Amber, was drawn as a tribute for Janina, a photographer and artist who past away in December. Janina was a member of pmp (Paint-My-Photograph) who shared her photographs of a number of subjects, the one she was known for was horses – I’ve yet to see another collection as amazing as hers. Whether the horses were in motion or standing still, on their own or in a pack, the energy and grace of these animals through her lens was second-to-none, each carried the “wow” factor. In January pmp asked artists and photographers to do tributes in honor of our good friend.
Amber, a graphite drawing (9×12) was produced on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper. Animals is not a subject that I’m used to drawing, but Amber seemed to speak to me – loved working out the range of values that brought out her muscle structure and veins. My goal was for her to be front and center, so I left the background a bit muted with little detailing. A combination of graphite pencil and loose powder was used with this scene, instead of charcoal, because of its reflective and smooth qualities.
It’s daylight savings time, as we Spring ahead – have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by.
Please don’t take my images – my art is copyrighted.
Please don’t copy or use the image without receiving my permission first – see disclosure on the right panel.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
This is so beautiful, Mary!! So good to see what you have been up to 😉 Hope all is super in your world ❤
Thank you so much Lorrie for your nice comment, it’s always appreciated. I’ve been drawing for a couple of months now, will switch back to painting in a bit – color has been calling me. Hope you are well and thanks again, I enjoyed hearing from you.
I will be back to explore more 😁 Horses were my best friends when I was a child!! Blessings 💗
I can understand why – they are strong, having a strength of family and awesome personality!
Mary, I am catching up on your posts and I absolutely love this one. Horses have a special place in my heart and your drawing is just stunning. And what a beautiful tribute to Janina. Just lovely.
Thank you so much Janell for your beautiful message. I’ve not much experience with drawing horses, but Amber caught my eye and I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed working out the horse structural details – a nice technical challenge. Thank you again!!
This is so beautiful I love it ! 🙂
Nice to meet you Cristina – thank you for your kind comment!
A lovely picture, Mary. Powerful.
Thank you so much Cynthia for your read on the drawing – great to see you.
nice and alive
robert
Just as I hoped Amber would be – thank you so much Robert!
Just beautiful, Mary and such a lovely tribute to your talented friend.
Thank you Bette for your nice comment. Great to see you again – hope the snow didn’t overwhelm you guys too much!
We were pleasantly surprised when this week’s blizzard only left us with 12″ of that white magic. The landscape looks lovely again, but we’re ready for SPRING. Have a wonderful week, my friend! xo
Oh it’s lovely, Mary! And such a touching tribute to your friend ❤
Hi Christy, thank you – much appreciate your lovely comment! Have a wonderful weekend!
Incredibly beautiful and intricate! well done Mary!!
Thank you Holly, so glad you enjoyed Amber – she was a joy to draw!
I am totally blown away by the beauty of this art Mary, so beautiful.
Means a lot – thank you!
Beautiful and powerful tribute! You did a great job, especially if horses/animals are not your favorite subject… Perhaps this one might nudge you into another?!
How did you know – I may (still undecided) try my hand with a black Friesian! We’ll see. But thank you so much it was a wonderful subject to take on.
This, my dear Mary is an exceptional drawing… EXCEPTIONAL!!!!!! I remember at college tutors saying that the hand and the horse are usually a painter’s ‘Waterloo’!!!! It takes a very talented painter to accomplish this! Bravo!! 🙂
Wow Marina, thank you for your generous thoughts on this piece. I could feel the horse developing under the pencil (that “ah-ha” feeling) and really let it guide me. So thank you, for the encouragement Marina ~ means so much.
A lovely tribute to Janina. I wonder if you will try more animals after this successful piece.
Thanks Gallivanta, I haven’t drawn too many animals and was just happy that I was able to capture one of Janina’s Amber.
This horse is alive! 🙂 We watch an art challenge programme on TV and this last week focused on movement and twirling ballerinas. Fascinating to watch. Impossible to do! 🙂
Thanks Jo – enjoyed your response to the drawing! I would have loved to see the show, bet it was great to watch. Would have loved to see the work.
