Day 7 "30 in 30 Art Challenge"

Friesian Horse Study

charcoal

13" x 11"

The Friesian Horse is such a magnificent breed!  I had the opportunity to see a Friesian Horse Show a few years back and was blown away. They are just amazing to watch in person!

Do you remember the movie 'The Mask of Zorro'?....starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones?  Zorro's horse was a beautiful Friesian.  For the filming, six different Friesian horses were used...

just a little movie trivia for you.

Well it's been a full week into the challenge. Yay!  I've got a week under my belt!

Day 6 of " 30 in 30"

Shells

10" x 12"

graphite, charcoal, pastel

The Nautilus Shell has got to be the coolest shell!  I guess its because of it's strong spiral design.

It's my favorite of all,

but it's buddy the Marble Cone Seashell is beautiful too.

So there they are together!

I've always admired there beauty but, I've never drawn them before.

 This was fun!

Day 5 Art Challenge

'Protector' Study

graphite/charcoal

8" x 10"

Day 5

Since it was late in the day when I started working I chose a familiar reference photo. It is an image from a series of photographs that I photographed for my watercolor painting 'Protector'.

So yes...I'm thinking, it's late in the day so why not choose something I know
to help speed things along?

Well... many interruptions later..dinner, taking dog out, cat laying on artwork, and sleep,

here it is.

I had to keep listening to my teacher voice

"You can do it just remember the shapes...abstract shapes."

They are the main fundamental that I teach in my art classes.

If you see the shapes and their relationship to each other you've got the foundation 

for your drawing or painting.  

Now that's enough art instructor ramblings...

I photographed the drawing as I worked so

I can share the step-by-step photos with you later.

Horse Drawing, Day 4, 30 Paintings in 30 Days Art Challenge

Horse Study
9" x 12"
graphite/charcoal

Day 4 of the challenge

 I was determined to finish earlier than last night! So here is today's work and yay it's not even dark out yet.

As you might have noticed I love to draw and paint horses.--That's true.  Trying to capture their strength and beauty is always a stimulating challenge.

To see more equestrian art check out my website 
http://mariedonato.com/equestrian/ 

Horse Drawing, Day 3, Art Challenge

charcoal/graphite study
9" x 12"

                                                                            Day 3

Well, the art challenge this month has been giving me the deadline I need to produce a daily work, then photograph and size the work and then finally write and post to my blog.---Which probably wouldn't have happened without it....at least not all three steps at once! Kind of like blogging boot camp. ha-ha!

Conquering the digital world is one of my main short-term goals. It's my mountain. And I won't improve without doing..right? So this is huge for me. Bought a new digital camera and discovering new things about it every time I photograph my work.-- Well, that's enough about all that.

Hope you enjoy the work and have a great day!

To view more Equestrian Art
http://mariedonato.com/equestrian/

Day Two of the "30 in 30" Art Challenge!

                                           
                                                                   Ballerina Study
                                                                       12" x 15"

Drawing and painting the figure is an absolute love for me. ...And especially dance figures!

30 Day Art Challenge!

                                                

                                                 Horse Study  12" x 17"  charcoal/graphite

I'm joining Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Art Challenge for September!  

In this 30 day challenge my goal is to produce a drawing or painting every day this month. My hope is that I will not only produce more art but will also improve my blogging skills. We all need deadlines and challenges and that definitely includes me!  So every day I will be posting a new art image or as closed to every day as I can.  It will be an assortment of graphite/charcoal study drawings, and some pastel works thrown in as well.  Wish me luck!