Sunday, 12 June 2011

Giddy UP


In haste before pushing off for a week's holiday. It's that horsey thing again.  Fascinated by them but still pretty scared of them.  I did the first four sketches at one of London's greatest inner city patches of countryside, Mudchute Farm on the Isle of Dogs.  It's attractive, clean and lacks officiousness - great atmosphere.

Marvellous stableyard with over a dozen horses sticking their heads out to be drawn, nicely framed by the darkness of their boxes.  


And some were  patiently being groomed






Others a little impatient to be out




There were young women and little girls were busying themselves in the way that always fascinates me: that slightly self-important way of pushing wheelbarrows, bossing noble creatures around as if they were toddlers and negotiating the hierarchy between themselves.



Finally, my tribute to Stubbs and Ucello from drawing at the National Gallery the other day. It's free!  I recommend it.






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17 comments:

  1. Karena12 June 2011 at 10:22

    Really wonderful I love drawings and painting of these majestic creatures. Your last is excellent!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    I have an amazing Giveaway from the Artisans at Novica. You will love it!

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  2. pve design13 June 2011 at 05:23

    I think I just heard a neigh, those are gorgeous!
    Love all animals, but a horse is so majestic and regal.
    pve

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  3. elegancemaison13 June 2011 at 18:34

    What lovely sketches - thanks for sharing them. You are very talented. Do you exhibit/sell your work?

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  4. Anonymous14 June 2011 at 23:07

    Good work Rose. You got the hocks just right. Your studies of Ucello paid off handsomely. They're clearly defining that vanishing point.
    I've been thinking of making a large copy of one of Ucello's hunting paintings as a fake tapestry.
    I always think of his equestrian paintings as sightly Arabesque.

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  5. Rose C'est La Vie15 June 2011 at 15:17

    Everyone - thank you for your encouragement which is always appreciated.
    I haven't shown or sold any of these horse drawings as I feel I am only just beginning to understand the form. I must, I will I guess!

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  6. Jane and Lance Hattatt21 June 2011 at 03:23

    Hello:
    These drawings are absolutely engaging. We love the vitality, expression and movement to be found in them all. Especially appealing, to us, is your delightful little watercolour of a prancing horse.

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  7. Rose C'est La Vie21 June 2011 at 03:36

    Jane and Lance H - thank you for that kind compliment. The prancing horse is a pale imitation of Stubbs' famous lifesize 'Whistlejacket' in the National Gallery.

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  8. Anonymous24 June 2011 at 14:37

    Hello lovely Ros(i)e, I gaze at another of your fine drawings when brushing my teeth, lucky me. Really just checking in as have failed to be in touch, hope the holiday is/was jolly and provided further creative stimulus, am as always so impressed by your endeavours.

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  9. Rose C'est La Vie24 June 2011 at 15:05

    Hello lovely Anonynonnyno! How can you send me such a lovely message and not reveal which of my million toothbrushing fans you are?? Oh please do. or email.

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  10. Virginia Country House24 June 2011 at 16:37

    We're quite partial to the giant, eating and manure producing behemoths. Nothing to be afraid of, just good to remember it's sort of like spending time around a 1200 pound poodle. Your drawings are fantastic. Even in the quickie gestural sketch (#3) you have a real eye for what a horse actually looks like and how they move. Thank you!

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  11. Ann in SF24 June 2011 at 22:30

    Hello - I have just fallen in love with your blog, reading back to front so-to-speak. Love your horses, your everything. Feeling a kindred sensibility I can only say thank you and please press on with your blog, it's just wonderful.

    Ann

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  12. Rose C'est La Vie25 June 2011 at 06:45

    J & G - I will remember your advice but thank you for a kind compliment.
    Just had a quick shufti of your blog which is lush and I will return when I get back from the market.

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  13. Rose C'est La Vie25 June 2011 at 18:17

    Ann in SF - what an absolutely lovely comment, thank you! I do need encouragement to press on sometimes and much appreciate it. x

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  14. Christina @ Fashion's Most Wanted27 June 2011 at 14:44

    Wonderful sketches as always Rosie.

    I've always meant to visit Mudchute Farm, do you know if you can go riding? I miss it so much xx

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  15. Rose C'est La Vie27 June 2011 at 18:57

    Christina, oh yes they certainly do riding lessons there. I don't know about the rest but there are a lot of horses in very good condition it seems to me.

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  16. Casa Très Chic22 July 2011 at 21:58

    Beautiful drawings, Rita, my associate, is crazy about horses, I'm saving these images for her.
    Great blog, fantastic post.
    Hugs
    Tereza

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  17. Rose C'est La Vie23 July 2011 at 18:21

    Casa Tres Chic - thank you !

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