Abstract Horses - WIP

The canvas was flipped over.  More white, yellow ochre and a mix of the brown with both colors added, then wiped away in places after spritzing with water or waiting until the paint almost dried.  I now see a large white shape on the left and a smaller horse head touching that, to the right of mid-center.  I'll do negative painting behind those shapes that will become horses, then add line here and there for definition, using a subtractive approach with this work in progress.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Abstract Horses - Work in Progress

 

Here is a 30x40 partially blank stretched canvas just sitting in the studio waiting for inspiration, so last week it was up on the big easel. My idea was to create simulated leather and rough rawhide texture by manipulating acrylics in brown and yellow ochre tones. I hoped to be able to discern horse shapes within the abstraction.  Using a 2"  sponge brush I applied Roasted Coffee by Valspar at random.

Next color was pure white.  In between spritzing with water and wiping with a rough paper towel, the paint smeared, ran, and blended a nice texture reminding me of western saddles, dry grass, and prairie lands.  After drying I added paint to all 4 sides, then turned the canvas around, up and down to find where to begin to pick out shapes that could be horses.  (Upper right is a north window glare).  Stay tuned for more to follow in this WIP.

Joyride - cat designated driver

6x6 watercolor and ink on Masters paper of my cat Midge learning to drive, painted a few days ago.  She is ready to assume responsibility for being the designated driver for those who need it on New Year's Eve Tuesday.  Midge will take you on a joyride for sure.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Fleece on Earth

5.75x9.75 watercolor of sheep; a ewe and her two baby lambs wishing you all a Happy New Year and Peace on Earth!
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Best Pals - Cat and Chihuahua

6x6 watercolor and ink on Masters paper of a young tabby kitten and fawn colored chihuahua snuggling together on a cold winter's night.  I've posted the ink sketch to show how I set up the painting stage.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Cat on Fence

6.5x6 watercolor of a longhaired cat sitting proudly on a farm fence.  This was painted yesterday on 140 lb Langton paper with Daniel Smith paints.  Tree shapes were scraped with bevel end of my brush into almost dry paint that has lost its sheen in distant background.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Last Sunflower

6x6 watercolor and Micron 01 pen sketch of one of the last studio sunflowers planted in August.  They were photographed in various stages of growth for future references.  With this painting done yesterday I tried to focus more on the background and let that be its focus although strongest value is its head of seeds.  Petals and leaves were left alone for the most part.  When dry I used a tiny stencil to letter sunflower lower left.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.