Two years ago on 16 February 2006 I lost a friend of almost 17 years: my Icelandic horse "Kolbakur" (aka "Kolli"). I can't believe it's been two years; I still miss my 4-legged friend very much and think of him every day. You can read his story
here. I have drawn several portraits of him but thought I'd like to do something special in his memory. When browsing other pet portrait artists' websites for ideas and inspiration I came across a type of portrait called 'character study' or 'montage', and it's basically a bigger portrait in the centre and several smaller studies around it, thus giving an insight into the pet's character and personality.
So this is what I am currently working on - a character study of my horse. Some artists use different media - say pastels for the centre portrait and graphite for the smaller ones - but I decided to draw all of the sketches in coloured pencils. Kolli's colours were spectacular and changed with the seasons and I'd like to capture this. So yesterday I went through the photos I've got of him - not that many unfortunately (no digital cameras back then...) but I've chosen 9 - more than planned but I just coulnd't make up my mind. ;o) He was such a beautiful horse! I have already drawn one of the small heads (maybe 2 inches long) and it is 'him'! :o) Watch this space..
Labels: character study, coloured pencils, Icelandic horse, montage, pet portrait artists
It's 20 years today that I first met my Icelandic horse 'Kolbakur'. On May 1st 1989 my parents very kindly took me to an Icelandic horse stud and generously bought 'Kolli' for me, a 9-year-old black Icelandic gelding. I must have been the world's happiest girl! Kolli was part of my life for the following 17 years. I lost him in February 2006.
