Blacklord Caesaro - building up colour.

Here is the late stallion Blacklord Caesaro, a wonderful character and ambassador for the Arabian breed. I have been asked how to build up soft pastel on a black horse (the same principle applies to any black animal) and am using this study to show some of the under colours, blue greys and purple browns amongst others that are laid in before any blacks are used. Blue greys will give the hightlight areas and purple browns give a warmth to the whole pastel. Care must be taken with the purple brown however, otherwise you can end up with a 'sun burned' brown/black. Use the black pastel lightly over other colours and on its own only in the shadow areas. (I like Rembrandt's deep rich black.) Try to stay away from the pastel pencils as much as possible and use them only to finish the fine detail. Note to self: I must remember to take more photos when working as I am good at asking other artists to do this!

Graphite study of an Arabian horse.

I have been down with a nasty bug for some time hence the lack of new work updates on the blog, but here is something I was able to do in the evenings without risking the pastel dust making this darned cough worse. Working with graphite is interesting and you can get quite dramatic effects. I may use this 7" x 6.5 study for a larger pastel image in the future.

Many thanks to Geoff Rigby, a good friend, who gave me permission to use one of his beautiful photos as inspiration for this study. If you like Arabian horse photos be sure to check his site out.

It seems a little difficult to get a good representation of graphite work on screen. The images do not seem to 'zing' the way they should. Anyone got any advice on this subject? Meanwhile I shall go and ask the experts...

Graphite Study of a Goeldi's Marmoset

'Morning Light', (8" x 5")

The Goeldi's Marmoset (or Goeldi's monkey) graphite study is finished (I think.) Dreadful light here today, so may have to re-photograph tomorrow.

After looking at Colchester Zoo's website I was able to identify this species from the reference photos taken some time ago. It is a Goeldi's Marmoset, a South American New World Monkey from the Upper Amazon Basin of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is a tree dwelling (arboreal) primate about the same size as other Marmosets and is listed as vulnerable.

Working in graphite again has been very enjoyable and I am going to try to fit one or two in around my regular work.

Work in Progress - Graphite study of a monkey.

The work of Terry Miller has inspired me to go back to graphite again. I had forgotten how interesting it can be. This study is of a small black monkey seen at Colchester Zoo, very stupidly I did not make a note of the species at the time, so if anyone knows the name please feel free to get in touch. This study is on Bristol Board done with a range of Faber-Castell pencils. I will post another picture in a day or so when this study is completed.

Mall Gallery Exhibition

Fellow artists and I had a wonderful day out on Monday at the preview of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS) held in the Mall Gallery in London. (Glad I tried painting one a couple of weeks ago so I could really appreciate the skill that goes into creating these beautiful little 'jewels'.) Lovely friendly people and wonderful work, I thoroughly recommend this Exhibition. Tracy Hall a friend from the Scottish Islands won the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery Award ('The Sentry' Meercat) and also the premier prize for Best in Show ('Red Admiral and Rook'). Here is Tracy with the president of the show Elizabeth R Meek PRMS PPSWA HS FRSA and the Earl of Glasgow who officially opened the Exhibition. Well done Tracy!

Coat Colours

In the absence of progress on the cabin (still raining) and no work actually completed here is a study of 'Leo' a young horse painted in pastel some time ago. He was in a relaxed pose and I wanted to show the lovely softness and sheen of his coat. In the brown/bay coat are many shades of umber and various browns, blues, greys and a lovely purple brown. If you study the coat of a horse, or any animal, you will see many subtle shades which make up the overall colour. It takes some years to train your eye to see all of them - artists learn all their lives! We look at things differently and that is part of the fun and challenge of painting.

Cabin taking shape...

With many delays for bad weather and also a wait for a warped piece of wood to be replaced by the suppliers we are finally getting there with the cabin. We chose one with lots of windows as light is so important for us artists! Still have to put on the roof and veranda and also waterproof the whole thing. (As you can see it is raining again this morning.) While waiting for photos for a Middle Eastern project I am sketching Arabian horse ideas for paintings and also playing with another miniature. Photos to follow soon, hopefully.