My Watercolor Plein Air Set Up

I have had a few requests from readers to see my plein air set up for watercolors. I actually have 2 set ups for wc. A small one in my purse which I will detail in another post and my larger set up for bigger paintings. I use the Alla Prima 10 x 12 Bitterroot Pochade Box for my watercolors. This is a really great box hand made here in the USA by Ben Haggett!




Here is the box ready to go. I have a lightweight, 11 x 16 masonite board, my chair, water and tripod strapped to the pochade with elastic straps and I have added a shoulder strap that I took off an old bag. The whole thing weighs about 8 pounds.



Here a couple of photos of the set up. Ready to paint.

I use an enameled metal box which folds up and fits in the drawer or my new Heritage palette from Cheap Joe’s (which I really like but does not fit in the drawer) for my paints. I fill my own pans with M Grahams and a few Holbein colors. Board fits very nicely into the magnetic clips of pochade. I can also fit blocks of Arches paper in a variety of sizes very nicely. This is one versatile pochade box. I love seeing other set up so post links with what you use!





Below is a photo of my painting buddy- my 10 year old son, Aidan. He really enjoys the plein air experience and has been creating a watercolor nature journal.

Watercolor CityScape WIP 1

I painted this little acrylic of a street in Cork, Ireland the other night. This is a real departure frm my usual work of horses and dogs. I really enjoyed painting this. I painted this from a great reference photo that my husband took when he went home. This is acrylic and only measure 5 x 7 and is painted on cradled birch panel so it does not require framing.
Now I am attempting to do the same scene in watercolor. I am doing it quite a bit larger (11 x 14). I will post the WIP (Work In Progress) for this one. I am painting this on Arches 140 lb rough press. The first image is mt palette. I will probably on use 4 or 5 of the colors here. The second image is of my image of my initial sketch. You get one shot with watercolors so wish me luck! I will post updates as they become available.

Dress Blues- Hunter

Dress Blues is the title of this 14 x 11 watercolor . You can see the progression of this painting by scrolling further down the page. This depicts a classic moment of a show ring hunter in action. I love the play of light on this. I had to stop myself from doing more to this because it is so easy to overwork a watercolor. I have a sign over my drafting table that says, "Stop me before I kill again!" This piece can be yours for $180. It is unframedand not matted When it comes back from the framers price will go up! Email me for details deborah@deborahosullivan.com
Remember you can click on the image for an enlarged view.

Retriever Daily Paintings

I have managed to do two daily paintings.I have had several requests to do retrievers..so here thay are. These are retrievers painted on 5 x 7 hardwood cradled panels that are 3/4 inch deep. I have painted the side, applied 2 coats of satin varnished and wired them for hanging! No need to frame (unless of course you want to). These are headed to the Bakla Java for display but are also available on my Etsy site for $30 each plus $5 shipping. The swimming lab has sold! Thanks for all of the inquiries!

SOLD


SOLD

Back again

So sorry I have been so quiet lately. Doing another battle with Lyme and erlichiosis.. I started an herbal protocol with the doxy this time and am seeing a huge difference. My art has been selling well despite my break frm studio business and I would like to thank all of my new collectors for all of the wonderful comments on my art. Yesterday I delivered A Good Scratch to it's new home here in Pawling. This little 8 x 10 will be on the cover of The Chronicle of the Horse Magazine. Anyway, I dropped it off at a gorgeous horse farm and got a tour of the farm and met all of equine. The owners did such a beautiful job on the facility. A delightful afternoon. It iis always a pleasure when my art is appreciated by fellow horse and dog people!
I have listed Doxie in Blue and Viszla to my Etsy store. Cost foe each is $25 + $4.85 Priority Mail Shipping.

To purchase Visla...Click












To purchase Doxie in Blue...Click here


Keep an eye out for a lot more affordable small works! Let me know if you would like to see your breed and I always welcome good clear reference photos of dogs and horse for future paintings!




