Buckles & Belts: Dead Layer Finished
Posted By Carrie L. Lewis on September 24, 2009
Buckles & Belts (6×8 oil on panel) sat idle for quite some time between the completion of the umber layer and commencement of the dead layer.
Too many paintings coming due at the same time, too many things going on in other areas of life and two weeks of a cold that prevented all studio work combined. All of my paintings suffered from neglect, but this one most of all.
When I finally began the dead layer, my intention was to do just enough to get started, but I ended up painting all of the parts of the horse’s head, jowl and neck that show through the various straps and buckles.
I was quite surprised to get so much done, especially since the complexity of this painting has been somewhat intimidating. Surprise, surprise! It was a great way to end the studio day.
In the next session, I focused on the halter and bridle and the rest of the horse. I began with the eye, then worked my way out into the rest of the face, finishing for the day with the buckles and belts. I used a third session to tidy up whatever remained and when I finished that day, I was thinking the dead layer looked complete.
On September 21, I took a few minutes to add details like highlights on buckles and straps and punched holes.
The painting was then put into the drying area and will dry until October 12.
I am a self-taught artist for the most part. Lots of trial and error in the past forty years! Formal art training consists of a couple of years of high school art, a painting class at a community college, one semester in the Fine Arts program at Abilene Christian University and a couple of local workshops.
I am always looking for ways to better my artistic skills, so I am a permanent student in the School of Trial and Error. I love reading and have been known to spend hours online researching materials and techniques. As a result, I've painted in several different styles, including the direct method (which goes straight for the color) and Classical methods (which involves underpaintings, layering and glazing).
I have exhibited paintings in locations such as Lone Star Park Race Track, Grand Prairie, Texas and Remington Park Race Track, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since the early 90s, I've worked with the Michigan Harness Horseman's Association, donating custom portraits to their annual benefit auction.
In the course of maintaining a growing art business, I have taught myself web design (a skill that will no doubt prove to be a continual learning experience).
I also enjoy puttering around the yard, chasing trains with my husband, Neal, travel and, of course, looking at horses whenever they appear on my horizon.
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