Double hugs!

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[arlene]

isn't it amazing how parents screw up their kids?

all artists second guess themselves and their talent. the thing is to just push forward and turn the "painting police" that are screaming in your head, off!

you wrote: "To hear someone like you acknowledge that I have talent means a *lot* to me."

If that comment means what I think it does, please don't put me or any other artist ahead of yourself. We all approach our art from a different place, and like growing up, advance at our own pace.

The truth is I'm a human being like everyone else with the same doubts and need to be admired. I have a real problem when we put people on pedestals {not that you were putting me there...lol}, even those whom we admire.


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http://www.artdebut.com/arlene0.htm

[This message has been edited by arlene (edited July 24, 2000).]

[Roan]

Originally posted by arlene:
isn't it amazing how parents screw up their kids?

Yesh, and I get the heebie-jeebies wondering what I'm doing to my daughter

I really don't like to point fingers at my family and generally keep that stuff to myself, but I'm tired of doing the "soft shoe" and totally blaming myself when people ask. Normally I just tell people "I got tired of it", which is untrue.

all artists second guess themselves and their talent. the thing is to just push forward and turn the "painting police" that are screaming in your head, off!

you wrote: "To hear someone like you acknowledge that I have talent means a *lot* to me."

If that comment means what I think it does, please don't put me or any other artist ahead of yourself. We all approach our art from a different place, and like growing up, advance at our own pace.

The truth is I'm a human being like everyone else with the same doubts and need to be admired. I have a real problem when we put people on pedestals {not that you were putting me there...lol}, even those whom we admire.

Heh,understood and no worry! More of a want of acceptance from peers, rather than idol worship, Arlene

Thanks and hugs!

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[This message has been edited by Roan (edited July 24, 2000).]

[ReNae]

Roan,

Been away from the computer for awhile! Sorry I didn't reply

I agree with all the former posts Family is difficult to deal with. I too was in your boat, but I just ignored them! I'm gonna be 36 and have decided to stop doing the craft thing for everyone and start being the artist I've always treasured. I'm just trying to build up that self confindence thing!

Don't stop drawing or painting, you do have a talent that shouldn't be wasted! All artists look at the same image, but their message is drawn/painted/sculpted/cut in different ways than yours and there is nothing wrong with any of them!

Arlene - we do admire you so! What a talent you have! You are definitely a scissor wizard! (try saying that 10 times fast!)

Warmth,
ReNae

[WindDncr]

My horse drawing from when I was 18 didn't look remotely like this...heehee!

Isn't it nice to look back on our old drawings to see how far we've come?

WindDancer

[Roan]

Originally posted by ReNae:
Roan,

Been away from the computer for awhile! Sorry I didn't reply

Not a problem!

. . . I'm gonna be 36 and have decided to stop doing the craft thing for everyone and start being the artist I've always treasured. I'm just trying to build up that self confindence thing!

Self confidence is what I really need -- especially when I'm stuck in the middle of a painting and not sure where it's going or 50 people tell me I goofed

Don't stop drawing or painting, you do have a talent that shouldn't be wasted! All artists look at the same image, but their message is drawn/painted/sculpted/cut in different ways than yours and there is nothing wrong with any of them!

Sure won't and I just finished my very first horsie painting! Came out FAR better than I expected too. It's in the Critic's forum -- and I linked it in Pastels too -- and it's called "Lifting the Nose". Please take a look and tell me what you all think!

Hugs!

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan

[Roan]

Originally posted by WindDncr:
My horse drawing from when I was 18 didn't look remotely like this...heehee!

Isn't it nice to look back on our old drawings to see how far we've come?

WindDancer

Heh, I used to draw horses all the time -- I think in my sleep too

I love looking at my old artwork. I have some kicking around from when I was 15. What I *really* wish I had was the picture of Gumby and Pokey I did when I was in Kindergarten. They had that one on exhibition at the University for a while and my mom (she died when I was 9) was SO proud of it. Wish I still had it.

Hugs!




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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,

Roan