‘Po’ – Completion

'Po' - 18x18 oil on canvas, commission portrait

Well, the bun is finally out of the oven I’m off to deliver this commission of Po to his owner today. It’s been quite the journey. This painting has taught me a great deal in my process of switching medias to Oil from Coloured Pencil.

I began this painting in January, but restarted it after I took the John Singer Sargent workshop in June. I used the palette used in the workshop consisting of; Ivory Black,  Green Umber, Red Umber, Raw Umber, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre Pale and Titanium White. Ultramarine Blue was an optional colour, which I did use.

The main challenges I had with using the methods taught in the workshop were adapting the palette from humans to horses; and not being able to paint everyday. I could only work wet-into-wet in certain sections of the painting, or to a certain point then have to pack it up to get back to family duties.  Inevitably, portions of the painting would be dry or tacky when I would get back to it, so I would have to then wait until it was fully dry before I could touch it again.

This is the first ‘larger’ oil commission I have completed..okay yes, 18×18 is big for me!!  Now I look forward to moving on, knowing that my customer is happy helps too. Gran Gesto is next up for completion! stay tuned!

Bun in the Oven

If you have been following my blog, you know I’ve been working a certain commission for sometime now…that would be a certain, black, warmblood gelding named…’PO”..!  You haven’t seen him in a while have you..?

Since the New Year, I had put many hours of time into his painting. However, after I completed the Sargent workshop, I decided that I would start his painting over.  Given all my new knowledge, it only seemed fitting that I use it.  I can tell you confidently now, that the painting is in the final stages toward completion..or as I like to say ‘given birth to’….I compare childbirth to painting because those final details of analyzing, critiquing and questioning one-self’s work, can often be an extraordinary, exhausting experience. Feelings that I don’t find all that different from labour..

The labour pains are this; as an artist, you get so close to your work, that it becomes difficult to judge. I’ve often left a painting at the end of the day, agonizing thinking it needed alot more work or correcting..only to return to the studio the next day to find, much to my relief, that it didn’t… And unfortunately vice versa.

The birthing part is this; Once the painting is signed, and can actually call it finished, the elation that follows is indescribable. It really does seem like feel like something has been given birth to, a weight expelled, a feeling of completion, I feel exhausted, but also whole once again. I can stand back and feel, ‘wow’ I did that..what a sense of accomplishment it can be..

At this moment ‘Po’ only needs to dry once more, then I can add a couple more finishing touches.. this would include my signature. So stay tuned..possibly for one week…?

In my downtime from working on Po, I’ve loosened up with a  few Alla Prima studies. I find working wet-in-wet, fast and in one sitting, a great exercise to free me from getting too caught up into details on my current commissions.

First one was a donkey - still wet..

Donkey Study, 8x10 Oil on Canvas

next one was a warmblood colt, named Canadian Pacific, by the Dutch Warmblood Stallion, Pacific Star.

Canadian Pacific, 8x10 Oil on Belgian Linen Panel

both of these you can find listed for purchase on my Etsy site HERE

Brunner – The Mystery Horse Unveiled

Brunner - 12x16 Oil on Canvas

A few weeks ago I did a post on ‘The Mystery Horse’, a surprise commission portrait I had completed. The gift has been given, now I can fully reveal the horses identity and tell you a little bit more about this project.

I met the commissioner Jodie, on the Headwaters Stable Tour last fall. She was eager to have something special created of her horse Brunner, which she shares with her daughter Ashley. I was told Brunner was a gentle giant, a Percheron/Thbd cross. From there we set up a photo shoot where I could meet him in person.

I knew that Brunner was big, but I guess I wasn’t really prepared for how big, because I was quite shocked when I finally met him in person. There he was, 18 hands of tall, dark, handsome and solid horse!! Despite his size, he had a remarkable pony-like way about him.  He was gentle, soft, round and with a kind loving eye. He has three markings unique to him. A question mark shaped blaze, white patch on his wither (not from a rub) and white hairs at his tail dock. In the photo shoot, I tried some different perspectives to capture all three of these details in one photo. We ended up cropping the image tighter for the final layout in the finished painting.

Brunner and his mom standing behind him

With gift commissions, I rarely get the opportunity to hand the artwork directly to the receiver. So I sit on pins and needles waiting to hear some word about their reaction!! Thankfully, a couple weeks later I received a lovely note from Jodie’s daughter Ashley about the painting:

Hi Jennifer,
 
My name is Ashley, I am Jodie’s daughter and our horse’s name is Brunner.  I was given the beautiful, stunning painting you did of our handsome baby for my birthday and I LOVE IT!  I love that you captured not only how he looks on the outside but his kind, gentle temperament on the inside…you are very talented!  My husband and I are in the middle of buying a house and I can’t wait to find a very special place to hang the painting.  Not to mention the cards, what a special card to give out notes… used one the other day for my Mother in law and she loved it and said she would cherish that card.
 
Thank you again for all your hard work, what a beautiful gift to receive from my Mom!
 
Will pass your name on to any friends who would like to have their horses painted!
 
Many thanks!
 
Take care,
 
Ashley Arkeveld

 These types of letters always make me thankful for what I do for a living…I love my job! 

 

 

Brunner - Head Detail, Oil on Canvas