An introduction to my Horse Portraits
View horse portraits I’ve created for clients at the links here or go to the drop down gallery menus in the top menu.
Portrait of Jazzabout
” Thank you for the wonderful painting of Jazzabout.
You have captured him in a way that shows off his beautiful kind eye and gentle nature, but have still managed to capture his happy soul. This horse is very dear to me and has given me a lot of enjoyment in both training and competitions .
Now every time I walk past my lovely painting I can enjoy seeing him portrayed forever in Oils.”
Click here to learn more
My painting’s bring your horse to life much better than any photograph.
Although I work from photos , as an artist I can selectively enhance , play down or remove areas to come up with a painting that really captures them for a lifetime of treasured memories.
For a gift that no one else can match,
a painting of a horse and rider is something that will touch the hearts of all involved.
Your portrait will look like your horse , not just a generic breed, and with quality custom framing will look great on your wall!
Much time is taken to ensure it captures not only a likeness but also the essence of your horse.
If you have ever taken a photo of a few horses you’ll know that it’s practically impossible to take a group photo of animals and have every one looking it’s best. This is even harder when riders are in the equation!
I can create your ideal memory of your horse and partnership.
You may have a photo you really like but it’s not quite “right”.. Your horses carriage isn’t quite right , you’d like more activity or your own facial expression leaves a lot to be desired. With suitable photos I can correct these to create your perfect memory!
read more
Things to keep in mind when supplying reference photos-
Best results are obtained by using sharp in focus photos photos with your horse in the sun so there is gloss on their coat. If you are taking a full body photo a close -up of their head from the same angle is good.
Professional photos are great but you will need to contact the photographer and check that it is ok for me to use their photo’s as reference.( This shouldn’t be a problem).
Additional photos will help me to get a better idea of your horse and are invaluable if we are improving on the original photo.
If you are local I can come and take suitable photos.
My painting’s bring your horse to life much better than any photograph.
Although I work from photos , as an artist I can selectively enhance , play down or remove areas to come up with a painting that really captures them for a lifetime of treasured memories.
For a gift that no one else can match,
a painting of a horse and rider is something that will touch the hearts of all involved.
Your portrait will look like your horse , not just a generic breed, and with quality custom framing will look great on your wall!
Much time is taken to ensure it captures not only a likeness but also the essence of your horse.
If you have ever taken a photo of a few horses you’ll know that it’s practically impossible to take a group photo of animals and have every one looking it’s best. This is even harder when riders are in the equation!
I can create your ideal memory of your horse and partnership.
You may have a photo you really like but it’s not quite “right”.. Your horses carriage isn’t quite right , you’d like more activity or your own facial expression leaves a lot to be desired. With suitable photos I can correct these to create your perfect memory!
read more
Things to keep in mind when supplying reference photos-
Best results are obtained by using sharp in focus photos photos with your horse in the sun so there is gloss on their coat. If you are taking a full body photo a close -up of their head from the same angle is good.
Professional photos are great but you will need to contact the photographer and check that it is ok for me to use their photo’s as reference.( This shouldn’t be a problem).
Additional photos will help me to get a better idea of your horse and are invaluable if we are improving on the original photo.
If you are local I can come and take suitable photos.
With suitable photos I can improve on the original photo to create your perfect portrait!
See how I have done so with the portrait below.
With suitable photos I can improve on the original photo to create your perfect portrait!
See how I have done so with the portrait below.
The original reference photo.
Power & Grace
59 x 59cms image size
Custom Framed Oil portrait.
read what I did to improve on the original photo
I’ve made the girl look ahead rather than down.
All this has made the horse and rider stars .
The framed portrait on the wall.
The original reference photo.
Power & Grace
59 x 59cms image size
Custom Framed Oil portrait.
read what I did to improve on the original photo
I’ve made the girl look ahead rather than down.
All this has made the horse and rider stars .
The framed portrait on the wall.
Notice how in a larger portrait I can get more detail into the rider’s face because the face is larger.
This portrait is of Cheryl Duff with Mr Expensive and All Zipped up. It’s a 75 x 85cms image size.
