I started working on a Grumpy Draft horse yesterday. I have a slug of images from this past summer, where I took photos of these draft horses (Belgians) at a farm in their pasture. I was actually at a horse show and these big guys live next door, across the road. I know the owner, and I saw him start to go over to his pasture from the show. Over there was a group of children with parents, looking at the peacful giants out there grazing. Some of the horses noticed the people at the fence and started to wander over to see what they might have for treats, I suspect. I knew this would be a great photo op…the large horses, the small horse crazy little girls! So over I went! The owner ducked under the fence and grabbed the halterless head and over they sauntered. The other horses all soon followed.

I bet at this point you are wondering, why was this horse so grumpy?! Well, he was more jealous than anything. You see, these big guys love attention! And if one thinks someone else in the herd is getting more lovin’ and pats than him…well, he shoots a warning look at the attention hog! I loved the drama that was playing out with this guy. In the reference photo the other horse is right under his neck and head, but I decided to leave all that out and let the viewer come to his/her own conclusion as to why this guy is looking so grumpy. Looks like a bad hair day with all those tangles in his mane!

This painting is 18 x 15, created with Watercolors. These photos are the work in progress. The top image shows the full painting. The middle photo shows it on the easel and helps you see the size of the piece in reference to the easle and other things. The last photo is a close up of the head, so you can see the details that have been added already.
Today I worked on the tangled mane. I’ll get a photo of that, hopefully tomorrow.

~DebbieDebbie Flood, Artist. Equine, Wildlife, and the natural world.
http://www.debfloodart.com

©Copyright 2009 by Debbie Flood. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.