"Hackney Horse"
5x7 oil on handmade birch panel
The ultimate high-stepping, extreme-action equine machine, the Hackney Horse is one of the oldest breeds. Developed in England hundreds of years ago as a durable, versatile and elegant coach and riding horse, the Hackney has influenced many of the modern American breeds of horses such as the standardbreds, morgans, american saddle horses and many more. Once a very popular and widespread breed, today the Hackney Horse is quite rare and considered an endangered breed.
In these close-up images, the woodgrain (vertical lining) of the birch panel shows very clearly, however, it is not this apparent in the physical painting. I sand the panels very smooth before I gesso them, and, they are also sanded again before they are ready to paint on, so, in fact these panels have very smooth surfaces except for the texture of the applied oil paint. The woodgrain is still visible and adds a subtle quality to the finished artwork, however, for some reason, the scanner and the camara always seem to emphasis the woodgrain, so, I just want you to know it is much more subtle than these photos show.
This is a beautiful piece! Not many Hackney horses left here in the states either.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn how few are left everywhere! The hackney ponies are still fairly popular, but, the horses are dissapearing. These really are a beautiful breed that would be such a shame to lose through lack of interest! Kerry
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