I am an Artist located on a beautiful Farm in NW Oregon and I am inspired by the natural beauty around me.
My main paintings and photographs are of horses and things botanical but I may surprise you from time to time with an assortment of other images, such as Barns, Motorcycles or Aircraft.
Please visit often to see what Tutorials I am working on at present.

Today it is a “Work in Progress” of a Watercolor. Will start from the basic foundation drawing with the photograph, to the first washes of color.  Tips will be about watercolor paper and how to start a color board.

I am using “Aquarello Fabriano Artistico Bright White hot press Watercolor paper“, which is my favorite. It holds up very well to the many layers of wash I use.
For this painting I am using 12′ by 18″ sized paper. I have found this to be one of the best watercolor papers but you can use what ever you feel comfortable using. Use the best watercolor paper you can afford, you will be much happier with the results.

I am using Derwent watercolor pencils… used as watercolor and not a pencil if that makes any sense? I like the colors better than my tube watercolors. Again use any watercolor brand you favor.

Paint brushes..I use mostly sizes 00, 01, 02, 06. Believe or not my favorite brush is the one that came in the Derwent watercolor pencil set. Princeton’s are a cheap brush but hold up very well and are nice to use.I have very nice sable brushes and you can spend a lot of money on watercolor brushes but I find the Princeton’s are cheap, nicely made and hold up better than most Sable.

Here you see the photo I am working off of, another nice shot from Dawn Shaw at Lone Cedar Icelandic’s. This time I decided to just paint the horse, no rider.  

I penciled this one a bit darker so hopefully you can see the basic drawing.  Take your time with this part, as you want to make sure your drawing is in scale with the photograph.
The first washes of color.. the sky, ground and start of a tree.
This time I decided to add texture to the ground and I found the best way to do this…is use a sea sponge.
Adding some more color to the ground and filling out the trees.

Yet more ground cover, start of the horse’s color in the first wash. Little more to the trees. This time I have decided to add a bit more detail to the trees but still keep them vague in the back ground.
More tree detail.
Again some more tree detail, bit more work on the ground and more washes on parts of the Icelandic.


Here I am working on a bit more shading and the Mane & Tail.

Just starting on the fencing in the background.
Yet more coloring in of the Mane, tail and parts of the Icelandic’s body. You can see that both the mane and tail are starting to look more full and lush.
More added to mane and tail, softening the back dirt area and starting on the grass base.

More color added too the mane, tail and body of the Icelandic. Fine tuning to the legs and hooves.
Even more color to the mane and legs..some body color added.
Also working on the railing and trees a bit more.
Am trying to keep this painting more “loose” in style, than my Pen & Inks with Watercolor pencil washes.
Just a bit over half way done!

Continued working on the trees and started with the rest of the fence, bit of work on the Icelandic’s tail.
Finished the fence, did more work on the trees, the dirt, Icelandic’s tail and some shading to the horses body. Thought I was nearly done but I see a couple of things after I took this photo, that I want to work on. Mainly the tree’s and the horse’s face. Also want to make sure I do not over work the painting.
Tip: If you want to work faster and need the watercolor layer you had just put on to dry quickly, you can use a blow drier on low or air and wave it quickly back and forth over your painting, making sure the paper does not get too hot.

The Watercolor painting, “Tolt in Motion”, is finally finished and properly scanned in. Will be offered for sale at these online stores, Red Bubble, Image Kind and Cafe Press.
Will also be offering signed prints, so please email for information about those.

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