Bay Percherons Progress in Watercolor

Here is the progress as of today, Nov., 18th. This is a watercolor of Bay Percherons teamed together.
I've been posting the progress, you will find in older posts here on this blog.
I'm still liking this so far, so I guess I am doing ok on it! lol.
I'm working on getting that bouncing and reflective light that happens in the late afternoon evening. The day has been hot and bright and now it is cooling down and the glow of the setting sun bounces it's orange colors around. I love that time of day.
Thanks for looking and reading,
Debbie

"Slinging mud" Receives an Award

I'm very pleased to announce that my Watercolor painting "Slinging mud" received Honorable Mention at the Draft Horse Classic, 'Art at the Classic' in Grass Valley, CA., during their exhibit & show in September of 2009.
There seems to have been a glitch somewhere along the line, as there was no ribbon with the painting while on exhibit and no ribbon or award list came home with the paintings in the box.

I was just recently made aware that my name had been on the award list, by another Equine artist that I admire, Yvonne Kitchen. She was at the exhibit with her award winning sculptures, and also took photos of the art. Thank you Yvonne!

This year, I'm told by the coordinator, that the fair grounds was handling the paperwork and that this is the 1st time they have switched who does what. So a little glitch. They expect next year to go much smoother with this process.
The Draft Horse Classic is a very pretigious event and draws in a large Draft Horse crowd with their Drafts, every September. It's held on the Nevada County Fair Grounds. It's a very big deal to just get a work of art acepted into the art exhibit, which I had two accepted. But then to find out I won an award was even sweeter!

Debbie

The Bay Percheron Progress in Watercolors

Here is two stages of the progress on this watercolor of the Percherons. This top image was the progress on it from Saturday (Yesterday). Defining and finding shadow layouts. And enriching the right horse's bridle. I also filled in with under painting on the face of the horse to the left.

This image, to the top here, shows work done on Sunday (today).  I had to laugh, when my husband looked at this last stage, he asked, "What have you done?". Ha ha...he's so funny! Detail is what I've done! Detail I say! And more layering of color. Watercolor is transparent and layering is the key to luminous glowing color! Look to the area to the left just over the horse's rump. You should be able to see I darkened that green. Brought it up to the level of the dark green over the right horse's rump! This frames them and pushes them into one another. I'll also go into that left top corner too, with more dark. It will balance things a bit more. I also worked on getting the color, on those glowing orange reins, a little more 'rich'. And defining the shadows on those so they pop up off the horses. And look to the muzzle and nostril of the horse to the left and you will see I also enhanced that area and made it 'pop' out a little more. It's so fun to 'sculpt' with the paint! Always remember, that if you want an item believable, make your brush strokes go in the direction of the object you are painting. Sculpt it. And use shadows to define shapes.

I hope you enjoyed this little update.

~Debbie

'Grumpy Draft' Watercolor finished

Here is the final photograph of the 'Grumpy Draft'. This Watercolor is 18 x 15 inches. I really love this painting. The colors are all harmonious with the background colors in the horse and the horse colors in the background. Using shadows, I was able to define the mane more and give it an appearance of hanging away from his neck. And also the appearance that sunlight is glowing off from it in places. This is a very pleasing painting and it would make such a nice addition to your Equine art collection or the start of a new collection.

If you are interested in adding a print of this to your collection, let me know and we can discuss what size would best fit your needs. All Giclee prints are reproduced onto soft and sensual watercolor paper and all materials are archival.

~Debbie

Dark Red Bay Percherons, New Watercolor

I've started a new Watercolor this week. This is how far I have come on this as of today. This image is 13 x 14 inches. I took the reference photo at a Draft Horse Show this past Summer. I took so many photos that day. These two were part of a six horse hitch of dark red bay Percherons. I decided to crop the image to get an intimate feeling with the two up front, leading the pack. I'm getting very addicted to this painting. I go to bed at night, thinking how I would love to work on it...but my lighting isn't very good in the studio at night. Not for getting true colors anyways. I've been thinking about those lights that create daylight in the studio. I may do some research on those. But then...I would be tempted to stay up at all hours of the night painting! That might not be so good for me. I wouldn't get much sleep and my family really wouldn't like me then! So I work hard all day on it, get a good nights sleep and jump out of bed in the morning...rearing to go at this painting again!
I finished the grumpy draft horse. I haven't photographed it yet. I'm waiting for the best lighting situation to get a true to color image. A client saw it in person tonight and she really liked it. I think it will be a popular image! Maybe a Giclee reproduction is in store for that painting. He's such a moody, grumpy horse, with a tangled mane!

