Grey Percheron Horse Portrait Commission: Painting in Pastel

I've completed the commission of  the horse painting today and am quite delighted that the clients immediately approved the sample image sent to them. All is left to do is fix the pastel and package the portrait for delivery!

For more information about this and other horse paintings, please visit my website at
http://www.colettetheriault.com/horseportraits.php

"Barney"
Percheron/Thoroughbred cross
Pastel
18" x 24"
Commission

I have always felt that a reproduction never truly captures the exact likeness of any painting as it often seems to miss the subtle variations in hues and color tones.  While this happens with prints, it  is especially true when viewing an image on a computer screen due to variations in monitor brands and individual settings.  Although the image above is a good representation of the artwork, I can see the differences when comparing it to the original.  Perhaps I am too much of a perfectionist, but this is an issue that I keep bumping into when preparing files or running prints of my work.

Equine art on the easel

Many  layers of pastel were needed to create the dappling effect on this horse neck. I will most likely go back and tone down several areas...or not...I'll  have a better idea once the chest area is completed. Stay tuned!

 

Horse painting progress: adding the muzzle

At this stage, the horse is finally coming to life now that his muzzle has been painted! There is still lots more work to do as I begin on the beautifully dappled neck. Let's just hope the pattern doesn't drive me crazy!

 

Horse Portrait progress

I am happy with the progress I've achieved so far on this portrait, considering this is larger commission than usual for me.  You can see my pastel pencils at the bottom of the image for size comparison.  

 

Horse portrait painting in pastel update

After spending nearly all afternoon working on the mane, I am pretty happy with what I have achieved so far. I will leave the muscular neck for another day (and the shadow below the mane) as I decided to move on to the forehead section of the horse. I love the spiral pattern of the fur on the forehead, also called a cowlick.  You can see the pattern more clearly upon enlargement of the image.

New Pet Portrait in Pastel on the easel...

I've sketched and begun adding the eyes and ears of this horse commission. I will continue to paint the rest of the fur and mane on the face, working in a downward motion, before proceeding to the neck and muzzle. I am using sand colored suede as the support as it will become the background color for the portrait. 

Group Portrait of Percheron Horses

Well, here is the portrait, finally! You can see close up views of each horse by clicking on the links below (horses from left to right).

Jane: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Janedescription.php

Prince: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Princedescription.php

Duke: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Dukedescription.php

Francis: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Francisdescription.php

Jake: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Patsydescription.php

Patsy:http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Patsydescription.php