How to Commission a Horse Portrait From an Equine Artist

Commissioning a portrait of your favourite horse is a wonderful way of honouring your equine partner and of gaining a beautiful piece of original artwork at the same time. Equestrian art has been shown to hold its value, so if you choose your equine artist carefully your portrait will also be an investment, not that you'll ever want to part with it of course!

The first step is to choose your equine artist. There are a wide range of styles and media out there. Some artists favour a very natural almost photographic style, while others interpret moods and feelings with a freer style. Look at several portfolios before deciding, and go with your gut feel and what you like.

Commissioning a portrait of a specific horse is different from just buying an equestrian painting. First of all you want to know that the artist you're thinking of is experienced in portraiture. A good portrait will capture those little details that make your horse unique: the expression in the eye, the prick of the ears, the arch of the neck.

Ideally your artist should be able to meet your horse before starting the painting. While a good photograph can also be an effective starting point, there is nothing to beat spending some time with a horse, observing his or her individual characteristics and seeing him from all angles, perhaps taking a series of photographs to work with. So if at all possible choose an artist from your area, so that you don't have to add huge travel costs to the commission.

A portrait can be done without meeting the horse if circumstances dictate. Perhaps this portrait is to be a memorial of a dear friend that is no longer with you. In this case look out the best photos you have. Provide the artist with pictures taken from several different angles, in motion and still, close up and full length. The more detail you can provide, the better chance the artist has of creating a life-like portrait.

Discuss all aspects of the painting with the artist and get a price quoted on that. Prices will depend on the size of the canvas, the medium used (oil paint, acrylics, mixed media, watercolour and so on), the framing requirements and the complexity of the subject. Do you want a head and shoulders portrait or a full length portrait of your horse in motion? Do you want a realistic background of the stables or a familiar landscape, or a creative swirl of colour and mood? Some of these things will depend on the signature style of the equestrian artist that you've chosen.

Once all has been discussed and agreed, leave the rest up to your chosen equine artist and then enjoy the completed portrait on your walls ever after.

Kit Heathcock, freelance writer, is writing for Rachel Dubber, a well-known equine artist and photographer, with a lifelong passion for horses. She creates a wide range of stunning horse art, photography and sculpture. Currently based in Cape Town, South Africa she portrays the individuality of each equestrian subject, both for portrait commissions and for her own art.

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The Three Best Affordable Acrylic Paint Any Level Artist Can Use To Create Beautiful Paintings

As an artist I have used all sorts of acrylic paint ranging from the basic thin acrylic paint to the more expensive strong coat paint such as Golden. Most of the acrylic paint I use has been cheaper acrylic paint - it gets the job done just as well as the more costly professional acrylics.

There are some differences between the more affordable and expensive acrylic paints, like buoyancy, but overall some more affordable acrylic paints can still get the job done just as well as the more expensive professional acrylic paints. If you are a student or novice, buying affordable acrylics will be your best choice, especially when you are developing your painting skills.

Personally, most of the acrylics I use is very affordable. I paint with a palette knife and the main thing that I want any of my paints to have, whether cheap or expensive, is good pigment and to be thick enough to create some great textures. When I paint I like to layer my paint over my surface using the palette knife, sort of like layering icing on a cake, and most of the cheaper acrylics allow me to do that. I could buy acrylic paint that you see at places like Walmart - the ones that are in the small cylinder tubes. Those acrylics are just too thin to paint with - they are for crafts only.

For artists that want to paint on a canvas or hard surface I would suggest getting paint from your local art supply store or online like at Dick Blick or Mister Art; both of those retailers have all brands of paints at affordable prices. Before you start buying acrylics here are some brands of cheaper acrylic paint that are available.

Liquitex's Basic

One of my favorite acrylics is Liquitex Basic - it has been around for a long time. What I like about Liquitex Basic acrylic paint the most is that you get a lot of paint in their tubes and if you are close to running out in a particular color you can easily cut the bottom of the tube with scissors and get the remainder of the paint from the tube.

The paint is nice and thick and you can easily add different mediums to change the consistency of the paint. I use Liquitex Basic acrylic paint all the time and find it offers among one of the best for the values on the market. I would recommend Liquitex Basic acrylic paint to anyone using a fair amount of paint in whatever art they create.

