Description

9″x12″ oil on canvas, framed

Have you ever bridled or put a halter on a horse? I am partial to the lines of the lower jaw through to the chin. I love painting this area. This is probably because as I paint it, I can envision exactly how this area feels. My memories of handling horses heads for so many years brings me closer to my subject in the painting.

I will try and describe this area for you. On the underside, two long bones of the lower mandible connect, and at that point, it is a soft, round mound, with coarse whiskers, the chin. At this connection, there is a change of plane, straight to an angle. I tend to think of the chin area as an inverted pyramid when I’m shaping it. If I overthink painting this section, I often have to wipe it off and start again. It is unique to horse conformation, and if it’s not correct, it just looks off. This attempt went smoothly and I hope you are able to get a sense of how it feels, just on the visual and description. 🙂

This painting at Equis Art Gallery, Red Hook, New York.