Brazos

Brazos is one of the cowboys I photographed back in May in Fort Worth.  I have done a painting previously and posted it as a WIP on June 25.  I really like this picture of him and decided to take another stab at it yesterday.  I'm pleased with it so far.  I can really see the improvement I have made when I compare the two.  I used a bit of masking on the wisps of hair against his hat.  Hopefully that will work out OK.  Didn't think I could successfully paint around those little grey hairs.  I also made an attempt to depict the rough texture of his skin. I also want to get some of the detail in his scarf and that will take some time and detailed drawing.  As usual I couldn't wait to get started on his face and hat so this is where I am at this point.  This is on 140# Arches stretched cold press.  Not my favorite weight paper but it is fine if I take the time to stretch it.  I have a bit of it in my stash and need to use it.  Good paper is by no means inexpensive but well worth it in terms of results. 

Thanks for reading! 

Boots



I took a picture of a cowboy with these interesting boots and spurs on his feet back in May when I attended an event in the Fort Worth stockyard area.  Lots of folks in costume as well as the cowboys who drive the Fort Worth herd.  The Fort Worth herd is a herd of longhorn cattle and they are driven down the main thoroughfare of the area daily.  It is a very popular tourist attraction and basically I really love the stockyard area overall. 

While snapping pictures of interesting cowboys in their very authentic dress, one pointed out his friend's boots and spurs.  I agreed that they were unusual and snapped a few pictures of them from different angles.  I chose this one to start and drew it onto 300# Arches cold pressed paper a couple months ago.  Then I couldn't decide how to start or what I wanted to end up with so it just sat on a shelf until yesterday.  I liberally used masking on the metal parts of the spurs in order to save the highlights.  I know I don't want just a pair of brown boots, so I have added some washes that include plum and blue shades along with the brown.  I have also started adding a few details, working slowly so that I don't mess it up.  I often get in too much of a hurry and add other layers or details too soon.  We all know how that turns out!

A couple of cowboy WIP's

Back in May I had the opportunity to visit the Fort Worth Stockyard area and snap some photos of some folks in character at an old fort exhibit.  There were some great subjects and they were all so willing to pose for me.  The first is "Maverick".  The second is "Brazos".  As I say, neither of these are finished.  They are posted on the bulletin board in my studio for further evaluation.  Takes me a while sometimes to see what else needs to be done.