Equestrian Artists - Need help with Painting Horses [ Photo realism/realism]

**Odayga** · July 12th, 2006, 04:50 PM

Sorry if i havent posted any "progress pictures" or examples of what im working on. the horse hasnt been started yet but its close to being started. just wanted to know if there are any good equestrian artists on this site that could really help me out with painting horses. or if anyone knows of any good reference sites. i dont know much equestrian artists [ except for my friend erica. which isnt famous or "big" ]. please help.

[ edit ] Oh and im using ACRYLIC PAINT *kisses acrylic. me luvs acrylic*

**White Rose** · July 12th, 2006, 08:25 PM

www.google.com
www.yahoo.com

use the search engines.

**Odayga** · July 12th, 2006, 08:48 PM

Alright. but. what i want are good techniques on painting photo realism/realism horses.

**Steph Laberis** · July 12th, 2006, 08:59 PM

There's no special technique used to paint horses, they're an object that reflects and absorbs light like anything else.

You won't find anyone specialized enough here to be called an equestrian painter - most narrow category people here would shove themself into is "artist"

Your best bet is to find your own ref, get started and ask some specific questions to artists who do work that you admire or aspire to. If you have examples of the kind of technique you're after, show that as well.

**Red_Rook** · July 12th, 2006, 09:01 PM

I doubt you will encounter any special "horse drawing tips" you just need to start drawing fereal with paper and pencil learn about proportions and start drawing from life, you wont be making masterpieces over night just yet, but once you start seriousely drawing something you will be shocked by how steadily you improve. Try and find a stable with real horses and see if you can acctually draw them from life. That will do you the most good, it can be an acrylic sketch/painting thats fine. Photorealism on the other hand is a categorie of its own make sure you dont cofuse it with just generally realistic looking work.

**DavePalumbo** · July 12th, 2006, 10:02 PM

did anybody else get their mind blown when they realized that horses (and dogs, and elephants, etc.) all have the same general skeletal structure as humans, but reproportioned?

**Cwn Annwn** · July 12th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Even whales, check out their fingers int the flippers. Freaky stuff.

Back on topic, whatever medium you choose or style you end up with just make sure you've done enough studies of the animal you're painting. The amount of painted witherless-oddly-jointed horses out there is scarily high. Why copy an existing equestrian artist? Do something individual. Most of them ended up painting a horse side-view in a static show stance anyway.

**Odayga** · July 12th, 2006, 10:44 PM

Ive been horseback riding//working with horses for most of my life. and am very passionate about it just as i am with god and art. so yeah anyways back onto topic. i can always ask erica. but shes like never available. hm. ill just send her an e mail. plus i have other friends that own like tons o' horses. once i get my own. i can use it as reference 24/7 yay!

**DMickey** · July 12th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Well there's the perfect way to do studies heh, when your horseback riding maybe get there half an hour in advance and do some sketches. I was going to say there's probably some books on animal anatomy but your better off just looking at them in real life, and you'll learn a lot from it.

**waronmars** · July 13th, 2006, 04:55 AM

I can help you out with anatomy, but I left my magic horse painting skill pills in my other pants. Also I will not help if I get spammed in any way, shape or form. I'm not specifically an equestrian artist but before the starriness got smacked out of my eyes by the reality of owning horses, I drew them alot, so I have a fairly good knowledge of what looks 'right'. PM me and don't let me regret offering help.