HORSE ART DEMONSTRATION "ALMOST HOME - HUNTER PACE", AN OIL PAINTING DEMONSTRATION COMPLETED PAINTING Step One; A value sketch was created to establish lights and darks and the focal point of the painting. In this case, I didn't bother with a color study because I had a very clear view of the finished painting and because the reference photos were good. Step Two; after refining the drawing it was enlarged and traced onto the canvas. A value painting was done in violet tones. This establishes the lights and darks in the painting and serves as a guide when I begin adding color. Step Three; the first layer of color has been applied, establishing the actual colors of objects. Later layers will refine the images. This is to be an early fall scene.   Step Four; color has been applied to the horse and rider with the exception of the bridle, whip and martingale. Only finishing touches remain in these areas. Once the horse is dry, the rest of the tack can be painted, and the tail will be completed when the background is done. Work on the background will be done next. Step Five; I spent a week at a workshop with wildlife artist, Rod Lawrence, and worked on the background landscape with his help. Only a few finishing touches are needed, and the sky will be painted next. The painting is looking much closer to being finished now. Step Six; After darkening the rider's coat and helmet, I completed the whip, bridle and martingale. After that the two riders on the hill were painted. Here is a detail of the riders on the hill. They are one and three eighths inches high. Next the image was worked on in Photoshop to plan the style and placement of the clouds. The sky was darkened at the top and lightened at the horizon. I did several versions until I found an arrangement that added to the movement and drama of the painting. This is crude but serves the purpose. Step Seven; Here the sky has been painted. Cirrus clouds were selected so that they would add to the movement in the painting. The painting is almost done. Next I'll add finishing touches, including the mane and tail on the horse. Step Eight; Final touches and corrections were applied to the whole painting, and the horse's mane and tail were completed. The last step is always signing the painting, something I look forward to with each work of art. This painting required 122 hours to complete. Reference material for this painting was provided, with permission, by Metamora Photo

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