latest commission

This is a big change for me. Lots of green and foliage. The type of horse is new to me as well. These are Friesiens, big black and very long manes and tails with lots of feathering on the legs. Some time I would like to return to these horses to paint them in more detail. The detail wasn't great on the reference photo, so I have gone for action and feeling - I hope it works. This is a 14''x 16'' acrylic on canvasboard.

Ramadi update

I think this is just about done now. I like how it has turned out.

Ramadi

I have just started a new commission. This one is of Ramadi. She is an old horse and the idea is that she is reflecting back on a couple of the important events in her life.

This is really only at the beginning stages, but I like the way it is going.

Think I finished now

Well, after some minor and some major changes on this, I think I am now done with this one.

Nizam al Rayyan in oil

Almost finished this one, may make some changes or add more detail to the head, but am pleased with the result especially given that the reference photo for this one was extremely poor quality. It required a lot of filling in the missing bits - a bit like a CSI project!

The hardest part has been getting any detail on the head. None of the features were visible. I still have a bit o work to do on it, but I think it is looking more promising than a while ago!

Changes to Nizam al Rayyan

I made a few changes to the commissioned piece. I've put a graduated colour in based on the tones in the original paper. I think it helps the image to 'pop' more effectively.

Nizam Al Rayyan portrait

Well, I was recently asked to do a portrait of Nizam al Rayyan. Although the reference photos weren't too good, I think I am basically happy with the result. This is pastel on canson paper, but it is quite big 40cm x 60cm and flowers are not really my thing, but hey...

A chicken for Zeca

Before I left Portugal to return to the UAE I did a portrait of one of Zeca's chickens. It is a small 6x8 inch oil on canvas destined to decorate the kitchen at the horses where I ride at the Quinta de Pateiro.

New Medium - oil at last

Been having some fun this summer just messing about with oil paint for the first time ever. I like the feel of oils but hate the time they take to dry.

These are all 4x6 canvas board with no reference other than the images in my head - I just played around with the paint and

that is what came out. it has been fun, and I will definitely try something more ambitious with oils in the future. It is a shame I couldn´t get a better quality with the scans. Since I didn´t have my camera with me I had to scan them - oh well...

A blast from the past

Back in Portugal for a few months. Came across this watercolour that I did some time ago. As watercolours go, it has to be my best to date. The horse is called Baunilha, which means Vanilla, and it reminds me of the rides out we used to do in this area in the springtime. There was another that I found, which is also a watercolour of the mares and foals that were born quite some time ago. There are two new foals this year, but I haven´t had time to paint them yet!

Second of two

Here is the second commision piece - not quite finished but just about done. The colours as they appear on screen are much harsher than in the original, but that may be to do with my camera.

Arab Portrait

Just finished the first of two portrait commissions of Arab horses.

A picture for Tracey and Ali

I showed Tracey and Ali the picture I did for the GOH and they liked it so much they asked me to do one for them. It's not the same but I hope they will like it.