Thank you for following my Blog. I enjoy painting and I really enjoy showing them to you. Even better is when you like them enough to add them to your collection. That is the ultimate praise to give an artist.

~Debbie

"Winter day's work" Studio Holiday image

Today's painting is "Winter day's work" 5 x 7 Watercolor $50.00. The first inquiry to my email debflood@debfloodart.com gets first dibs on this Very Special Painting!

 

Why is this painting so special you ask? It just so happens to be my Studio Holiday Postcard image for this year!

This wonderful reference image hails from my archived photo files from the local horse shows. Hey, can you see the wrap of bullets around the withers of the horse? This boy is learning young, how to ride the weather and work hard. I'm sure he'll understand what that means when he reads this. Yes, this is a very special painting indeed. And yes, his mom has seen it and ordered her print of it! So that means,,,the original is up for grabs!

 

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. I had thought about taking the day off from the Child a days, but realized I'll be taking time off during the Thanksgiving Holiday, so I hope you can join me tomorrow for something very special. It is an image sent in by a follower/reader and I'm sure it will be appreciated to share it with everyone tomorrow.

 

Until then, enjoy the child a days and remember, you can always submit an image to the child a days, by sizing your JPG to 5 x 7 at 300dpi and send it on through to my email. I look forward to immortalizing your young one, with a favorite pet too!

 

Debbie

More progress on the Grumpy Draft's tangled mane

Here's my progress on the mane of the Grumpy Draft Horse. I had to stop for a bit today. I actually have a little more completed than what shows here, as I took a photo during work. I also darkend the field with more rich colors.
I'll be going to the Tray Chic Dinner and Auction tonight. My mustang themed table will be up for auction to benifit the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor Maine

Here is the table that I painted. They are also auctioning off a blank table, and the winner gets a pet portrait painted on it by me. Should be a fun night!

~Debbie

Tray Chic Dinner and Auction Maine Discovery Museum Saturday Nov. 7th

Saturday, November 7th is the Dinner, Live Auction for the Tray chic tables! These tables are being Auctioned off by the Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor Maine.The event starts at 5pm.

I painted the table themed "Mustangs". They also have absentee bids if you cannot make it to the Auction. You can contact them through their website link above.

I also agreed to have them Auction off a blank table and the winner will get a personal pet portrait on their table! Created by me. My husband and I will be at the Dinner/auction. I'm excited to see what the tables may go for when all is said and done.

The event is being held at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor, Maine. I hope to meet some of the other artists who painted tables also! Lots of fun.

~Debbie

Grumpy Draft Horse, watercolor in progress

I started working on a Grumpy Draft horse yesterday. I have a slug of images from this past summer, where I took photos of these draft horses (Belgians) at a farm in their pasture. I was actually at a horse show and these big guys live next door, across the road. I know the owner, and I saw him start to go over to his pasture from the show. Over there was a group of children with parents, looking at the peacful giants out there grazing. Some of the horses noticed the people at the fence and started to wander over to see what they might have for treats, I suspect. I knew this would be a great photo op...the large horses, the small horse crazy little girls! So over I went! The owner ducked under the fence and grabbed the halterless head and over they sauntered. The other horses all soon followed.
I bet at this point you are wondering, why was this horse so grumpy?! Well, he was more jealous than anything. You see, these big guys love attention! And if one thinks someone else in the herd is getting more lovin' and pats than him...well, he shoots a warning look at the attention hog! I loved the drama that was playing out with this guy. In the reference photo the other horse is right under his neck and head, but I decided to leave all that out and let the viewer come to his/her own conclusion as to why this guy is looking so grumpy. Looks like a bad hair day with all those tangles in his mane!
This painting is 18 x 15, created with Watercolors. These photos are the work in progress. The top image shows the full painting. The middle photo shows it on the easel and helps you see the size of the piece in reference to the easle and other things. The last photo is a close up of the head, so you can see the details that have been added already.
Today I worked on the tangled mane. I'll get a photo of that, hopefully tomorrow.

~Debbie