Leo Martínez
Horses are one of the most challenging animal subjects to paint, but with the right approach, you can create a stunning horse painting that's both simple and fancy. In this guide, we'll explore the steps to painting a horse, from choosing the right materials to capturing the horse's unique features and adding those special touches that make your artwork stand out. We'll also discuss the importance of lighting and shading to create a sense of realism and how to select the right colours and tones to bring your horse painting to life. So, get your brushes ready, and let's dive into the world of equine art!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting style | Realistic |
| Painting medium | Acrylic paint |
| Colours | Burnt umber, grey, black, white, ultramarine blue, deep violet, cadmium red light, medium magenta, titanium white, raw umber, raw sienna, brown |
| Brushes | Old frayed round brush, angle brush, #12 bright, round brush |
| Techniques | Wet-on-wet blending, light and shadow planes, halo lights, Magic White or Liquid White |
| Canvas size | 8" x 10", 9" x 12", 11" x 14" |
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What You'll Learn
Sketching the horse
To sketch a horse, you'll need to start with the basic structure and then refine the details. Begin with simple shapes like circles, ovals, rectangles, and triangles. Imagine the horse from a side view and use these shapes to build its torso, head, and neck. For the torso, make two approximately equal circles joined by two horizontal curved lines, resembling a bean shape. The head can be made with two smaller circles, connected by simple lines to form the skull. Use two straight lines to join the head to the torso, creating the neck.
For the legs, the front ones are simpler, requiring just a few rectangles and circles for the joints, ending in two diagonal lines that connect to an oval for the hoof. The back legs are a bit more complex, with curved lines to indicate the joints and muscles. You can add another circle below the largest one (the top of the skull) to place the cheek, a crucial detail for a realistic horse head.
Now, you can start refining the details. Add the eye, nose, and mouth, using your reference images to ensure accuracy. Define the shape of the horse's body by joining all the previously drawn lines and use line weight to indicate the relevant anatomy. For the head, use an old frayed round brush for the main areas of the forehead, and an angle brush for the sharper outlines. Keep the paint thin at this stage, as you're just mapping out the basic tones and building the structure.
If you're working on a canvas, you can use graphite paper to trace the horse's outline. Position the horse mostly centered, with a good amount of area on the left for the background. You can also draw the markings with white chalk first, as chalk can be easily erased.
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Choosing colours
Choosing the right colours is an important step in creating a simple yet fancy horse painting. The colours you select will depend on the horse breed, lighting, background, and the medium you are using. Here is a guide to help you choose the right colours for your painting:
Understanding Horse Colours
Before starting your painting, it is essential to understand the natural colour variations in horses. Horses can have different coat colours, ranging from light to dark shades of brown, grey, black, and white. Some horses may also exhibit reddish-brown coats, with variations from "sandy" to "dark" or "liver" hues. Understanding these natural colour variations will help you accurately capture the horse's coat colour in your painting.
Selecting Colours for Realism
If you aim for a realistic horse painting, carefully observe the reference photo or horse you are painting. Match the colours and tones of the horse's coat, paying attention to the lighting and shadow effects. For example, when painting a chestnut horse, use colours like burnt sienna, raw sienna, and white for the highlights, and burnt sienna or burnt umber for the shadows. You can also add black to the shadow areas but avoid using pure black to maintain the warmth of the chestnut colouring. Additionally, consider the background of your painting. Separate the horse from the background by using different colours and carefully applying light and shadow effects.
Working with Colour Theory
When creating a simple yet fancy horse painting, you can use colour theory principles to guide your colour choices. Complementary colours, or colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, can create a vibrant and contrasting composition. For example, you could pair a reddish-brown horse with a green background or accents. Analogous colours, or colours next to each other on the colour wheel, can also produce a harmonious and cohesive effect. Using analogous colours can be especially effective when capturing the subtle variations in a horse's coat.
Medium-Specific Considerations
The medium you choose for your painting will also influence your colour selection. For example, when using pastels, Pan Pastels are a good option due to their convenience, lack of mess, and high pigmentation. If you are working with acrylics, thin your paint to a more watery consistency to avoid creating bumps, especially when painting at smaller scales. Additionally, consider the surface you are painting on. For model horses, use a matte sealer between layers of pastel to provide texture for the powders to adhere to.
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Painting the background
To paint the background of your simple but fancy horse painting, you can follow these steps:
First, decide on the type of background you want. You can go for a watercolour-like abstract background or a funky abstract colourful background. If you want to paint a sunset background, you can use colours like ultramarine blue, deep violet, cadmium red light, medium magenta, and titanium white.
Once you've decided on the colour scheme and style, prepare your paints. If you're going for an abstract background with a variety of colours, get 4-6 colours of acrylic paint and water them down one by one to a liquid consistency. This will ensure that your paint is transparent, and you can still see your pencil sketch underneath.
Now, take your paintbrush and start applying the watered-down paint to your canvas. Cover the entire horse's hair or mane with paint, leaving some white space on the edges of the canvas. Don't worry too much about getting paint inside the horse's face, as you'll be painting over it later.
