...and it evolves...

here's "Bend" about 75% done.

It is now taped to my living room wall so I can see it everyday and make changes as needed. A few things stand out so far: that boot. The foot angle is off.

The hand. Right now it's somewhat shapeless. Gotta work on that.

I need to do extensive self-critiques to make sure everything looks correct. I do not work from photographs, so everything on the paper is an original composition that was in my imagination. I have to look at the piece for several days and makes notes if something jumps out at me. Then, it's back up to the studio and fix fix fix.

I use Canson Mi-Tientes paper because it can handle multiple erasings and bold lines with soft, super black charcoal. (my goodness, I love this paper!) You can use an aggressive, quick hand on this paper, and it doesn't flinch.

I chose a large sheet of terracotta Canson Mi-Teintes for this piece.

I got motivated...

Here's a glimpse at a work in progress, still taped to the table...

...A dressage horse moving forward with light contact, in a loose ring snaffle--completely on the bit and connected with his rider.

The equine's ears are turned back and listening to rider's hands, leg and seat. I love this look of willingness and concentration on a horse.

...and to ride like this is such a thrill!

It's a large scale charcoal and chalk on Canson Mi-Teintes paper and should be done soon. Watch this space. It is tentatively called "Bend."

Motivation--and drawing hooves!

I got motivated this week. Hooray! Usually, summertime is not my most productive time to create new work. It's just too dang hot!

I know I want to do a large watercolor and ink work, and was befuddled on subject matter.

I want to draw some riders, thought I...
And I want a fantasy scene...
With several horses and riders...

And I want to invent and design my own tack...

So, the a pre-lim sketch for one of the three riders was born for a piece tentativlely titled, "Tonight We Ride."

I have to do this one in many pieces. I want it to be BIG. I am doing the front end of the horses on one sheet, the riders on an other, the hindquarters on another; you get the idea. Then it all comes together on one big sheet of Arches hot-press watercolor paper.

Now some thoughts on drawing hooves: they aren't easy to do. They have to have the correct angle and attach to the pastern and the pastern needs to bend at the right angle according to the motion of the entire leg and how it supports the entire body...but I digress.

I love drawing hooves, but it wasn't always that way. Hooves frustrated the hell out of me! I was determined to learn them. I filled a few sketchbooks with: you guessed it--HOOVES.

Once I had a bit of a method and formula, drawing them became easier. Then, it became FUN.

I think of hooves as bells or cups, and learned how to get them from all angles. I practiced and sketched like crazy. I studied horses on film, in real life and in pictures. One angle in particular used to challenge me and annoy me to no end: the three quarter underside view showing a half-moon of a horseshoe. ARGH!

A few more sketchbook pages were devoted to that half-moon horseshoe underside three quarter view angle.

Now, I love drawing that hoof angle. And, I love drawing the BIG hoof: the draft hoof.

I had a field day drawing this horse; I let myself draw the half-moon horseshoe angle on a big draft-type horse.

I also just love the sound of big draft horse hoof hitting the ground. There is no other sound like it.

I am also designing my own saddles and bridles for this piece. This one is all about fun and imagination!

I will post the progress so you can join me in the creation. I am not rushing this one. Gonna let it evolve at its own pace...

Upcoming Events at Sound the Bugle Studio!

Summer rolls along, and my Fall/Winter calendar is filling up!

Fall is a busy time for the studio, and I already have a bunch of events lined up. Mark your calendars for some fun stuff:

Saturday, Sept. 13, noon-3pm: I will have a booth at the Second Annual North Windham Animal Hospital Open House at the North Windham Animal Hospital, 99 Boston Post Road in North Windham, Connecticut. There will be vendors, games, and raffle prizes. Pets and people welcome. This event is SO MUCH FUN! If you are in the area, come on by and check it out.

Saturday, Oct. 18, noon -4pm: Open Studio and Unveiling of New Works. Get your holiday shopping done early! I will have original pieces for sale, commission info and gift certificates available.

The Month of November: my artwork will be hanging at the Willimantic Food Co-op, 91 Valley St., Willimantic, CT. The Willi Food Co-op has a wonderful art display area, and you are welcome to inquire about purchasing any of the pieces exhibited.

Dec. 13-14, (Saturday and Sunday) 10am-5pm: It's the Holiday Open Studio. Originals, gift certificates and gift baskets will be for sale. Last year's event was fantastic (thanks to everyone who came by!) and I am looking to make this year's Holiday Open Studio even bigger and better.

Check back here often for updates.

See you soon,
Helen

(pictured: "Annie" from "Lady, Annie and Jezebel", watercolor on Arches paper, 2004. This whole piece measured about two feet by four feet.)