Thank you for your report!
We have received your report and it is currently under investigation by a forum moderator.
Hooked on horses
Welcome to the forum.
Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.
Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.
Hang on Studio Wall
This is a Studio member-only feature!
Join our Studio membership and save your favourite Painters Online content, from gallery artwork to step-by-step guides, to your own online mood boards. Create your go-to place for inspiration and learning. Plus, members can also enjoy a range of exciting features including monthly art videos and a digital magazine library.
If you are already a Studio member, simply login to your account.
Not a Studio member? Why not try our free 30-day trial - no commitment, no credit card required
Message
Posted
A few weeks back I took the plunge and attempted a watercolour of a horse , little did I know what I have let myself in for. Since the initial painting I have done several others depicting horse doing various jobs, it’s now become a bit of an obsession.
I throughly enjoy drawing then and also adding colour, I have ways love to sketch and draw , I have discovered a new interest in sketching due to this interest in horses. I have lots of sketch pads that I use for doodling and serious sketches extra, but I have now taken a leaf , not literally out of Lewis Coopers book or books and bought one specifically for horse sketches. Both my younger granddaughter are quite fascinated with horses so it will be for them in the end.
I wax lucky enough to come across a A3 landscape pad that wax reduce from £24 to £6 ax you can imagine I grabbed it, really good quality paper .
Attached photo of the book and my title page, I don’t know if I should use fix to stop any smudging so advice would be welcome .
Posted
That is a beautiful drawing Paul! I have found that graphite and pencil sketches do smudge which is disappointing when you plan that in the future it will be a legacy for your grandchildren. I have started using fixative on some drawings which seems to help but I am no expert so will be interested to hear what others have to impart
Posted
NO DO NOT USE HAIR LAQUER PLEASE .
Having done life drawings over thousands of years( yup I am that old) …I alway# have used a proper fixative for charcoal and pastel drawings. Hair lacquer smells bloody awful and discolours your work.
Having used sketch books over an equal thousand or more years using pen, pencil, graphite in them they have never smudged.
What you could use is a good tissue paper in between your pages and that will guarantee your work remains pristine. .
It all sounds lovely, my concertina book was less subjective but a joy to do . I am now doing one purely on natural objects and wildlife around me.
Sorry Bari…. X
Tarts boudoir springs to mind .
Edited
by Sylvia Evans
Posted
Thank you for your response Bari , Faye and Sylvia. I must admit I had my doubts about hairspray as I wax told ages ago it was a no no. Your concertina books are excellent Sylvia , this was one of those things that came to mind and then getting a bargain with the pad well I had to do it. Actually the more I think about it the more in cross for not doing it before . I was just a little uncertain as to the risk of smudging etc , like the idea of tissue as I don’t like using any chemicals or preservatives etc .
Posted
Good on you, Dixie. I do have a sketch-book set aside for drawings in blue monochrome. I got the idea from someone on Pol. I forget who, sorry. He/she had themed sketchbooks. I don't use fixative. I did try it eons ago and thought it messed up the drawing. Maybe fixatives (and/or hairspray) are better now. My blue book is done mostly in coloured pencil, a few in watercolour and pen. In this book, I'm only using one side of the paper, so each drawing is covered with a clean sheet of paper (the back of the previous drawing.) In other sketchbooks I gleefully fill all pages with all manner of water-based mediums.
My better quality books are used for more finished work, I have other cheaper books that I scribble ideas in. Mostly these sketches are too cryptic for anyone but me. I posted a page of these a while back for a laugh. Here it is....
...I put a mock frame on it to give it gravitas. The brown blob is a bit of unintentional action painting with a cup of coffee.
Just got a lovely 9 x 12 in Bristol Vellum 270gsm sketchbook. Not used yet. That will be themed. I just have to decide what. Keep up the good work on the horses. I think having a themed book gives extra impetus. (If you need it...I do.)
...I put a mock frame on it to give it gravitas. The brown blob is a bit of unintentional action painting with a cup of coffee.
Just got a lovely 9 x 12 in Bristol Vellum 270gsm sketchbook. Not used yet. That will be themed. I just have to decide what. Keep up the good work on the horses. I think having a themed book gives extra impetus. (If you need it...I do.)
Posted
Thanks Lew as the Lord of the Sketch books I value your opinion and comments. I was intending to only draw on the one side and leave the other blank . Like you I have several sketch / drawing books , what I call my scribbled , doodle pad and few more serious ones . This is the first time I have thought of doing a dedicated book , it’s expanded slightly as the girls would like a tractor or two and farm scenes . I won’t rush it but will plod a away at it, a suggestion was made that at some point , put a few words or comment on the opposite page for the girls to read in years to come. Both of them love spending time with me drawing and painting and started by sitting on my knee to help when I needed it. This was one of our sessions last year just after the first lockdown. 
L
L