If you are in the area (Pawling, NY) be sure to stp into the Bakla Java Cafe on E Main for a nice cup of joe and to see some of my work! Enjoy!

Vizsla and Dachshund and an Exhibition

Quite a few updates for today. First is a new exhibition of my work at the Bakla Java Cafe on E. Main Street in Pawling, NY. I have both horse and dog original art and prints available for purchase.
I have been busy painting dogs these days. These two both measure 6 x 6 inches and are acrylic on canvas board. I am concentrating on getting one small painting dne a day so theses are quick, loose sketches.
The first is a Viszla. I am satisfied that I have captured the essence of the breed


To purchase Visla, go here..Buy Now

The second little painting is of a black and tan Dachshund. These are such darling little dogs! I I painted this one alla prima. Both paintings are available for purchase for $25 each plus $4.85 Priority Mail shippng.

To purchase Doxie in Blue go here..BUY NOW

Have a great weekend!

Foal Painting & Hunter WIP

Another painting finished. I am really enjoying the process of doing a daily painting. This is another small piece measuring 8 x 10, acrylic on canvas board. Titled Morning Light it captures a foal lying down in the tall grass. This is a very familiar sight this time of year around these parts. I used a reference photo from the Wet Canvas ref library. This one is available for sale for $45 and includes Priority Mail shipping. To Purchase
And be sure to check out some of this weeks previous offerings.





In addition to this acrylic painting I have been working on a rather large (for me) watercolor of a hunter (horse). This measure 14 x 11. The support I am using here is Arches Cold Press paper. Not my favorite paper so I am giving it another chance to see if I like it. I do LOVE to paint on Arches Hot Press. It is a lovely super smooth surface and it just lets me push the paint around. Today I am posting WIP1 & 2 (WIP stands for Work In Progress). It is very much in the uglies stage at this point but we will push through! ☺
First glazes going down here. When I work with these watercolor horse paintings I need to lay down a very detailed sketch first. Watercolor is not very forgiving since so many of the pigments I like working with are very staining so they won’t lift very easily.



Starting to throw a better shape here. Patience and more patience. More WIPS tomorrow! Remember, all images are clickable for an enlarged view. Have a great one!

Border Collie Painting

Hitting the studio with gusto! Today's daily painting is a Border Collie. What About Me? is the title of this one. It depicts my most favorite breed of dog. This one really, really wants to come out to play but can't reach the latch! :) This one is a small 5 x7, acrylic on canvas panel. As always can pop into a standard size stock frame. This little gem is super affordable and can be yours for $35 and includes Priority Mail shipping! SOLD

Flatwork Painting Completed

I have been laying really low these days so I apologize for my lack of updates. Been feeling icky with this Lyme disease. Here is the much delayed finish to the jumper painting. Titled Flatwork it measures 10 x 8 and is acrylic on canvas board. Check out the previous post for the story behind this piece of art. This one is available for sale. To purchase click the following and you will be directed to my website for a safe and secure transaction. Price is $80 and includes Priority Mail shipping and insurance. Purchase Flatwork

Jumper Schooling on the Flat WIP2

More on this little jumper painting. I had fully intended to finish this little painting last week but I wasn't feeling great. Those darn ticks got me again. I have Lyme...again... This is becoming my spring right of passage. Please, guys, check yourselves and your animals thoroughly for ticks after being in the great outdoors.
Okay, so back to this painting. When I first started out in horses I did the jumpers. I had a super Amateur Owner (A/O) horse named Mr CJ Bonkers. He was a super, super TB (ex racehorse) that I picked up cheap by paying his back board. His owner didn't want him anymore and he was just left in his stall for a couple of months when I found him. He was a very difficult, complicated spooky guy. But we clicked and we had a blast together. He was very accident prone..needed to be wrapped in bubble wrap....:) ..constantly getting stitches for this, cold hosed for that. He couldn't be tied and he spooked at everything when I first got him. His name was actually very appropriate! :) But this boy could jump and jump well and he was super fast. And I loved him dearly. We competed very successfully on the East Coast in the jumpers until I retired him at age 14 because of odd lameness issues that no vet could diagnose. Turns out he had LYME disease! Seeing a theme here? This was back in the early 80's before vets around here would routinely check for it. He was treated but never came 100% sound so he was lightly ridden, hunter paced, etc for fun .He loved to do stuff. He had an untimely, tragic death in a pasture accident at the age of 18 on Thanksgiving morning. He was an incredible boy. I am sure some of you have known a special horse like this. I'd love to hear about them!
So what,you may be thinking, does any of this have to do with this painting? The horse in the reference photo that I used for this could be his twin. So I will be using some of CJ's photos to complete this. I really will have this finished tonight.
This one is for those special horses. Let's hear about yours!

