New WIP: Horse underpainting

I was invited to be a part of an exhibition this spring in Monkton, MD (more details to follow). Monkton and the surrounding area is known for it's beautiful countryside, horse farms, and the My Lady's Manor steeplechase race. Since there's many in the area into horses, I figured I'd paint at least one horse for the show. I completed an underpainting yesterday of a horse I photographed competing in the cross-country phase of a 3-day event. Eventing is the ultimate test of a horse and rider. Through tests in dressage, endurance, and stadium jumping the horse and rider teams work together to show that they can compete in the most demanding and highest levels of equestrian sports. This horse was pulled up during the cross-country phase because a horse and rider up ahead had taken a tumble on one of the obstacles. In this painting you can see he's anxious to keep going. I love the athleticism of this horse and the "fired up" look in his eye. This piece will measure 12x12. 
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Finished: Downy Woodpecker

The downy woodpecker piece is finished; I finished it earlier in the week. I'm calling this one "A Spot of Red". Hope you like it!

A Spot of Red, 6x8, oil on linen

Detail of A Spot of Red

WIP: Downy Woodpecker Update #2

After 10 wonderful and inspiring days spent in Yellowstone and Kalispell, MT I have returned to the easel. I got back to work on the little downy yesterday; I added more texture to the background, roughed in the hemlock bark, and refined some small details on the bird. Will work on it some more today.

New WIP: Downy Woodpecker

With news of a new show in the spring and another one pending, I decided I should try and crank out some smaller, affordable pieces. So, I started this 6x8 oil of a male downy woodpecker yesterday. I shot the reference outside my dining room window of this male downy feeding at one of the suet cages I have setup. He would grab some and quickly look around to make sure no predators were about. Wise, as there's several sharpshinned hawks that frequent the neighborhood. In my reference, he had suet all caked on his bill, but I used artistic license and cleaned his bill up!
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Terns Finished?

I hope everyone had a nice holiday! Mine was nice...I spent it with loved ones, ate lots of yummy food, had some good belly laughs, and I had time to paint. I think that the terns are finished. I'm going to let it sit on my easel for a few days and decide if it needs any further tweaking. What does everyone think about the underpainting peeking through? I personally like it...but do you think too much is showing? Please tell me your thoughts. By the way, I'm calling this piece "Backoff!"

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"Backoff!", 18x24, oil on Gessobord panel

WIP: Terns nearing completion

Figured I'd post an image of where I left off on the terns before I get started on it this morning. The flying tern is well underway and if all goes well, I should be able to finish this painting over the Christmas holiday. Speaking of which, I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

Click image to enlarge.

WIP: Another Update on the Terns

While nursing a sore jaw over the last few days (I had a tooth extracted Friday), I holed up in the studio and made some more progress on the terns. As you can see now, the second tern has been started. Just roughing it in at this point. The other tern is probably finished, but I may finesse it a little later. This is only a portion of the 18x24 panel.

Click to enlarge.