Equestrian School

Equestrian School - Stage One

Late afternoon light poured across the sloping hillside just off of Livingston Street in Tewksbury, MA.   Good fortune that I had pulled into the driveway simply looking for a pretty autumn scene.   Getting to see the riders, instructors and beautiful horses put through their paces was thoroughly enjoyable.     Some riders had multiple instructors assisting.   The young lady depicted here led her auburn colored horse down the path to the riding ring off to the right undoubtedly an experienced rider.

Equestrian School

The pair were captured in paint as they passed in front of the brilliantly lit horse barn.   The barn door opening offering the strongest value contrast, perfect for balancing the center of interest.   This was a paint out to remember and if I am up in the area again, it's a location to be added to the painting locations list!

Horse Barn Harrison St Duxbury

Stage One

Last year I noticed a beautiful farm on Harrison Street in Duxbury where two horses were enjoying a large grassy area that was located just below an old farmhouse and barn.   On this day I set up hoping that the horses would appear at some point (they never did - unfortunately).  

It is the first week of May and there is no green brighter than the initial buds and blades this time of year.  In fact it was so green that I hesitated to paint it as (fluorescent) green as it was;  it would not even seem quite right -I think. 



Stage Two

Another thing I did today was to time myself (executing a typical 9x12 painting) in preparation for the "quick draw" competition I'll be doing in a couple of weeks.  I seldom think about time when I paint; in fact everything drops away while in the trance. :)



Stage Three

For the quick draw I'll have 120 minutes to paint and frame my painting.  This painting took between 90 and 100 minutes to get it to a presentable point.




Here are the times in case anyone is interested:

Unload gear and set up easel:                                         4 Min
Line sketch:                                                                  10 Min
Refine Drawing (paper towel wipe out                              11 Min
First layer  (cover sky, treeline, barn, foreground)            42 Min
Second Layer (thick lights, middle tree, grassy brushwork)  26 Min

The total time then was 92 minutes.  That leaves 28 minutes for framing so I am more comfortable than I was!   I spent another ten minutes on it in the studio.

Horse Barn Harrison St Duxubury



Vieques - Hectors by the Sea Southwest View

Hector's Southwest View - Mid-Stage

At Hector's by the Sea, Vieques, Puerto Rico, there are scenic views in every direction.   Toward the bottom of the property closest to the ocean, there is a large, open-air covered patio used for special events.   On this day we were the only people using the space, and it was perfect for painting while avoiding the strong midday sun.  

Most residents of Vieques have horses and there are three pet horses on this property.   They usually wander the property during the day, pretty much ignoring guests - even if you walk close by.   During the paint out, the horses were still in their corral allowing me to capture one horse posing at the fence (Bella? I think).

Vieques - Hector's by the Sea Southwest View

The colors were so bright, warm and yellow - almost blinding.  Afterall, I have been accustomed to the white, black and gray of our
New England winter of 2015.  I felt like I was forcing the bright yellow while applying it, but upon review, even more could have been added!  Photographs lie, especially in translating yellow, so you'll have to believe me....the yellow was there in abundance.

Los Caballos - Horses

Horse Photo through Jeep Windshield

Esperanza Riding Club Herd from our Porch

There are painters that specialize in painting horses and I am not one of them.   On vacation in Vieques, Puerto Rico, there were opportunities to observe horses - everywhere.    We learned that there are approximately 9,000 residents on the island and there are 10,000 horses.   The single lane access to our lodging was a long, steep and winding dirt path down to the property.   Our first introduction to their predominance was when we turned onto this road in our 4WD Jeep, a very large horse was calmly ascending as we descended.  We came face-to-face with him on a stretch bound by thick brush and trees.  What happened next was obvious - and he fully expected it - we backed out and let him pass.  After all this was his property, not ours.

So although I have never really painted horses - like the mangoes - they were an integral and fascinating part of the landscape.   An objective view of their silhouettes revealed that they spend most of their time grazing, which looks like an upside-down (squarish)horseshoes.  These watercolors don't do justice to their muscular form and beauty, but it was fun to do these quick studies.






More horses



Bella

Looking West from Hector and Mary's