A2 Chrome Acrylic Paint

A2 Art Students' Acrylics are another specially designed acrylics for the needs of students, beginners or hobby painters who wish to avoid the expense of buying artists colors, especially during the earlier stages when they are learning how to handle paint. A2 acrylic paint has not been around along as Liquitex's Basic yet still provides the same pigment and consistency as any other professional paint.

A2 derives from the popular brand Atelier, which I have used well. A2 is a little thinner than Liquitex's Basic but it's just as effective. A2 and Liquitex's Basic are similar in a lot of ways, but a little different in body and pigment.

Depending on where you purchase A2 Chrome, you may be able to get it for a lower price than Liquitex's Basic and you will not spend over six dollars for a four ounce tube. I encourage you to try both and see which one you like more.

Chromacyl's Acrylic Essentials

Chromacyl's Acrylic Essentials is the thinnest of the three paints. I know of a lot of artist who add different mediums like molding paste or heavy body gel to enhance the paint.

I really haven't used this brand of paint. I just know that it is thinner and great for creating loose painting and adding appliqu to a surface, sort of like Jackson Pollock. Many school teachers use Chromacyl acrylics for their students, but well known artists use it too.

As with the other two acrylics, it depends on what you are trying to do with your painting. Chromacyl's Acrylic Essentials were developed for the middle school teacher because it has good solubility, intense color, and rich consistency for painting, printing, and sculptures. As an artist you can use Chromacyl's Acrylic Essentials for the same reason - just keep in mind that it is a little thinner than other acrylic brands I mentioned earlier.

All three bands are all great and affordable to use for your paintings whether you are a student, beginner artist or professional. I would suggest that you test them to see what works for you.

I use a palette knife with Liqutex's Basic and Chroma A2 when I might use a more expensive acrylic paint. I add different mediums to these two brands to make the paint thicker and more pliable like Golden or Liquetex's Professional Acrylic Paint, but both paints still work just fine with what I'm trying to do with my palette knife. I'm still able to make nice textures and bold strokes with the Liqutex's Basic and Chroma's A2.

If you are looking for some great paints that are inexpensive, I encourage you to try the three that I mentioned in this article. There are several others out there but I have found these three brands work well for me and for my other artist friends.

If you are an artist or someone who wants to know more about painting with acrylics, sign up and get free weekly painting tips using a palette knife at http://painting-with-a-palette-knife.com/

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Peter Max - The Psychedelic Pop Artist

Peter Max artwork is among the most admired art in modern world. This is because people have found inspiration in his paintings as they look for ways and means towards a better world. Peter Max art, the better world, has inspires those of that want to drift off into a peaceful world. It is easy to get lost in Peter Max's bright pop art. His art is surrounded with love and compassion for the environment. One of Peter Max Paintings, flag with heart, has been adopted by those of us that believe in freedom. Peter has been a long time crusader for peace in our world. Flag with heart is one of the most popular paintings amongst Americans across their nation.

His works of art can be found in many international art exhibitions and galleries. The 'liberty head' has inspired many to get involved with the democratic changes in their respective countries and communities. His paintings convey such a strong message that many can not ignore. This helps to challenge many who thought that they have to wait for help from others to solve their problems. Once you have understood the need to change your situation, you will find that the moment you set to work on the situation, help will flow from unexpected quarters to ensure that you have succeeded. This is why his art, such as, umbrella man, and, hearts, have such acclamation among crusaders for natural justice. In case you are facing a mountainous challenge, I believe that peter max art work has a link that would change your darkness to noonday light. This is because; most of his paintings will inspire and motivate you to initiate action towards a better life.

One of peter max paintings that have also been popular is the flower. This has actually influenced many who felt trapped in odd and lifeless situations due to its 'real life' effects. The beauty of the multi- colored flower painting inspires one to look for opportunities beyond the set limits and expand one's horizons and imagination. This can change a hopeless situation to a golden chance where life will never be the same again. If only one is ready to accept that there is away out, life will always provide a second chance. This rates the flower painting outstandingly above other peter max art because any of us can work out impossibilities to life time achievements that will brighten his life.

If you are art lover and want to buy original Peter Max art and paintings, then logon to OriginalArtBroker.com. They offer original art and paintings of world famous artists like Peter Max, Dale Chihuly, Leroy Neiman etc. Visit site and get your favorite artist's original painting at best prices.

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