"Star Studded"

Just finished up "Star Studded" - another working western horse.  I loved all the textures and studs on his bridle and breast collar, and he had a handsome face and expression too.  I made a lot of changes from my reference as he had overly bright rope reins with ugly snaps, some extra straps and buckles sticking out that simply distracted the eye and were not important to the work, and an unattractive saddle blanket sneaking in to the edge of the photo. 

I tell artists over and over again - get to know your subject matter and never be a slave to your reference photos!  The word reference implies that you should refer to them, not copy them inch by inch!  If there is an aspect in the reference image(s) that detracts from the finished product as a piece of artwork then leave it out or change it up to make your art BETTER than the photo(s)!  Get to know your subject matter because if the piece you choose to omit is very important (such as a piece of the bridle that keeps it all together) then anyone knowledgeable about the subject matter will know you didn't know the subject and your work will loose a potential purchaser.

"Star Studded" - 14"x11" - Scratchboard