Painting Progression-Moonlight Travelers-Step 1

Once again, I have a painting of horses for this demonstration.  Horses are not my only subject, but it seems as if most of the paintings that I have documented as I work, happen to have horses in them.  This one is a scene rather than a portrait and brings many other elements into play.

This is my initial pencil drawing on canvas.  I have incorporated a large amount of detail into this drawing, especially in the complex areas such as the victorian building, the horses and sleigh and the figures within.  I use a spray fixative to hold the pencil from smudging when I begin to paint.

Choosing A Brush

I received a question regarding the brushes that I used in the horse portrait demonstration.  This painting is very small, measuring 6 1/2 inches wide by 9 1/2 inches in height.  For this reason, the brushes I used were relatively small as well.  For the background I employed a 1/2 inch flat sable brush.  For the initial block in of color on the subject itself, I used a #3 flat nylon brush (about 5/16 inch in size).  For most  of the detail work, I used a #4 nylon round brush and for the very finest details and fine lines, I selected a #1 round sable brush.

The brushes I use vary according to the job at hand.  The style of brush, i.e. round, flat or filbert, most often depends on the area to be painted, how heavy the paint application is going to be, and the degree of texture desired in the strokes.  The type of bristle I select may depend on the support surface I have chosen, such as canvas, paper or board, the type of paint I am applying, such as oil, acrylic or water color, etc., and the effect I hope to achieve.  The size of the brush I employ is often determined by the size of the painting itself.  The larger the size of the overall painting, the larger the average size of brushes I will use.

It is best to use the largest  brush possible to complete a given area.  Initial blocking in should be done as broadly and as simply as possible, too.  This keeps your work fresh and expressive, without becoming overworked and tight.  As you continue to add detail, you can gradually reduce the size of brush you employ, creating the level of detail you want while maintaining a spontaneous, lively feel.

Large areas, such as skies, atmosphere, backdrops, etc., can usually be blocked in with a large, flat brush.   This can produce quick results and establish a ground for further detailing as you continue to add detail and texture, as well as smaller or more intricate shapes within the area.  In areas that you want to give a softer, smoother texture, a filbert brush, which is a compromise between a flat and a round brush, may be a good choice.  Blending is best accomplished with the largest brush possible in the area to be painted, or by using a fan brush made for this purpose.  Long, thin strokes can be achieved by using a flat brush on it's edge, or with a round, bright brush.  A long bristled liner brush is also made for this type of work.  A round brush, which can maintain a point, may be the best choice in areas that require a finer degree of control.  As you increase detail, you will need to reduce brush size. 

Painting Progression-Horse Portrait in Acrylic-Step 5

The final stage of this painting should pull everything together.  I apply a final glaze of acrylic color over the dark areas of the horse with a mixture of burnt umber and ultramarine blue.  I do not want to obliterate the warm sheen of umber on the highlight areas of the horse's coat, so I use a generous amount of mat medium in my glaze to keep it semi-transparent.  I finish in the darkest details with black, then adjust a few subtle areas such as the pink of the muzzle and the blaze on the nose before adding the final touches of extreme highlights over all of the reflective areas on the horse and tack.  I add some clean light blue in the background, next to the horse's face to increase the contrast in this area.  This will draw maximum attention to the face of the subject.  The last thing to do is add my signature and the painting is complete.

Painting Progression-Horse Portrait in Acrylic-Step 4

At this point I darken the local color of  the subject, adding detail.   I continue to add more intensity and  depth to the dark areas and shadows.  I also paint in the lightest areas and add detail to the bridle and reins.