Patchwork Ponies
Well I was able to put in a few more hours on my latest study of the paint mares and foals. I am liking this composition so far. I got it past the ugly stage. That is where I can barely tolerate to look at it and want to tear the painting up into little pieces and set it on fire. This happens with nearly every painting. So knowing this, I just have to push through until I feel better about it.
I have been experimenting with this herd of horses for some time and I am pretty sure I will paint them many times more. I found this group of about 30 paint mares and nearly all had foals at their sides on a trip with a friend. Since both of us were horse painters we pulled over and hopped out camera in hand. I find the interactions and herd dynamics fascinating. I think what attracts me most is the way that the spots kinda make them all blend into one another. Hard to tell who is who. Anyway, I am doing several small studies and may (or may not,) redo the studies I like into paintings of size. Or who knows I may just burn out on doing this idea and move on.
My only uncertainty on this painting is the foreground horse. I think this piece might be considerably stronger if I put her at the same 45 degree angle as most of the others. I’ll wait until I’m done to make that call. I’ll try to get an image posted of this soon.