The painting has rested for a few days to let the oil pastel firm up a bit to be easier to work with. A little extra announcement: I've been named Dean of Education for the American Academy of Equine Art, based in Lexington, KY. My duties will include creating and managing national and international workshops with top equine painters and sculptors. Hope you're having fun watching this painting come along, and keep watching.

Frolicking Four

Since this is a mini-donkey, I've made his legs shorter and given him a bit more attitude. The layers of background are slowly building, and they even have to "dry" a bit before I can work in the same place. Oil pastels never completely dry, and they will remain sticky for years in thick layers, so frequently I have to wait a day or more for the layers to set before adding more. I can't wait to see how this finishes out!

Frolicking Four

Here's the next layer of oil pastel and the playmates are starting to come to life. Much tweaking to do on anatomy and edges, but it's coming along.

Frolicking Four

Here's the progress on this painting of four friends having fun. The oil pastels are a mix of Holbein and Sennelier brands, with the Holbeins being harder in consistency and the Senneliers quite buttery. Both have hard and soft sticks in their line, so sometimes it's a challenge to choose a certain color that I really want to use, but it's too hard and will just scratch through. Lots of problem solving and trade-offs as I go along.

Frolicking Four

Welcome back and here is the next step in this painting. Many layers yet to come!

The Frolicking Four portrait commission

This is a really fun piece to paint! Wonderful animals with so much personality...a real joy to be a part of. More layers have been added with many more to go.

The Frolicking Four portrait commission

Here is the beginning of a family portrait...follow along to see how this 18"x24", oil pastel on gesso board comes to life!