- Laura Smith
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- Added 16 Apr 2007
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I should call this one, "A Jealous Rage" because my motivation to do this portrait was out of envy from a pencil drawing another artist had posted on another website. It was a head shot and the detail and texture the artist accomplished just made me completely question my own abilities. I knew then I needed to bring my work to that level.
It is for that reason I embarked on this particular portrait. The goal? Texture. A shiny eye, the long hair of the forelock and short hair of the face reflecting the sun. A stitched leather halter. A soft mushy horse muzzle... I wanted it all!
Let me tell you this was very very hard to do! Yesterday when I finished it I scanned the portrait into my computer and there he was. Barbaro. He looked so alive that I just began to sob. It was unfair that he looked more alive on my paper then in real life. =(
Though my motivation was purely educational I learned that my heart doesn't seem to care about what my head wants! I've grown accustomed to his face.. I now know every hair, every wrinkle and marking. I'm happy.
I've always wanted to share this song because it is exactly how I feel about him and the whole experience. It was Beautiful!
NEW! Order prints & greeting cards authorized by the Jacksons here: Barbaro Prints
UPDATE: 10/30/07: Press release from TheHorse.com: Proceeds from Barbaro Ornament to Benefit Laminitis Research
Update: 1/28/08: View my blog of a check presentation I made to Dr Dean Richardson at New Bolton Center.
1/28/08:Press release from UPENN Website
8"x10" Graphite on Bristol Smooth. Clutch pencils almost entirely 2B.
62 Comments
jeremy Lassila 05 Apr 2010
you definatly accomplished what you set out to do excellent textureAnonymous Guest 20 Nov 2009
in chinese horoscope I am horse even when I do not know to much about horses but that is my personalityJenna Frazier 01 Dec 2008
Love your work and each story along with them thanks for the comments :)Thomas Nigel 05 Feb 2008
I love that! Do you sell prints? I'm new here and not sure how this works.walt larsen 19 Jan 2008
wow, what a beauty and such detailJohn Fish 15 Jan 2008
Beautifully drawn. A classic. The horse and the wonderful portrait. Thanks for this tributeGeorge Wallis 09 Jan 2008
incredible details, wowKen Sherman 29 Nov 2007
Very, very nice work...wonderful control of the pencilannette steens 28 Nov 2007
wonderful drawing!Paul Traudt 17 Oct 2007
very detailed excellentMark Peterson 29 Sep 2007
Fine detailed work of this beautiful animal. You have a wonderful talent Laura!Charles Jones 20 Aug 2007
Without a doubt, the hard work and effort paid off here, Laura. You almost expect him to blink. ;)Noelle Samples 20 Aug 2007
This is amazing. I'm sure you're inspiring many other artists to up their game as well in an effort to match the quality and life-likeness you've achieved. Keep up the great work!Sandy Jensen 19 Aug 2007
WoW!your discipline paid off. He is gorgeous!Katerina Koukiotis 23 Jul 2007
beautiful pencilwork laura!! you definitely achieved yor goals! i love all the realistic textures !Anonymous Guest 05 Jul 2007
great picture, looks like he is staring at the the rest of the world with out a care on his mind.great textures.very real looking.A+++++rb chakravartty 02 Jul 2007
g 8Adam Reed 23 Jun 2007
WOW! AWESOME! Great artwork Laura! Adam & SheenaTerri Hindmarsh 15 Jun 2007
Wonderfuly Awesome!! Beautiful pencil work!!Michael Easter 15 Jun 2007
You did a super job, very detailed, so many textures. It really does look alive enuogh to lick your nose as you look at it. Very fine artwork!!!!!!!!!!!!Trish Ellis 13 Jun 2007
well whatever your motivation, this piece is wonderfully done!! Most excellent!Angela Tossell 12 Jun 2007
Very beautiful gallery you have.David Orsinger 11 Jun 2007
