Horse Painting video demonstration part 3 - bringing backgrounds to the fore

Here's part 3 of the acrylic painting of a wild Dartmoor horse. This one
is pretty simple as I'm just applying some background colour but here
are a few tips that you may wish to consider when doing your own
paintings:





 



1) Keeping your paint thin and runny
and applying it with brushstrokes in a range of directions will add
interesting texture to an area that could otherwise be just a block of
colour.

2) Repeating the above with a different colour can provide nice layered colour effects.

3)
With the example in the video, I enhance the contrast of the image by
making the background darker in places next those parts of the horse
that are bathed in light. Similarly, I place light background areas next
to regions of the horse that's in shadow.

4)
Working fast and applying the paint without too much thought can
sometimes prove advantageous and create effects you wouldn't otherwise
come across.

5) Conversely, it's also worth
thinking about the direction of background brushstrokes and how they can
complement your subject e.g. generally, one thing to avoid is having
your background brushstroke follow the entire outline of your subject.
6)
If using thin paint, don't be too afraid of going over the edge of your
subject in places as this will often produce a nice soft edge.


Hope this was helpful, if you'd like to see the finished painting 'Roaming Free' it can be found here. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
Art by Mike Jory: website facebook twitter