For a sunset background, use a 3/4" wash brush and paint horizontal strokes that go left and right without covering the entire canvas. Start with ultramarine blue and blend in deep violet without rinsing your brush. This "wet on wet" blending technique allows the colours to mix on the canvas. Rinse your brush and then blend in cadmium red light, which will appear more like an orange. You may need to add more deep violet to help the colours blend.
Finally, if you want to add some texture to your background, load a brush with the darkest watered-down paint on your palette. Take another brush and tap the loaded brush against it, creating a splatter effect on your canvas. This technique will add interest and texture to your background.
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Painting the horse's head
Painting a horse's head can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and attention to detail, you can create a stunning and realistic artwork. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you paint a simple yet fancy horse's head:
Choose Your Reference Image and Colours:
Start by selecting a reference image that inspires you and makes your creative juices flow. You can find these online on websites like Canva.com or by taking a photo of a horse yourself. When it comes to colours, horses can be painted in a variety of ways, from realistic shades of brown, chestnut, and grey to more abstract and funky colour palettes. Choose colours that match your reference image or experiment with different shades to create a unique look.
Sketch the Outline:
Begin by sketching the horse's head on your canvas using a pencil. You can create a simple outline by breaking down the head into basic shapes. If you're not confident drawing freehand, you can use a printable traceable that you can transfer directly onto your canvas. This will give you a guide to follow as you paint.
Establish Basic Tones and Colours:
Using thin paint, establish the basic tones and colours of the horse's head. For the forehead, cheeks, and neck, use a round brush for the main areas and an angle brush for sharper outlines. Depending on the lighting and shading of your reference image, you may want to use colours like burnt umber, mars orange, yellow ochre, and various shades of brown and white.
Paint the Eye:
The eye is a crucial feature in bringing your horse's head to life. Horses, as prey animals, have oval-shaped pupils. Start by outlining the basic shape of the eye with carbon black, then use burnt umber for the rest of the eye and a grey mix for reflections. Add lighter grey highlights near the tear ducts and the iris to give it depth and dimension.
Paint the Muzzle and Nostrils:
The muzzle is an area where you can create soft textures. Mix black and white paint, adjusting the ratio to match the tone of the muzzle in your reference image. Paint the bottom part of the muzzle in a circular shape, then work your way up vertically or diagonally to the nose, forming a diamond shape at the top of the forehead. Paint the nostrils after the diamond shape has dried, using a mix of burnt umber and white.
Add Details and Refine:
Continue refining the painting by adding details and adjusting colours as needed. Pay attention to the lighting and shading, using techniques like "halo lights" to delineate the form and separate the horse's head from the background. You can also add details like veins using a thin brush with burnt umber. For the hair, use colours like raw umber, titanium white, burnt umber, and mars black, following the direction of the hair strands.
Remember, painting a horse's head takes practice, and you can always make adjustments as you go along. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to experiment and add your own creative flair to your artwork!
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Final touches
Now that you've established the basic structure of your horse painting, it's time to refine the details and add the finishing touches. Here are some tips to help you perfect your artwork:
Start by reviewing the overall composition of your painting. Check if the proportions of the horse's body, head, and limbs are accurate. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the anatomy is correct.
Next, focus on the horse's coat. Horses have short to medium-length coats, so it's important to avoid over-detailing the fur. Use soft, worn-out angle and round brushes to create subtle marks that follow the direction of the fur. This will help you achieve a natural look without making the coat appear too streaked or flat.
Pay close attention to the lighting and shading. Observe how light falls on the horse's body and create highlights and shadows accordingly. This will add depth and dimension to your painting. Remember to consider the direction and intensity of the light source when shading different areas of the horse.
Don't forget the small details that bring your horse to life. Add the final touches to the eyes, ensuring they capture the expressive nature of the horse. Enhance the details of the muzzle, nostrils, and mouth, creating soft textures that contrast with the more defined features.
Lastly, step back and assess the overall balance of your painting. Make any final adjustments to the colours and tones to ensure they accurately represent your subject. Remember, small changes can make a significant impact on the overall atmosphere and mood of the artwork.
Congratulations! You've completed your simple yet fancy horse painting. Enjoy the process, and feel free to experiment and add your unique artistic flair to your creation.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by drawing the horse's head on your canvas using a pencil. You can also print out a free traceable outline and transfer it directly to your canvas.
For the horse's hair, use the colours raw umber, titanium white, burnt umber, and mars black. Start by using a #12 bright brush (or a round brush) and double-load it with titanium white and raw sienna.
Outline the basic shape of the eye using carbon black. Horses, as prey animals, have oval-shaped pupils. Then, use burnt umber for the rest of the eye and a grey mix for the reflections.
You can add an abstract, colourful background to make your painting stand out. You can create a splatter effect by loading a brush with watered-down dark paint and tapping it over your canvas. Alternatively, you can use the wet-on-wet blending technique to perfectly blend, shade, and highlight your colours. You can also use carefully selected 'halo lights' to delineate the form of the horse, separating it from the background in a subtle way.
