Inspiration

Whilst working on a current batch of paintings I am always looking ahead for new paintings, opportunities and inspiration. There are moments in the showring when a certain horse is being shown -- it can be any horse of any type, looked out for or not -- and a split second moment will say: here, paint this.

However, it is only a split second generally and gone too quick for any perfect life sketching. My photographs are my secondary source to that primary source witnessed at the ringside.  My first look through my photographs from a show is always a quick scroll through; photographs which are inspiring to paint jump out, if I am searching for something to paint then I'm doing it for the sake of it.

For instance since I first saw Ava, I knew I would like to paint her; however for my personal paintings I do not and will not ever paint from other peoples photographs. Nor were any of my photographs of her painting inspiring (what might make a 'good' photograph might not always make a good painting, nor are any of my paintings intended to be a replica of a painting -- there are plenty of photoshop filters which can achieve a happy enough effect).

Ava (Vervaldee x Aziza)

So it was that I saw Ava again at the Wales & West regional show and I knew this would be my chance. A resulting photograph leaped out of my initial go through and is posted above. This is my personal inspiration, with the photograph as a further inspiration and aid.

Another moment at a show which jumped out as a painting opportunity was at the NWAHO show at Aintree. One snapshot of this moment is posted below:

Aja Angelo (WH Justice x Aaisha)

It is not just moments outside with opportune (as much as realistically possible) light and condition which can aid paintings. No moment, horse or situation can ever be a non-consideration:

Roe Lateef (Gazal al Shaqab x ZT Ludjbrosiaa)

This photograph is a launchpad for a painting. It is not my role to reproduce photographs as paintings: there is little point in reproducing the limitations of a camera: as in this photograph -- the location which due to its relatively poor light -- does not show the coat of this horse to its best nor is there a high degree of contrast/tonal values.  Also the halter can be "removed" much more effectively and naturally when painting versus removing via Photoshop which generally requires patching the halter over with pixels from around it rather than painting what would actually be under the halter. These are just a few considerations, and I have much more planned for the painting which will be inspired by this photograph.

I look forward to working on these paintings, though for now is the pleasing stage of considering how I will paint them, what composition, what might I change or emphasise and how might the final image look.

May so far..

May is looking to be a busy and enjoyable month, having started off with two relaxed photoshoots.  The first was with a lovely three year old Arabian filly who has just the right look to be a model for future paintings. It was a pleasure to photograph this filly who was very relaxed and happy to show off! It really does have to be sunny to fully appreciate the appeal of black horses and luckily the Great British weather was obliging!

Walentinah (AH Walmir x My Midnite Dancer)

The next subject to be photographed was a very inquisitive two week old Arabian colt and this was a very relaxed and enjoyable affair which reminded me that foals are definitely good for the soul!

ViVanchez (ViVegas x Minnie Pearl)

Work in Progress III

It's time to feature another painting currently in progress. Now is the turn for a painting featuring not a grey but a glorious chestnut! The model for this painting is the colt Versailes (Vervaldee x Pashonate) who has proved to be a fabulous inspiration.

Arabian Gold II -- 24" x 18" Oil on canvas

 This painting is the second in a series of three and accordingly, the second most progressed. There will still be a few more layers on this painting to further build up the contrast and depth before it is finished. Looking forward to finishing it and having some prints made!

Events Update

I have just updated my events page with some more shows I will be attending this year and this all starts off with the Eastern Arabian Group's Spring Show this Sunday (10th April) where I am official photographer. I look forward to getting out and blowing out some of those cobwebs from winter!

Click here for my events page.

Work in Progress I: Update

This post is an update to one of my previous work in progress preview paintings. Hopefully I can show a bit of my painting process.

Oil on canvas board 30" x 20"

I have just completed another full layer to this painting and I am pleased with its progress! There is still some work to continue on this painting; the next work is to add some glazes when this current layer has dried. The tonal values of this painting are still being worked on but these will all come together with the next few glazes and layers!

Whilst waiting for this painting to dry I am now working in rotation on two other paintings whilst sketching some others.

Unseen Photograph 6: Menton Arabian Show 2010

This unseen photograph post features three instead of one, taken from my trip to the Menton Arabian Show last year. I have recently booked my travel and accommodation ahead of this years show and cannot wait to return to this fabulous show.

The photographs in this post were taken on the first day of showing, on Saturday evening. It was bit of a novelty to attend an outdoors show which continued into the evening; however it was not entirely practical for the spectator as the light fell since there was no lighting available in the spectator areas. I do not use any flash lighting when I photograph horses or at shows and when I thought classes had ended I was pleased to think that I had not missed taking any photographs!

Bess Fa'izah (WH Justice x Sharon El Kendal) powers ahead of the VIP tent.

 

However as I walked away from the ring and past the collecting ring  I saw one of my favourite showing circuit mares, Ladi Veronika, just ready to enter the ring. I had almost left without seeing the last class, and almost missed the sight of beautiful grey mares in dusky evening light.

Ladi Veronika (Versace x Nisrs Natevka) shows her style in the collecting ring.

And after the first day of the show finished, it was a lovely walk back through Menton from the beach side arena to the my hotel, where a cup of tea on the sea-side balcony waited and a quick look at my days work!

Menton Old Town, illuminated and as seen from the show ring.

Unseen Photograph 5: Avatar and Aziza

Avatar (AV Montoya x Aziza) fore and Aziza (Arastin x Sadika) back

For this unseen photograph I am going back to summer 2010 and what was a dry and sometimes chilly AHS Nationals at Malvern.

I had been anticipating the Princess Muna saddle of Honour group class at lunchtime on the second day as I had been disappointed at Malvern in 2009 when no entries for this class had been forward. However this disappointment was more than paid for when the black mare Aziza and her family group came forward for the class.

It was a special thing to see the all black group in the ring and I was very pleased when afterwards I saw Aziza wearing the saddle as I had always wanted to take a photograph of this colourful piece as generally there is so rarely the opportunity.

And so it is from this moment I take my unseen photograph where whilst going to take a photo of Aziza, her colt Avatar decided to take his place and pose in front of his dam, a true model in the making!

Aziza (Arastin x Sadika)

Ava (Vervaldee x Aziza)