The above painting ended up as total experiment in painting more monochromatically and including some white paint. Ohmy! There are parts of it I like and other parts I can’t stand. I was totally inspired by an artist featured in the Watercolor Artist Magazine this month by the name of Anni Crouter.
Unfortunately, the article only gives a summary of how she uses the medium so off I go exploring. I was not brave enough to black out the background for fear I’d lose the whole image, so opted for dribbling white and sepia through it. I think I needed to use more colors to achieve the deep browns and blacks in these ponies. I did like that I had to concentrate on shape and form and the twist and turns of the leather on them. I even enjoyed frisketing the buckles and bits and other hardware on the bridles and harnesses.
Anni Coulter works on that new Arches Oil paper called Huile. I ordered some of that but have not tried it as yet. Will let you know what I think of it when I do.
One of these days, I’m going to get brave enough to black out a background and just leave hints of the shape. I thank Watercolor Artist Magazine for the subtle pushes it offers to try something new.
Thank you to Wet Canvas for the image of the pony team.