Equine Art Critique

[LisaHArt]

Hi H&H,

I'm a long time reader but new to this forum. I am an equine artist and would love for some critique on my latest portrait of a client's sports horse!
My aim is to become very proficient with realism this year. Here are some work in progress shots up to the finished piece.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

It's a nice portrait, but I feel that the final image is very slightly too thick through the jowl when compared to the photograph. Additionally, you may want to try to make changes to the overall "texture" of the coat and mane; in my opinion it looks too thick and fluffy - more like a winter coat,really. I do like the eyes and the overall facial expression, which is very convincing.

 

[Cowpony]

Lovely picture, but I agree with Kaimar - I actually prefer the second to last version as the texture of the coat looks more realistic.

 

[Pigeon]

That's gorgeous!!! I think the face is pretty spot on!!! The neck and shoulder could perhaps do with a bit more definition, I would just use an eraser for the line of the shoulder and a bit of light either side. I can show you what I mean with photoshop if that would help?

 

[Gloi]

I think it would look better cropped to portrait shape, just showing the head.

 

[Count Oggy]

That's gorgeous!!! I think the face is pretty spot on!!! The neck and shoulder could perhaps do with a bit more definition, I would just use an eraser for the line of the shoulder and a bit of light either side. I can show you what I mean with photoshop if that would help?

^^^this^^^
Make your lights lighter and your darks darker. Words of wisdom from my tutor.Portraiture is so hard, people or pets, but I think you're pretty spot on here. Well done

 

[chillipup]

I think you are extremely talented LisaHArt. Not many can draw to this degree. The only thing I would offer as a suggestion, is to study as many works as possible by other equine portrait artists, both past and present, whether they be painted, sketched or other. Look for the best qualities each artist displays in their work and adapt their techniques to enhance your own.

Also try to study a live subject. Take your sketch book out with you and find a model, be it horse, dog, donkey or such and sketch away. Don't try to make your drawings a finished portrait all in one go. Study horses just grazing/playing/looking interested, anything. Sketch how they appear to you, how they move. Maybe just focus on their ears, muscles, eyes or a hoof. Try to study and sketch each part of them individually so you gain a good understanding of how all their attributes come together and add up to the whole complete horse.

Good luck with your studies, I'm sure you'll do well

 

[Embo]

You're definitely on to something! You have the talent, the more you practice the better you will get. This portrait is amazing, but as above, could have done with a tweak or two. The ears stand out for me - they are a little too dark in contrast to the rest of the head, so some detail is lost.

Keep it up, you're clearly very gifted.

 

[LisaHArt]

You're definitely on to something! You have the talent, the more you practice the better you will get. This portrait is amazing, but as above, could have done with a tweak or two. The ears stand out for me - they are a little too dark in contrast to the rest of the head, so some detail is lost.

Keep it up, you're clearly very gifted.

Thank you Embo, I agree that the ears are very dark on this piece. It was one of the earlier areas I developed and once I had gone dark with that area I realised I wouldn't be able to alter it later on. I know for my next portrait to take care to not make the ears too dark right away - even of they are portrayed that way in the reference photograph.

I think you are extremely talented LisaHArt. Not many can draw to this degree. The only thing I would offer as a suggestion, is to study as many works as possible by other equine portrait artists, both past and present, whether they be painted, sketched or other. Look for the best qualities each artist displays in their work and adapt their techniques to enhance your own.

Also try to study a live subject. Take your sketch book out with you and find a model, be it horse, dog, donkey or such and sketch away. Don't try to make your drawings a finished portrait all in one go. Study horses just grazing/playing/looking interested, anything. Sketch how they appear to you, how they move. Maybe just focus on their ears, muscles, eyes or a hoof. Try to study and sketch each part of them individually so you gain a good understanding of how all their attributes come together and add up to the whole complete horse.

Good luck with your studies, I'm sure you'll do well

Thank you Chillipup, you certainly cannot beat live drawing! I don't get to do it as much these days but whenever I get the chance to I always fill up my small sketchbook with studies from life.

That's gorgeous!!! I think the face is pretty spot on!!! The neck and shoulder could perhaps do with a bit more definition, I would just use an eraser for the line of the shoulder and a bit of light either side. I can show you what I mean with photoshop if that would help?

Thanks Pigeon! I agree about the shoulder, I spent the least amount of time on here so it's interesting that you have pointed this out. I will look at detailing a little more in my next piece! You do not need to photoshop it if it takes too much of your time but I would appreciate any visual critique!

Lovely picture, but I agree with Kaimar - I actually prefer the second to last version as the texture of the coat looks more realistic.

Thank you Cowpony!

It's a nice portrait, but I feel that the final image is very slightly too thick through the jowl when compared to the photograph. Additionally, you may want to try to make changes to the overall "texture" of the coat and mane; in my opinion it looks too thick and fluffy - more like a winter coat,really. I do like the eyes and the overall facial expression, which is very convincing.

Thank you Kaimar, I use a very soft style when it comes to drawing fur so I often find it difficult to draw shorter hair. This is something I aim to improve this year!

 

[Alec Swan]

For me and when it comes to portraiture, equine art is all about the 'eye' of the animal, and that you've captured very well.

Have you ever researched Susan Crawford? I admire her work. There's another, Mary Griese (sp!), and she too achieves what's needed, in my view. I remember very well a picture of a donkey which focused on the eye, and then gradually focussed in to oblivion. It was remarkable.

Alec.

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Lovely portrait

Agree with the other re the jowl area slightly too thick, also the neck/shoulder could have more definition. I love sketching/drawing & sometimes I think 'less is more' in terms of not filling up every inch of the horse with pencil. By leaving some light areas as well as dark, you create depth, contour & movement which in turn creates life/character.

Great pic tho- you have a good sense of proportion which many equine artists lack. A little more light & shade to contour would enhance the neck/shoulder conformation. This is just my opinion and also my style of drawing which I appreciate differs from artist to artist. Really, really good though

 

[HashRouge]

I think someone gave me a Christmas card with one of your sketches on it a few years ago. They sent you a photo of my mare to copy and you captured her beautifully, I've treasured it ever since. I think you have a real talent, though there is some good advice on this thread too

 

[Dave's Mam]

I think its fab. Agree the 2nd last one is my fave, but you most definitely have a talent.

 

[Merlod]

Lovely picture in it's own right. Nice eye and carefully drawn but, I think as others have said, you put a lot of hair texture into your portrait and it still looks a bit flat - personally I would have tried to incorporate more of the dapple type stuff and shading of the musculature as per the original photo instead of concentrating on the fur texture that the horse didn't actually have

 

[cornbrodolly]

Can I recommend Mike Sibley, either to go to one of his weekend courses , or read his book 'From line to life'. As I live fairly close [ north yorks] I ve been to 2 weekends with him , and his book is my 'bible. One of his very best tips is to use bluetack as a rubber ,so you alter tonal values without messing up the graphite eg the ears that may be too dark. I think you re doing very well- I started drawing again 12 years ago, after many years absence,and by getting tuition from animal atrits my work keeps heading off in directions I d never dreamed of- enjoy the journey!