Lesson 14: Developing the Horse’s Wild Character

As we move forward, we can start adding a little character to our subject. Today’s subject is scrappy Mustang, a wild horse with a thick, untamed mane, and I’d like to have some personality shining through. I want to suggest the texture of his coat, keeping in mind what kind of environment this horse might live in.

Defining Key Features with Purposeful Strokes

I’m starting to define areas like the jaw muscles, creating subtle, meaningful lines that hint at the strength of this wild horse. I’m adding in bone structure around the cheek and nasal area. Notice how I soften some lines to make the features blend more naturally into one another, enhancing the face's dimension and the softness of the coat.

Creating Depth Around the Eye and Ears

The area around the eye needs shadow to suggest the hollow that naturally sits behind it. The ears are small and a bit fluffy, and now is the time to start adding some of that character in. Take your time and think carefully about each brushstroke and what it’s communicating. At this stage I’m holding my brush right next to my reference almost constantly to make sure that each time I add a bit of color it will be spot on. 

What Are You Picking Up?

At this stage, it’s extra important to be conscious about what paint you’re picking up on your brush; since we’re starting to layer paint on top of our previous layer, you may pick up some unwanted color that you don’t want to muddy up your next brushstroke. Feel free to rinse and wipe your brush on a paper towel as often as necessary.

Crucial Decisions 

This is the part of the process where we take the simple roadmap that we created in the beginning and we begin to add complexity. Take your time as you take stock of your references, deciding what information needs to be added and what can be left out. Oftentimes, less is more! 

Watch my MasterDemo to learn more.