Standing Together

Standing Together
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

I am working on figures in acrylic this month, and this girl with her horse are first up.  I had sketched them in pen and ink a few days ago, so I am familiar with my subject before laying paint.  Without sketching anything onto my panel, I do the color block in, careful to keep the angles and values accurate.  Next, I start looking for those tiny spots of color that round out the forms.  Since I am working small - only 5x7 inches, my marks need to be spot on.  I keep the brushwork going with the shape of each form, upwards for foreground grass or following the muscles of the horse.  Trying to keep strokes fresh and loose, I stop painting when the shapes ring of truth.  So, I am letting this one rest for today, and I’ll take a look again tomorrow and see if it calls for adjustments.  This painting makes 1159 in 1159 days.  Now, onto the next figure!

color block in