All Dun...er I mean All Done.

So happy to have finished this piece in a week and at how well it turned out. Especially pleased with how well the mane turned out, and of course that FACE! I wanted to capture that relaxed but abit on the tense side expression. This horse was in a pen at the Stampede Rodeo, and he and his pen mate were resting in the afternoon sun, both very aware of their surroundings. Not too worried, yet...but the tension is apparent in the tightness of the lips and nostril. It may not be visible on the monitor, but the eye is actually looking at the viewer.

Once the face was dry I dry brushed in a bluish violet, very light in tone into the face to pull out the highlights. Try as I might, struggle that I do with working wet into wet, I still resort to my *drawing* techniques with my paintings. I really need to forget trying to paint like someone else, and just work with what's best for me. I think this topic can be a blog all on its own...Hmmmm?

I am going to call this one "Almost Dun", because it is a portrait of a Buckskin, not to be mistaken for a Dun, which sports a dorsal stripe down the spine. So this horse is Almost a Dun. Time for some varnish, and a frame. Woohoo!

Anyhow, I can now shout those two favourite little words and do a little celebration..."I'M DONE!"