Jon Snow

Whatcha gonna do Jon Snow?

               Pen & ink and watercolor on extra weight 270 gsm mixed media paper

Horse - De Atramentis Document Brown Ink Test

So, I was finally able to obtain some De Atramentis document brown ink.  Getting a hold of this ink in the US is like winning the lottery (I have been trying since the summer).  And having the chance to actually get to play with it, I can see why it it is so valued.  

Wow.  This ink is just smooth.  I did a quick sketch using a dip pen (kuretake comic book nib) and the ink flowed smoothly and gracefully on the paper.  What a joy.  Since the ink is waterproof, I added some Noodler's kiowa pecan to blend for shadows.  The sketch was finished off with a bit of watercolor.

                          Pen & Ink on 180lbs paper (with a touch of watercolor)

Twilight Feeding

This is a large, 12x16 inches.  I have been wanting to go "big" for a while, but taking photos of the larger paintings with my antiquated iPhone was not getting the job done.  The new scanner is allowing me use my larger paper/pads.  It is certainly freeing to be able to go big and use bolder brush strokes.  Lots of layers of color here, especially on the horse (its anatomy got whacked a bit as a result, but I am fine with the end product).

                                   Watercolor on 140lbs block 12x16

Equine in the Fall -- Redux

Well, this one. . .I am excited about. Using the Daniel Smith paints has certainly been eye opening. I was able to do a light under wash and then layer color on top once the first wash dried (much like I do with pastels).  The result is so much closer to what I have been attemping to achieve.  The horse was masked using liquid latex and painted with a rigger brush.

I still used the Pocket Palette (ie dried paints) and even though it is fun to use, I will try using fresh out of the tube paint on subsequent paintings now that I just bought a porcelain butcher's tray (ie, palette).

                                       Watercolor on 200lbs paper 10x14



So, I have been accused of painting three legged horses. And well. . .

Keeneland -- A True Painting

This was painted with no crutches, no pen and ink to delineate different areas or the use of visible pencil lines to show detail.  This is 100% watercolor, with a bit of pastel added at the end to enhance certain areas of the sky and grass (which I do not consider a crutch).  I think I was able to nail the musculature of the hind limbs with washes and a thin brush for detail.

                                           Watercolor on 140lbs paper 9x12

For those who know me, know that horse were a central part of my life for almost a decade.  I do not work with them any more, but sometimes people contact me about my old work.  Back in April of last year I had the opportunity to visit Kentucky and took in some races at Keeneland.  This is the photo from the back of the racing program.  I took many of my own at the several farms that I visited during that trip.  A handful of those are in the queue waiting to be painted.


Thus ends the streak of the Three Legged Horses. Thanks Cone.