Good Horse Drawing 2 Painting Tips

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One of  the  big problems in drawing or painting horses is their surface anatomy.  As a link between the simple facts on the opposite page and subsequent discussions on inner structure, 

the following aids are itemized with illustrations :

1- Light-colored horses exposed to overhead

lighting may have a very subtle tint to shade graduation. 

Watch for light at arrows.

2 - In this drawing are 10 key places where a change in tone may occur. This does not mean there are no other places,  but to know these helps.

3 to 5 are suggested gradations for: light (3), middle-toned (4) and dark-colored (5) horses.  To be sure,  the source of light, muscle-trim, reflective quality of the hair, etc.  have much to do with the appearance.  

Notice the shoulders: in 3, light;in 4. a double - 

streaktreatment;  in 5. heavy shadow. 

Observe the 'lowlights' in 3 and the ' highlights' in 5. Watch for "islands" of shade in front of the hip points (see arrows 3a, 4a, 5a as well as on the big stallion. fig. 6).

Where the 'croup' or 'rump' rounds down on the upper thigh (arrows Sb, 4b& 5b) there may be a value change.

At arrows 3c, 4c & 5c there is a slight but evident change of plane which often means a little difference in shading.

Take a look ,  there are three relatively smooth,  plain areas numbered 1, 2 & 3;

then there are three areas where muscle or hair track streaks are to be found, 4,5 & 6.