Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Brown Horse

Last night at our painting class, my wonderful teacher, Margie Johnson, pushed the envelope and told me I needed to free up! Ok, I agree - it's something I've been trying to do, with very little or no success.

So, a beautiful picture of a horse from Dana Marie's challenge blog, Inspiration all Around Us, was the subject of choice. I know this was an old challenge, so I hope Dana Marie doesn't mind me using it now.

Painting this lovely animal also reminded me of Maree, a fellow South African, who has just done the most amazing sketches of horses. Have a look.

For a typical neat Capricorn, it was almost teeth pulling to blur the outlines, especially of the back of the horse, but I think I did it.

Anyway, I kind of like the result! Would love to know the thoughts out there.

35 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

Liz, this is absolutely exquisite! I love what you've done with the blurring away the feet and tail, and the background is magnificent. I fear animals; they could end up looking like my people!! LOL

Anonymous said...

Liz, this is lovely and certainly freely painted. You are really good at animals.

Ramesh Jhawar said...

The exercise was fruitful! It resulted in a great painting!Very well done, Liz!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

I love it! Your painting skills are growing, almost daily! It's a journey we all are on.

FitFoodieMegha said...

Such a beautiful painting Liz! You always amaze me with your work. You are a fantastic artist!
Graphite Pencil Sketch: University of Pune

Suzanne McDermott said...

Whatever you did, do more of it. This is awesome, Liz! It's one of the best pieces I've seen you do. Now listen, Capricorn. Virgo teacher here suggests you do the following - Draw something daily with your subdominant hand. Just do it for fun and play. Once you've recovered, compare that drawing to any with your dominant hand. You might start hitting on what your teacher is hoping for you.

Unknown said...

Wow Liz! First big hugs and congrats for pushing yourself to try something new. The result is GORGEOUS! So painterly and a little mystical with the swatches of color in the background and the blurry edges of the horse. Yay you!

Avocaken said...

Hi Liz, thanks for visiting my blog. I need to visit your art class and learn to "loosen up". My family says that I'm too tidy - in my painting. (We won't mention the other untidy stuff.) Great painting, like the others say "keep doing it!". :-)

Ken B.

Diana said...

It is wonderful.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

LIZ, Your attempts to work more freely was a great success in this piece! This has a very wonderful balance between strength of the subject and compatibility with the background. It really brings us to what your subject is and lets us dream of the rest. BEAUTIFUL!!

Cathy Gatland said...

How lucky you are to have a teacher that stretches you! This is so lovely, as the others have said - leaves room to imagine. You are finding lots of challenges out there and taking them up magnificently! Love Michelle's cat (I had one similiar to that once) and little Tiggy - such personality there.

Maree Clarkson said...

Wow Liz, this is absolutely GREAT! Beautiful work. Aren't horses just SO inspirational to paint?

Fábio Cembranelli said...

Hi Liz! Just beautiful..the atmosphere is awesome, it's like a fog around the horse. Love it!

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Liz, I love this painting, the horse is so beautiful. Great job!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Autumn Leaves - nothing wrong with your people - you paint in your own style. Thank you for the lovely compliment.


Thank you so much Carolann - yes, I do love animals.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Ramesh!


It's a great journey Carol! Thank you for your lovely comment.

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Megha, what an amazing compliment. I still think I'm way behind all the incredible artists out there!


Oh Suzanne, I am going to try. This is a start - and thank you so very very much for that sound advice. I've done it once before and yours is a timely reminder of what needs to be done. You're a star!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much lovely Sheila and big hugs back. I may just donate this one to DARG - I know it's not one of their horses, but maybe they can profit from it. I'll keep you posted.


Hello there Ken - and thank you. Maybe you also need to take Suzanne's advice and tips on loosening up!!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so very much Diana. I went to your blog and have found another person passionate about animals, and what a beautiful horse you have.


Hello my friend Saundra! thank you, for the compliment and for putting Dana Marie's blog on yours!

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Cathy, I must say that Margie is a dream teacher. She never pushes us to do anything that feels alien, but knows how to press our buttons. She encourages us to develop our own style. (I did so enjoy doing Michelle's cat, by the way)


Hello Maree! After seeing your horses, I just had to paint one as well. I've put a pointer to your blog so others can see your wonderful animals. Thanks!

Art with Liz said...

Oh my Fabio, thank you so much for the lovely compliment. I so admire your work so absolutely doubly appreciate your visit.


Thank you so much Rhonda. Horses are such beautiful creatures and when you love something, don't you think it makes it easier to paint?

Marian Fortunati said...

Beautifully free, Liz!!
How wonderful that your teacher knew just when and how to push and of course not surprising that you met her challenge!!

Love it!

SharonWrightArtist said...

hi Liz, stunning horse painting, he just looks so quizzical!
I think I have been answering your comments not realizing that you have a 'noreply' address. Have you been getting them anyway? If not, I admire your persistance when it must have seemed that you were ignored. I am so sorry, I won't do it again!

carrie jacobson said...

Liz, I love this. So often, I don't seem to have the time to comment on blogs, but this painting moved me so truly - It's so expressive and dreamy and real, all at the same time. How lovely.

Carrie

Shelley Ross said...

Hi Liz
I'm going to add to the chorus of hurrahs... great painting. Thank you for posting a fairly large size so that I can zoom in and see the fantastic loose brushwork. And the drawing of the horse is spot on. Great work.

Shelley

RUPESH PATIL said...

such great painting!i like ur impressive work Liz!

Art with Liz said...

Ah Marian, you are always so generous and kind with your comments. Thank you so very much.


Thank you so much Sharon. I don't go over to my gmail as often as I should, but I do get your replies! And now you've put me in a quandry - I don't know how to correct (or even that I had!) a noreply address!

Art with Liz said...

Wow Carrie, thank you so much for taking the time and for the lovely comment. I so appreciate it!


Thank you Shelley - I enjoyed painting it!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Rupesh. I have been over to your blog and will be following your blog from now on. Nice watercolour work.

Mineke Reinders said...

Beautiful, Liz. The looser approach is working very well.

Carol said...

Beautiful Liz!!!!!!!

Michelle said...

Beautiful job! I had meant to paint it as well but didn't get around to it. Glad to see you got it done! :)

Dean H. said...

Keeping the painting fresh looking is not an easy task. You have done very well on this. It invites the viewer to take part.

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

Great work, I don't ever try horses and love the work of those who paint them.

Unknown said...

Hey Liz! Love the horse, the blurred outlines do add to it creating a lovely atmosphere like it standing in mist)