Beautiful and elegant!
Thank you Catherine, really appreciated. Have a wonderful week ahead.
Definitely OMG detail. Well done, Mary!!!
Thank you Frank, means a lot and is appreciated! Happy Winter days are here again ~
No kidding about winter … burrrrrrr. But March Madness will help warm us up.
Looking forward to it. TCU got in at NIT this year, better than what they’ve been last couple of years, but would have been nice to see them as a Cinderella team. UConn gals at 107 straight wins is looking to capture their 12 National title – love watching them play. We are ramping up to watch the games ~ hope one of the OH teams move on to the final four, wouldn’t that be great!
Cheers to those Horned Frogs improving their program. The local teams here have a tough road ahead. Getting to the Sweet 16 would be quite the accomplishment.
Wow – what a fabulous drawing! So gorgeous. And how lovely to see you here again.
Thank you so much Fiona for your kind and generous thoughts. Wonderful to see you as well.
Wonderful drawing, Mary. That horse looks alive. 😃
Thank you Sylvia – glad you saw the energy in the horse, a real compliment.
Good morning Mary. Such a lovely tribute to your friend and your drawings are exquisite. As I said in my last comment – very sensitive. Wishing for you a lovely day and week ahead. Janet. 🙂
Good Morning Janet, thank you so much for you generous thoughts and comment. The horse is so strong, but yet has these delicate features that are awesome to work out in a drawing. Hope you have a great week too!
You are most welcome…I will look forward to seeing more of your beautiful drawings….enjoy the week ahead. Janet 🙂
Lovely delicate textures in the face and neck of the horse, well done.
Nice to see you Graham – thank you for your read. I really enjoyed drawing the horse – lots of nuances.
Lovely textures, Mary
Thank you so much Derrick!
Excellent work, Miss Mary
Big hugs
uncle john
Thank you for your generous words Uncle John!
I love this ❤
Thank you Leyla!
Exquisite! 🙂 ❤
Very kind Natalie and most appreciated, thank you ~
My pleasure Mary😊❤️
It is absolutely gorgeous!!! 😍😍😍
Hi Trini, thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the drawing.
This is so beautiful, Mary! Janina would be very proud.
Thanks Jill, it was so relaxing getting into this drawing – loved watching the horse come alive.
Must all great painters be good at drawing? If so, you certainly qualify in both regards drawing and painting.
You are so generous Hien, thank you for your kind comment and compliment.
Gorgeous picture and beautiful tribute.
Great to see you Jackie, thanks so much!
😀
Such a gift to be able to draw like this!! 👏
Thank you Karen for your generous feedback – you’ve made my day. Much appreciated!
Breath taking! Great job 🙂
Hi Isabel, so nice to see you again. Thank you for your lovely response – much appreciated!
It is always our pleasure to see such beautiful drawings. Handsome horse. 🙂
Thank you so much Judy, I am very happy to see you. I really appreciate your kind words ~
Glorious!
You do know how to make me smile Sarah – Happy Sunday to you! Thank you and a big hug from Texas!
Le Gasp! It’s incredible the way art, like this piece can make me shiver! What a beauty and a beautiful tribute!
Thank you Resa. There are so many great forms of art – that speak to their audiences. For you to have such a positive reaction to one of my pieces, for me that is the highest form of compliment.
That is a beauty! A very nice tribute to Janina.
Thanks so much Amy – it was a wonderful project to work out in graphite.
Mary, this is a lovely tribute.
Thank you so much – my drawing doesn’t do justice to the gorgeous horse shots that Janina captured. It was their power, energy and in some cases movement that was amazing to see through her lens.
Wonderful picture and tribute.
Hi Brenda, thank you for your kind thoughts – happy to see you again.
Happy to see you, too. I hadn’t seen you in my reader in a long time. I hope you’re well. Your recent art is beautiful. I am still thinking about that horse’s swirling mane.