Horse Work In Progress

     I currently have six paintings going right now It's amazing what feeling inspired will do for you! Three of them are horses and since you have asked here is a Work in Progress of one of them. I won't be divulging the name or final of this boy until it goes to it's new home. 

Step #1

    The sketch. I did several variations on the sketch and I like the composition of this one the best. I'm using Arches 300 lb Hot Press with a very smooth, bright white paper and is probably one of favorites because it is very suited for the way I like to work. This piece measure 14 x 11.

©Deborah Bollman
www.DeborahBollman.com

Step #2  

     Laying down the lightest glazes first and saving the white of the paper.

©Deborah Bollman
www.DeborahBollman.com

Step #3

     Starting to lay in the darks and modeling the musculature. As soon as I start adding some of the darkest darks the light seem to appear from nowhere. 

©Deborah Bollman
www.DeborahBollman.com

 Be sure to follow my blog or sign up for my newsletter for studio updates!

Newsletter Sign Up

Holiday Portrait Gift Commissions

     THe holidays are right around the corner! Time to start thinking about commissioning those holiday portraits. I've already have a few spots spots booked! If you are thinking of giving the gift of a horse, dog or NFL football portrait/painting, please, don't hesitate to contact me. The process is super easy to get started! For more info drop me an email at deborah@deborahbollman.com

©DeborahBollman
Luke, Watercolor, SOLD

©Deborah Bollman
Running For Glory, WatercolorAvailable
FASO Bold Brush Top 15%

Have an amazing day!

Deborah

Rapture.. The Latest Painting by Deborah O'Sullivan

     This gorgeous weather has found me outside the studio working on my plein air skills. It has become quite an addiction! I adore getting out there with the watercolors and seeking out great painting spots.
     I always have two or three pieces going in the studio and I thoroughly enjoy working late into night with my music and Border Collie to keep me company. I have always been a bit of a night owl and find it easier to just get in the zone at night.
     I started  on this latest painting a while back and just hit a wall as to where I was going with it. So I let it sit in a spot where I could constantly just look at it to see what I could come up with. A few nights ago I just popped it onto the easel and literally with no plan just started throwing paint at it.  Literally!  I LOVE the drips on the bottom right and the way the rider just fades away. The horse is my focal point and I just wanted her to pop and not compete with the rider.
     This is much larger than I usually work. Almost a full sheet of Arches Hot Press 140lb paper. Available for sale unframed. The price will go up when I have it framed. MUCH more affordable to ship unframed! $850 includes shipping and insurance.  If you would like to give Rapture a home or would like more photos drop me an email! email  I will be happy to give you the details.Or click here to purchase

 Rapture

All the best,

Deborah

Happy New Year! Newf watercolor and Dressage Painting

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Now it is back to our regularly scheduled programmimg! :) I took a holiday break and now I am back to work in the studio. 
I have some interesting blog posts coming up.. so stay tuned!
I've  got a wonderful new easel...The Cheap Joe's Signature Field Easel which I will review here with photos. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this easel
I will review a book that a wonderful author/friend wrote. The book is titled Memoirs of a Bathtub Psychic by Bethanne Elion. I know it is not about art (although she is an artist, too) but this book is a wonderful read.
I will be posting more about the painting process itself. Lots of WIPS and commentary on techniique and answers to some of my most frequently asked questions.

I am looking forward to creating some wonderful new art this year.  Here is the start of a new dressage horse and rider work in progress. This is very large 30 x 22 (full sheet) watercolor. This is the initial stages of glazes ...lots more work to be done on this. After doing so many smaller pieces last year I have been wanting go larger!

I also have a couple of pieces that I had started that got put aside as commissions and pressing commitments came in. One of them is Newfoundland pup that has been haunting me. I started the painting.. early last year (I think) and as I was organizing the studio it's cute little eyes (which I had almost finished painting) were peering at me over a stack of canvases. This one I will finish this week. I got a huge chunk completed last night.

The eyes are almost completed here. This painting will require a lot of glazing. This is my typical portrait style watercolor . I thoroughly enjoy doing these and I haven't done many of late because of my many acrylic painting commitments. I need to take my time at this point to lay done the initial washes of color. This will help to creath depth as the painting progresses and the values deepen. So does anyone recognize WHO this little Newf pup is?

Enjoying the process!

Deborah

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deborah O'Sullivan
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Facebook Fan Page

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.

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!

Dressaeg Work In Progress

I am posting several images of the progression of this acrylic Dressage painting. I went into this painting without any sort of plan what so ever. Not a good idea...it has gone through many changes and has been a bit of a compositional challenge. I need to get rid of that low fence line..I have added a planter of flowers to break up the line... I need to stare at it for a while. You never know where this one will end up! I welcome discussion or thoughts on where to go compositionaly on this! All images are clickable for an enlarged view

Mare and Foal WIP (Work in Progress)

I have been working quite a bit in the studio lately. I found myself tending to the business side of being an artist and neglecting my painting time!

I broke out the watercolors and started laying down the initial glazes of this painting of a mare and foal. My reference picture has brilliant azaleas behind the horses and it is such a feast for the eyes in color. The paper is a bit large for my scanner so I apologize for the unintentional crop job! This measures 11 x 14 , M Graham Watercolors (my favorite) n 140 lb Arches Hot Press paper. As always comments welcome!

I have had so many wonderful comments on my Baroque ACEO that I decided to go ahead and paint it in acrylics. I am very happy with the result. Titled Baroque 3 (for want of a better name) I am very pleased with the result. I am looking for a better title so feel free to suggest a new name in the comments area of the blog! Available fo sale on my website.
Acrylic on canvas board
unframed
12 x 8
$250

Click for details!

To Purchase Baroque3