Getting the dark values set...

[Click here to see each step so far]

I wonder sometimes for what higher purpose my art can used?

Pursuit of the ever illusive master work can seem so frivolous at times, particularly with the whole globe in such a state of chaos. Most of the time I have just enough emotional energy to fuel my own existence and not a lick more. To tackle global problems right now just seems overwhelming and so I turn inward and escape into the world I create on paper or canvas.

But yes I do believe that art does have a higher purpose and because art is so very personal only we can determine what that purpose ultimately is for each of us.

For me though art provides a way to replenish the spirit. Art is an escape. Art is meditation. Art is a way to honor my gifts. Art is a way to connect with others. Art is a way to communicate with God.

Placing the values...

[Click here to checked out "Horse Showing" Step-by-Step]

I’m back to my easel and moving forward with my latest drawing “Horse Showing.”  This drawing is being done on a Canson Bristol, XL Series paper.  I really like the smooth, bright white surface.

My line drawing seemed solid enough and so this past weekend I started placing my values.   For those of you who are not familiar with the term value – it really just means my darks and lights.  I’ll be referring to my value sketch from time-to-time while this piece progresses.  My value sketch is my road map after all.

I decided (this time) to start shading in the most challenging area first, which for me is tackling the figures and the Judge’s face.  These are subjects I do not have a great deal of experience rendering.  My typical approach would be to start with the easy stuff- things I’ve done many times before like the background trees -  and leave the tough stuff for the end.  That approach has netted me a pile of unfinished work.  So this time I’m tackling the figures first and I’m working slowly with purpose.

As you can see I’ve moved around the drawing and have begun laying in some of my background foliage.  The reason for this jump to the background is that I need some comparative values.   Let me explain.   There will be fencing and a stand of trees beyond the fence.  In order for me to determine the value of the horse’s head I needed to lay in some of the trees.  I can already see that the background foliage may force a darkening of the horse’s head.

It’s all a building process.   Taking it slow and moving in a methodical way has kept me from abandoning this project altogether  and that is a good thing.  Plus posting it on the Internet as it unfolds provides an accountability factor.   Not only that the last thing I need is another piece of wasted paper.

"Horse Showing" ... the next step.

[Click here to see the entire project unfold.]

I’ve continued work over the last few days on my line drawing (entitled “Horse Showing”) and have made some progress.  My approach is at first tentative and slow using careful observation.  After placing a few lines here and there I might move away from my drawing to check things out from a distance.  Many errors in perspective and proportion are revealed when you put distance between you and your work

One important thing I need to remember is that I am not a camera and my goal is not to render a photographic duplicate.  When I first began painting that was one of my goals – paint it like it is – without deviating.  That goal was a set up.   It set me up to fail every time and in some ways derailed my efforts in those early days.

All these years later my goal is different and is simply to render my interpretation, to the best of my ability at this moment in time.   That’s it and that new approach is more forgiving and flexible and leaves plenty of room for creative interpretation.  If I want a photographic image, I’ll take out my camera.  So as I work my way through this drawing I will remind myself of that over and over again.

So far I’m not unhappy with the progress that I’ve made.  I’m using the B series pencils for this initial stage because they are soft and incorrect lines can easily be erased.   Getting an accurate line drawing is the foundation of what will follow.  So I’m taking my time and am not going to rush the process.

What’s more important is I’m having fun and feel connected to my Zen.

[Click on image above to get a better look]

Start with your contour line drawing and don't move ahead until you have it right.

I’d almost forgotten how to plan and execute a good solid composition and I’m not absolutely certain I have a good one here. There’s still work to be done on my contour line drawing, only then should I begin to lay in my values. I have completed a quick, no detail value sketch and so I do have some idea where I’m going with this drawing.

Over the last few months what drawings and paintings I have completed have relied heavily on my “safe” subjects. Safe subjects are things we’ve painted or drawn a million times (slight exaggeration going on here) and in the end these things end up being a crutch.

Landscapes are my “safe subject” right now and have indeed become my crutch. While I don’t want to abandon them altogether I definitely need to move away for a time to try more challenging subjects. I don’t believe we can grow and learn unless we test ourselves and step out of the comfortable and into unknown territory.

I rely on photo reference material most of the time and last year at our county fair I did get a chance to linger for a long while at the horse show ring. I snapped loads of photos and ended with some great stuff. Because I’ve lingered in my safety zone too long none of that “great stuff” has ended as a painting or drawing.

I am particularly fond of this subject – a girl and her horse – because I owned a horse of my own many years ago. Back in those days I always dreamed of bringing my horse to the fair. This young girl could be me, chunky and wrinkled but with a horse so perfectly groomed you know that’s where her priority and passion is. In that horse, in that show ring with her equine friend.

So… no more leaning on my laurels, it’s time to challenge myself and do something new.