"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Monday, November 18, 2013

Dancing Horse Revisited

Equine #12 / oil on linen panel / 16 x 20
I have painted this particular equine dance step before but it intrigues me so I tried it again, a little larger this time.

Renoir / oil on linen panel / 14 x 11
And a quick oil portrait sketch of Renoir from a black and white photo, of course!
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26 comments:

  1. Simonne's fantasiestudioNovember 18, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    Susan, ik hou van je dansende paarden , maar ook je portretten vind ik fantastisch.
    groetjes van Simonne

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:30 PM

      They are my two favorite things to paint - horses and people. Thank you, Simmone!

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  2. art by Michael PerchardNovember 18, 2013 at 1:55 PM

    I am in awe!
    So happy!
    Michael

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:31 PM

      It amazes me - the contortions that my horses can assume! :)

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  3. Maike JosupeitNovember 18, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    oh happy day with your spooky horse and portraits, thank you:)

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  4. Stephanie BerryNovember 19, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    Your horse paintings always amaze me. I think your portraits of Frank and Renoir are super and have your signature style to them. All I can say after catching up with your blog is I wish I could draw like you. Hope you're well out of your slump now. To my eye your work is consistently great.

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:35 PM

      I do love drawing and especially love drawing from life. I am starting to think about attending life figure sessions again but they are not offered again until next year. I am putting that terrible slump behind me. Thanks for your wonderful support.

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  5. Studio at the FarmNovember 19, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    Susan, your equine dancer is superb, and definitely well worth another painting!!! And I do like your portrait of Renoir. What an intense-looking man.
    Kathryn xx

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:40 PM

      Thanks, Kathryn - I thought the same about Renoir - his intensity in the black and white reference was quite apparent. Before I saw the photo, I had no idea what he looked like! It's fun to paint the artists themselves, I have done a few over the years and always am drawn back to trying another.

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  6. Linda RothNovember 19, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    This painting is beyond my limited vocabulary. All this "valley girl" can say is awesome. Your knowledge of equine atatomy is astounding. I can feel the twist of his body. --Renoir does look prim and serious. Do you think he painted his glorious women wearing a suit?

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:43 PM

      Awesome - that is a very nice word from a Valley Girl! I do admit to being fascinated with anatomy - especially equine and human. And regarding Renoir - I would not be all that surprised to find out that he DID paint while wearing his suit. Can you imagine that?

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  7. JudyNovember 20, 2013 at 1:08 AM

    Seeing this horse I know you are out of the slump! I love your dancing horses! And the portrait is great!

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:44 PM

      They are fun subjects for me - and, yes, me too, Judy. That slump is behind me now and its full steam ahead.

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  8. JaneNovember 20, 2013 at 1:35 AM

    A gorgeous portrait of Renoir, one of my favorite painters. Great contrasts and intense expression . And your fabulous horse painting just shows us you are back on track again:-)

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:44 PM

      Hi, Jane - its always a great challenge to paint from a black and white photo - especially human skin. Sometimes it works and sometimes, not so much!

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  9. Sandra BusbyNovember 20, 2013 at 3:03 AM

    You do make me chuckle... 'A quick oil portrait sketch'... Did you just knock this up one day?? Lol! Well, I think it is amazing work!! Both of them! :0)

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:52 PM

      Hi, Sandra - yes, this little portrait was done at one sitting - probably about 2 1/2 or 3 hours. I did the portrait of Frank in 3 hours as well. I find that whenever I try to paint portraits in stages, I lose something vital to the likeness and character. And I don't seem able to recover my original intensity or love for the subject. Sometimes, when its a double portrait or I am working large, I do paint over 2 or 3 sessions - but not generally. You are the master of painting in stages with a more classical approach than my haphazard style!

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  10. cath carboneNovember 20, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    Merveilleux travail Susan !!!!!
    Très joli post! Interesting post !
    Merci de ta visite et de tes gentils commentaires sur mes pages, Merci, bonne journée!

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:55 PM

      Many thanks, Cath - so glad you like my style!

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  11. irinapicturesNovember 20, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    At last I see your horse again. Good sign. Looks like it has plans on flying, good sign for the author, I think, too.
    Quick portrait sketch? He-he-he. It is amazing.

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    1. SusanNovember 20, 2013 at 4:58 PM

      I have had so much fun with this equine series - I am sure that #12 will not be the last. I generally call my alla prima portraits 'sketches' as they generally are unfinished to a certain degree - such as Renoir's shirt and jacket. I am fascinated with the faces - no so much the clothing!

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  12. Victor ErringtonNovember 21, 2013 at 1:56 AM

    Hi Susan.
    Both the mad Horse painting and the portrait painting are absolutely brilliant, couldn`t have been painted any better. full marks here Susan. It seems that you have made it back my friend. All the best.
    Vic.

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  13. suzanneberryNovember 21, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    WONDERFUL!! EXCITING! SPONTANEOUS!

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  14. ashokDecember 6, 2013 at 3:18 AM

    The dancing Horse is absolutely awesome! my favorite of your works! I wud love to try it someday with your permission!

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  15. hmuxoDecember 12, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    How did I miss these paintings!! I feel the movement with this dancing horse, Susan...Beautiful work and I love the portrait...wonderful skin tones and color!!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!

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