Jumper Painting

I just started this new painting of a jumper working on the flat this evening. I'm taking a little break so thought I would post the work in progress. I pretty much just blocked in the shapes here and will start to tighten things up a bit but not too much. I want to keep it loose and painterly. This measures 10 x 8 and is acrylic on canvas board. I apologize for the glare I took it with a flash but you can get the basic idea.
I listed a new quick sketch 5 x 7 painting yesterday in my Etsy store. It is a small acrylic sketch of an in- foal Gypsy Vanner from a reference photo from the Wet Canvas reference library. Painted on gessoed hardboard it can pop right into a stock frame and is ready for hanging. This is titled Gypsy Mama. 

SOLD

Maplebrook Art Show

Saturday evenings art opening was a great success. Great people, fabulous artwork, wonderful food, big Derby hats and a thrilling race! When we arrived there was a brass band outside dressed up in red and white stripes. The first person I saw was equine photographer extraordinaire Juliet Harrison. She made a rosette out of film for her hat. Very clever! Be sure to check out her website to see her wonderful work. Juliet Harrison Photography

That's me on the left with my crazy Derby hat with Juliet on the right.

My derby hat. I found this hat in a consignment shop and then just stuffed it with fake flowers and rooster, turkey and Guinea Hen feathers. My roosters are not very happy! ;-)

Juliet with one her entries.

Two of my pieces on display.The painting Eyelashes depicts an inquisitive little foal.
Below that is Power & Lightness which I have previously done a WIP here on the blog.

Tilly Strauss is a wonderful local artist who participated in the show. I adore her work as I find it both whimsical and haunting. It can catch me off guard and make me think. There is something in her work that I can really relate to. Be sure to check out her website and blog.
Tilly Strauss Website
Tilly's Blog Showing Up For the Muse

The art show runs until June 7 and all artwork is available for sale. See link for details.
Maplebrook Art Show

Interview

I was interviewed about my art on Equinest. To read the full interview go here.

A reminder! Tomorrow is the Maplebrook Art Show Opening. Info in the previous post. I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces!

I have been active on Twitter these days so why don't you hop on over and follow! To follow me go to @eponastudio. I offer a 20% discount on a first purchase of an original painting
to my Twitter followers. Be sure to notify me of your intent to purchase and your Twitter id so that I can send you an invoice with the reflected discount! Come join the fun!

I am off to the studio to paint. I have been selling well and need to make more art! Happy spring!

Power & Lightness

I think I am calling this watercolor done. Titled Power & Lightness it depicts a lovely stallion piaffing.
This is heading up to an art show next week and is available for sale. Matted, frammed and ready to hang for $650. I'll post the info when it becomes available.

Studio News- Art Events

The next couple of weeks will be pretty busy. So today's update will be event related. So mark your calendars! I am really looking forward to participating in these events.

ArtEast and Pawling Library Slide Slam
Friday, April 24, 2009
Pawling Library Annex
Broad Street
Pawling, NY

(845) 855-3444
Spend an entertaining and fun evening viewing the work of artists. Listen to what inspired each unique style.
Enjoy friendly conversation and refreshments with your fellow artist and art enthusiast.

