Back in the saddle
Posted: January 3, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized 14 CommentsIt’s been a relaxing few weeks at home, but this morning I realized that I’ll be teaching in Tucson in a few weeks, and I should be getting out to sketch more often. So I packed up my sketch kit and took a drive in my neighbourhood, looking for something interesting to draw. It goes without saying that there are no Saguaro cacti near here, but it turns out that there are plenty of horse farms in our new town. And as I did last year at Tanque Verde Ranch, I’ll definitely be sketching horses.
I chose a monochrome palette for today’s sketch. It echoes the weather we’ve been having for the past few weeks. Grey, cloudy and unusually warm. It was a strange way to end the year and even odder in January when we usually have lots of snow and really cold days. Sepia would have been a perfect choice for the sketch, but I don’t have that on my palette this week so I mixed a limited palette of Holbein Umber, Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine. That combo created some warm washes that were ideal for the weathered stalls and the horses. As for the workshop, there are still a few spots available. If you also want to get away from the endless grey and the cold, come along! We always have a great time at the ranch!
Shari, Any chance you might teach in Bozeman Montana again this year? Cathy
HI Cathy. I won’t be back in Montana this year, unfortunately. It was such a beautiful location, wasn’t it? I hope all is well with you. Happy New Year!
very nice this monochrome painting … and horses wow … super great subject I love it …
Lise, merci beaucoup!!
LOVE the horses, the colors and your expertise in painting whatever catches your eye! Beautifully done….b
Ahhh, thank you. This is so nice to read.
Love this sketch as I am a horse person aka cowgirl from birth! Would love that workshop unfortunately work has me bridled right now (pun intended)! Enjoy!!
Too bad Marilyn. I would love to have a cowgirl in the group!! Maybe next time!!
These are lovely. Have a great session in Tucson.
Thanks Pam!!
Your color choice was perfect for the horse ranch and the animals. Great shapes to the horses!!
Thanks so much Joan. I wasn’t sure if I made the limbs too short but then I looked at my photos and realized that’s how they looked.
Hi Shari!
I’m at Tanque Verde this week taking a workshop with Ian Fennelly. This morning, I went over to the paddock to sketch the horses. What a hoot! It was fun to draw the still ones and very entertaining when little tiffs occurred. Flattened ears and bites exchanged before everyone settled down again. Hope you have a wonderful time here at the ranch in a few weeks!
Best wishes,
Tara Kate
I bet you had a great time with Ian! Right now it’s raining here and it might be like this for several days. I hope I get over to the paddock soon!!