| Medium: Oil | Year: 2026 | Size: 24x24in | Surface: Stretched Canvas |
This painting began with inspiration from a photograph of my sister riding a horse. As an initial exploration, I created a drawing study to observe and analyze the values within the reference image. This process allowed me to develop a stronger understanding of the relationships between light and shadow, contrast, and depth. The study served as a foundation for the painting, helping me establish the visual direction and tonal structure I wanted to carry into the finished work.
As part of my exploration, I also created a collage using paper painted with acrylic in varying shades of white, grey, and black. Working with these limited tones allowed me to further investigate value, contrast, and the relationship between light and shadow. By layering and arranging the painted paper, I experimented with different tonal compositions and shapes, developing a better understanding of how values interact to create depth, movement, and visual balance. This exercise helped strengthen my approach to translating the original reference into a painting.
For my next study, I explored the use of crayons as another way to investigate value and composition. I found this process particularly enjoyable, as it allowed me to approach the subject in a more playful and experimental way. Working with crayons gave me the freedom to explore different textures, layering techniques, and tonal relationships while stepping outside my usual approach. I became excited by the possibilities of experimenting with a wider range of values and discovering how different materials could influence the way I interpret the original image.
For the next study, I moved on to experimenting with gouache, exploring how this medium could help me further develop my understanding of value, contrast, and color relationships. Unlike the previous studies, working with gouache allowed me to build up more solid areas of tone while experimenting with the opacity and layering of the paint. I enjoyed the opportunity to work with a new material and explore how its qualities could influence my interpretation of the reference image. This study encouraged me to continue experimenting with different approaches and become more intentional about the values I want to emphasize in the final painting.
This image shows one of the many layers developed throughout the process of creating the final painting. As the work evolved, I found myself navigating an ongoing internal dialogue about how much detail to include and when to step back. Learning to embrace what is left unfinished or suggested became an important part of the process. I began to appreciate how the balance between detail and simplicity can create a sense of movement, atmosphere, and visual freedom, inviting the observer to discover something beyond what is explicitly represented.
