Spanish Walk

Andalusian stallion El Apagon performing the Spanish Walk.  

"Spanish Walk"   24" x 30"   Oil

Thank you to Chon Macedo for posing his magnificent animal while in town for the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association's National Competition.

Tiana on Horseback

Tiana is a skilled horsewoman and the CEO at Classical Baroque Horse.  I met Tiana when she rode into town for the National Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Show here in Fort Worth, Texas.  She was kind to take time to pose for me and maybe someday I'll also paint her horse.

"Tiana on Horseback"   24" x 18"   Oil

Time-Lapse Video - "The Andalusian Horseman"

Hours and hours of painting in just half and minute.

Video by Justin Tennison

"The Andalusian Horseman"   30" x 30"   Oil

Fort Worth, Texas Magazine Blog -- The Andalusian

Click here to watch a time-lapse video and to learn more about this painting.

"The Andalusian"   36" x 36"   Oil

The Andalusian Horseman

The finished larger version of a Spanish horse and rider.

I met my subjects for this painting at the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association Championships held here in Fort Worth, Texas.  The award-winning horseman is Mario Contreras, whose family for generations has been skilled in the art of training horses.  The Andalusian stallion is Santiago and I am grateful to them both for providing such a wonderful subject to paint.

"The Andalusian Horseman"   30" x 30"   Oil

Andalusian Horseman

Every year the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association comes to Fort Worth for its National Championship Show -  and every year the show provides inspiring subjects to paint, such as this spanish horseman on an Andalusian stallion.

"Andalusian Horseman"   12" x 12"   Oil

Happy New Year!

"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things."  - John Burroughs

"Apagon"   36" x 24"   Oil

Detail

The Rearing Stallion In Progress

I'm currently working on a painting of the Andalusian stallion Apagon performing the levade (equestrian term for rearing up). Early on I couldn't resist finishing the eye and now it will be staring at me while I finish the rest of the painting!

Here's the painting in progress.  (An earlier false start is on the right.)

Apagon

I recently attended the Lusitano and Andalusian National Championship Horse Show here in Fort Worth.  Below is a small study for a larger painting that I'll be starting soon.

"Apagon Performing the Levade"   9" x 6"   Oil

Chon Macedo was so kind to pose his Andalusian Stallion Apagon for me!

I've heard it said that a small painting is no small effort.  I agree!

And just to keep things interesting...up next is a 30" x 60" cityscape.

Spanish Horse and Rider

"Study for Spanish Horse and Rider"   12" x 12"   Oil

I painted this small study in preparation for a larger version, to work out the details and color before beginning the large painting - but I also had another motivation for painting a small one.  I've been invited, along with about 90 other artists, to show three small paintings (nothing larger than 11x14) in Howard/Mandville Galleries' Small Works Show later this year - so I need to build up an inventory of smaller oils.

The rider started out with a red polo shirt but my most trusted critic (wife) suggested he wear a more formal riding outfit.

I think she was right...again.

"The Andalusian" Painting Progression

Video by Justin Tennison

"The Andalusian"   36" x 36"   Oil

The Friesian In Fort Worth

"The Friesian"   36" x 48"   Oil

The official breed of the Friesian horse is always black, has a thick mane and tail, and long, silky hair on the lower legs.  It has great presence and carries itself with elegance.  And it is great fun to paint.

Black In The Sunlight

"The Friesian Stallion"  (detail - in progress)   36" x 48"   Oil

Artist and teacher Charles Hawthorne, in his book "Hawthorne on Painting" said that painting black subjects in sunlight was the hardest thing to do.  I'm inclined to believe him!  This painting (still in progress) of a black stallion in the sun has been a challenge - but a challenge that I'm enjoying very much.  I'll show you the finished painting soon.

The Black Stallion Is Moving Along

"The Friesian Stallion"  (in progress)    36" x 48"   Oil

I'm making some progress on this painting of the Friesian Stallion.  On the horizon (from left to right) is the Casa Manana Theater, the Will Rogers Memorial Coluseum, a hint of the Kimbell Art Museum and on the far right, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

The Friesian Stallion - Getting Started

"Friesian Stallion"   36" x 48"   Oil  (in progress)

I've begun a painting of a Friesian stallion that I saw at the Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Show a couple of months ago.  This horse breed originated in Friesland, Netherlands, and the ancestors of these impressive horses were in great demand during the Middle Ages as war horses.  Below are photos of my impressive subject, Keesje.

Brushstrokes

John Singer Sargent said, "The thicker the paint, the more the color flows."  I believe that - and I do enjoy pushing thick paint around!  Often when we see paintings reproduced in a book or on a website they appear very smooth when in fact they are full of brushstrokes and textures.  That's one great reason to visit museums and galleries - to see paintings up close and in person, as they were meant to be seen.

"The Andalusian"  (detail)

"The Andalusian"   36" x 36"  Oil

Stepping Into The Light

"The Andalusian"   36" x 36"  Oil

The finished portrait of an Andalusian horse and rider.  From the Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Show at the Will Rogers Auditorium.

Three More Steps

The canvas is almost all covered with paint.

 It's now covered and I'm beginning to make adjustments here and there.

I'm adding detail to the horses head but the rider still has a blank expression.

"The Andalusian"  (in progress)   36" x 36"   Oil

The finished painting coming soon...

First Three Steps

Darkest dark.  Lightest light.  Brightest color.  These are what I like to paint first when I start a painting.  This helps me to judge my darks and lights correctly and my colors accurately.  Starting a painting off well is so important.  As a famous artist once said, "Well begun is half done."

"The Andalusian"  (in progress)   36" x 36"   Oil

"The Andalusian" Beginning

"The Andalusian"  (just started)   36" x 36"  Oil

Color Study for "The Andalusian"   8" x 8"   Oil

Just getting started on this painting of an Andalusian horse and rider that posed for me at the recent Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Show at Will Rogers Memorial Center.  The rider is Mario Contreras and the amazing horse is Xiomaro.  I'm going to have fun with this one!