This is probably the most difficult portrait I've done. My accountant gave me a tiny photo of her daughter last year and asked me to draw it for her. Never tell me, "I'm in no hurry for it at all." because I won't be either! haha.

Well, I had such a busy year especially with my new camera that this sat on my to do shelf until my husband mentioned that we need to take our taxes in! Suddenly I remembered!

This ended up being such a great image to draw. The time of day the reference photo was taken bathed the horse and rider with so many interesting shadows. I had to learn to trust them. Filling in the lower half of the horse's face almost completely black made me very nervous! No detail? OK... but as I worked leaving the black shadows in place the portrait really popped to life.

So much detail in all the equipment and shadows this was SO HARD! But in the end I think it turned out to be one of my best. AND... I got it done by April 15th!! My accountant was thrilled with it and hopefully I'll get a nice refund! In a way I already have being able to add this portrait to my portfolio! =}


11" x 9" graphite on Bristol Smooth. Clutch pencils, 2H, HB, 2B & 4B.