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I am delighted to be exhibiting at the Maplebrook Show. I will post updates as they become available.

25th Annual Maplebrook Art Show & Sale
Opening Reception
May 2, 2009 5 pm
“Over Hill and Dale”
Art work will include a section representing the equestrian world, landscapes and other nature based themes and interpretations, especially those of our region and the greater Northeast.

This year’s show will coincide with and celebrate the running of the Kentucky Derby and feature a Derby theme at the opening including favorites such as mint juleps, big hats, and Kentucky celebratory foods, plus a viewing of the 135th annual race at Churchill Downs, “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

Piaffing Dressage Horse WIP

I had a nice long session in the studio last night and I thought I would post the results of my watercolor painting. This is a WIP of a dressage horse piaffing (or trotting on the spot).. WIP stands for Work-In-Progress. I am at the stage where I will look at it for a couple of days and then I will make changes or additions. This is 10 x 8 on Arches Cold Press. I usually work on hot press but I thought I would give the cp a go. I found that I couldn't push the paint and water around as easily. I used a pretty limited palette of cobalt, ult. blue, yellow ochre, aliz crimson and Payne's grey then azo, sap green and black(for the greens). All images are clickable for an enlarged view.

I worked wet on wet on the background just dropping paint and pushing it around.


Just laying down glazes. Not sure how I wil finish the rider's face. I don't want much detail on his face. So this is one of the things I need to figure out..



Still laying in glazes and playing around with the colors..



This is where I have ended up. I am pretty happy with it so far. I need to work on the bridle, the horse's eye and the rider's face,shirt and boot. Then do some softening of the lines where the colors come together. I don't want to overwork this.

And as always it has no title so suggestions are most happily welcomed! Naming paintings is harder for me that painting them!

Updated Photos

I wanted to post some better photos of this dressage painting. The glare in the previous post was bothering me. I have also included some close-ups shots. I will listing this on my Etsy Store this evening so be sure to check it out! I will post the link tonight. This is unframed, price of $335 includes Priority Mail shipping + insurance. A payment plan is available for this one and all artwork over $100. See my Etsy Store for details.

Half Pass Dressage Painting

I had a super productive day in the studio today. I had the whole day to myself and I just got into the zone. I am calling this one done...theoretically speaking of course. I may find something that needs tweaking here or there. I struggled with this painting a bit because I went into it without a plan what-so-ever. This is a horse doing a half pass across the diagonal. This is a larger painting..refreshing for me since I have been doing so many small pieces lately. This is acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas and measures 18 x 14. It is available for sale! Time to do a new watercolor.. comments always welcome! The image has a bit of glare on it. I apologize for that. Don't forget that all images are clickable for an enlarged view!

WIP #2 Herding Border Collie Painting

Here is the next installment on this little Border Collie painting. I am working on the perspective trying to achieve the correct depth between the dog and the sheep. I am having a bit of time with the sheep due to poor reference photos! Does anyone have any good reference photos of sheep coming towards you that I could you use? Drop me a comment or an email at deborah@deborahosullivan.com I would be eternally grateful! :)Thanks!
This quite a bit more to be done on it. It is a small 10 x 8 acrylic on gessoed hardboard.

Herding Dog Art - A Work In Progress

The dog paintings are flowing off the paintbrush these days. This painting is a combination of images brought together. I am using my own ref photos of Ireland, my Border Collie herding and separate sheep photos. I brought them together to create this little painting. Keep in mind that this is very much a work in progress. Now that the mainn ideas are blocked in I will start to work on deepening the values to create depth and interest. I am fascinated with working Border Collies...and I am hoping to catch that fascination and excitement in this painting. This is a 10 x 8 acrylic on gessoed board. Image is clickable for an enlarged view!

Don't forget the March Studio Sale at my Etsy shop. Some really nice original pieces available at very affordable prices! Epona Etsy Shop