great job on the horse...the video slide shows are great as wellElf Evans 26 May 2007
MAY MAKE ME WANT TO OWN A HORSE...NEET WORKDaniel Venter 24 May 2007
Thats very very well done Laura . Keep up your excellent workJean M. Laffitau 17 May 2007
Excellent drawing Laura!! The details are amazing!sheila stanley-powell 08 May 2007
you've got a real talent there laura.keep pushing yourself.Linn Österberg Larsson 07 May 2007
oh my god this is so good ;DNatalie Mason 25 Apr 2007
Outstanding Art Laura, I am simply stuck for words....apart from PERFECT!!Christine brand 21 Apr 2007
fabulous detailjoel zelikovitz 20 Apr 2007
beyond superbPatricia Cappiello 20 Apr 2007
Totally Awesome!Randy Nore 18 Apr 2007
Great horse portrait Laura!!!I love the videos you put along with them also.Joke Schotting 18 Apr 2007
Awesome work Laura!!!Renata Cavanaugh 17 Apr 2007
Fantatic pencil work LauraClay McClung 17 Apr 2007
Awesome!! Fantastic work!! Your music choice is excellent!!Chris Hoffman 17 Apr 2007
Beautiful job, I have been asked to do some horse drawings, it's not easy for me. Your drawing gives me inspiration to try again...good stuff.Cynthia DeMaio 17 Apr 2007
Outstand work Laura!Leah Jaarveth 17 Apr 2007
Amazing Laura!!! this is so beautiful!!! wonderful, fantastic job....you have a beautiful soul my friend....Anonymous Guest 17 Apr 2007
your abilities Laura always astound me, your creations of horse cannot be matched! hugs-KLv blair 17 Apr 2007
Fantastic textures and the eye,brilliantly lit with life..beautiful,beautiful work!linda duffy 17 Apr 2007
uv done a super job on this portrait laura ...fab xxxxxxxxxxxxxRuth Kauffman 16 Apr 2007
What a wonderful story, Laura!! You certainly achieved your goal because this portrait is BRILLIANT!!! PERFECT!!!eileen martin 16 Apr 2007
Laura, the detail and realism you have achieved here are remarkable... most excellent work!!!:)Joanna Jungjohann 16 Apr 2007
awesome beauty!Penny Myers 16 Apr 2007
Your work is outstanding. I love everything you do.Louis Myers 16 Apr 2007
Fantastic work Laura!Patrick Boyle 16 Apr 2007
beautiful pencil work Laura.You got the textures and muscle tone down perfectly here.very beautiful!!!Tahnja Wolter 16 Apr 2007
OMGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH! Holy toledo, you are AWESOME!!!!! There's NO WAY I would have the patience to do that so I totally admire you for accomplishing this kind of work. Envious? You? No way! You are awesome Laura and I hope you really realise that. Big hugs!Jeanne Santiago 16 Apr 2007
Absolutely gorgeous! I hope you aren't doubting your abilities any longer :-) Excellent job!!!joan warburton 16 Apr 2007
Fantastic depth and contrasts!Anthony Smith 16 Apr 2007
Once again Laura, gorgeous work.jamie winter 16 Apr 2007
OHHHHHHHHH Laura how amazing you are. your work is so good. just great good. jamieAnonymous Guest 16 Apr 2007
this is quite beauriful Laura. deborah anne neroTina Nichols 16 Apr 2007
Wow Laura, you out did yourself on that one, what a stunning portrait, your video and music are awesome. I enjoyed it very much!Loredana 16 Apr 2007
LAURA LAURA WOW YOU DO THE MOST AMAZING WORK THIS IS AWESOMEAnneke Hut 16 Apr 2007
A great horse drawing! Your trademark, Laura, it's awesome! Thank you for the wonderful video and music. Mmmm I'm going to play it again. :)Pat Abbott 16 Apr 2007
Gorgeous pencil work, very fine details created.Karen Cash 16 Apr 2007
fantastic art!cathy sharpe 16 Apr 2007
Laura I'm lost for words to describe how beautifull this is, I really enjoyed the music and video, thank you! my pic o the day any day!!!!José Fortunato 16 Apr 2007
What a beauty ! Great pencil work !Jacqueline Bishop 16 Apr 2007
Outstanding work. A touching tribuite to Babaro ,His story will forever touch our hearts. He will be missed those that loved him on this earth, but there is comfort in knowing he is now running free as was ment to be at a place called... "Rainbow Bridge."