Cheryl Duff with Mr Expensive and All Zipped up.
75 x 85cms image size.
This portrait was created using a dozen separate photos.
Read more about it's creation
Here are the photos used in it’s creation.
I combined the 2 horses from separate photos. I had to mirror reverse the photo of the Chestnut horse to suit the pose but then remember to change his markings back to make them correct. I used additional photos of the saddlery for detail and to create the saddle that was obscured by Cheryl sitting on the horse in the original photo. Similarly I used extra photos to make up her legs that were missing. We also used another photo to help with Cheryl’s face.
Some size suggestions
All my portraits are customised for you.
See different size portraits I have created for clients.
18 x 24cms -Pastel sketch special – best for a front on head portrait. Pastel only option.
30 x 40cms – Good for a head only pose or a general full body .
I can create a full body portrait in this size but it won’t have as much impact. A head portrait is better for showing your horses character as I can put expression and detail into their eyes.
40 x 50cms -Horse and rider – front on or compact poses .
Larger sizes
“Mum loves the portrait. There were lots of tears, but we all agree it’s a great likeness.”
50 x 60 / 60 x 70cms
Larger sizes are great to show the grace and power of your horse or their athletiscm and overall beauty.
With a 50 x 60cm side on horse portrait your horses head will be approx 4- 5cms long. If you were looking at him at that distance you wouldn’t be able to see the colour or details in his eyes. I can’t put any real detail into his eyes as there is no room and it will look unnatural. Similarly a riders face will be only a few cms long so the features will be suggested rather than detailed.
Notice how in a larger portrait I can get more detail into the rider’s face because the face is larger.
This portrait is of Cheryl Duff with Mr Expensive and All Zipped up. It’s a 75 x 85cms image size.
Cheryl Duff with Mr Expensive and All Zipped up.
75 x 85cms image size.
This portrait was created using a dozen separate photos.
Read more about it's creation
Here are the photos used in it’s creation.
I combined the 2 horses from separate photos. I had to mirror reverse the photo of the Chestnut horse to suit the pose but then remember to change his markings back to make them correct. I used additional photos of the saddlery for detail and to create the saddle that was obscured by Cheryl sitting on the horse in the original photo. Similarly I used extra photos to make up her legs that were missing. We also used another photo to help with Cheryl’s face.
Some size suggestions
All my portraits are customised for you.
See different size portraits I have created for clients.
18 x 24cms -Pastel sketch special – best for a front on head portrait. Pastel only option.
30 x 40cms – Good for a head only pose or a general full body .
I can create a full body portrait in this size but it won’t have as much impact. A head portrait is better for showing your horses character as I can put expression and detail into their eyes.
40 x 50cms -Horse and rider – front on or compact poses .
Larger sizes
“Mum loves the portrait. There were lots of tears, but we all agree it’s a great likeness.”
50 x 60 / 60 x 70cms
Larger sizes are great to show the grace and power of your horse or their athletiscm and overall beauty.
With a 50 x 60cm side on horse portrait your horses head will be approx 4- 5cms long. If you were looking at him at that distance you wouldn’t be able to see the colour or details in his eyes. I can’t put any real detail into his eyes as there is no room and it will look unnatural. Similarly a riders face will be only a few cms long so the features will be suggested rather than detailed.
Left – Jeremy Janjic with his gorgeous Fresian stallion Django of Cacheral
c 0.7 x 1m Gallery wrap oil
Detail of a rider’s face in a larger
60 x 70cms horse & rider portrait.
Detail of a riders face in a 50 x 60cm
Horse & rider portrait.
The larger the portrait the more expression I can get into both horse and rider’s faces!
I can supply your portrait with quality custom framing ready to hang or unframed.
Gitte from Denmark with her Oil portrait of her horse Piquette
Louise with her portrait of Jazzabout
“Oh wow Sue! Gorgeous!!!..”
A huge success as a gift , just not sure how to top it next year.”
Toni
We took down the painting by Pro Hart and put up Medallion in it’s place!”
Louise
” You’ve really caught the action!!…everyone who sees it loves it..”