Painting the Budweiser Clydesdale's

The Budweiser Hitch made an appearance at Country Thunder in Florence, AZ. I did not want to miss an opportunity to paint these incredible, beloved horses.

These are the two paintings I did from life of the Budweiser Hitch and their handlers. This was an energetic and thrilling morning. The paintings were completely spontaneous and done from a distance to avoid interfering with the tasks of preparing for their public hitch appearance. 

When I arrived, two handlers were each walking four horses around the grounds to allow them exercise. I followed and quickly set my easel up and sketched the gesture as they were returning to the stalls. They had 10 horses on this tour, and 8 were past the point to capture in this pose. I was lucky that another handler took the remaining two for a walk. While they were heading out, I quickly found a place out of the way and set up to paint. When they walked past, I further defined my sketch, then completed the painting from memory.

The second painting, "Bath Time", I was afforded a relatively stationary scene. Editing out everything but the essence, the composition tells the story of getting ready for their public appearance.

The quick gesture sketch.

Getting as much information as I can, then working from memory.

The finished field study.

"Morning Walk"

The quick gesture sketch.

The completed field study.

"Bath Time"

They are incredible horses!

Mustang Walkabout 2018 - Photography, Painting and Learning

This summer, I was able to take two wild horse trips. This field experience is an invaluable time for painting and photography. I picked up Meredith and Ben Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography and we traveled to Sand Wash Basin and then to the Great Desert Basin. (Earlier in the summer, we visited Sand Wash Basin and McCullough Peaks).

Horses pass by our camp.

Painting at the Great Desert Basin.

The Great Desert Basin.

Bestie Adventures.

Phenomenal Photographer,  Meredith Hudes-Lowder.

Painting Picasso.

At camp with Meredith and Ben.

The Bears Ears during the full moon.

Ben Lowder in action.

Sand Wash Basin horses.

Painting at Sand Wash Basin.

These extended on-range stays are the best way to learn. Being able to paint field studies, and take photos, while living there, is ultimately communicated through my studio paintings. 

Stallion Reflection

2017 was an incredible year, painting and spending time with wild horses on the range.  Field study is the foundation of my work, learning from in-depth observation. Investing time painting from life allows me to confront the challenges of communicating a moving 3-D subject onto a 2-D format. I strive to capture the essence and life.

"Stallion Reflection"
Oil
20x16
$800.00

The Mustang Walkabout with Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography was the most exciting one yet. Seeing new horses and following their lives through the years. We also returned to Assateague Island to teach painting and photography. These experiences have instilled a profound sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity I have to follow my dream.

I want to thank my collectors and friends for making this an amazing year! All the best to you in 2018!

Watercolor Travel Kit

Carrying a small watercolor kit is something that I do on every trip. I also take it with me to local parks, quick outdoor painting sessions and even when I get the truck serviced. I paint while waiting for the flight, on the plane, in the field looking for horses.

My kit is very light and minimal. It all fits in a small fanny pack. I use a Moleskin watercolor field book. Ninja Water brush, Rosemary travel brush, Nalgene water container, empty Metal Watercolor box, which I fill with full pans of colors that I use the most. I also use a Sucret's tin for additional colors. I also have a couple of brushes, pencils, a small sponge and cotton cloth that I can clip within easy reach. I keep a few business cards in my pack as well.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions. Keep painting!

At Assateague Island.

The Museum of Natural History. 

At Sky Harbor waiting for my flight.

Bear Mountain, NY.

With Meredith Hudes-Lowder and her travel harp.

In flight.

A lay-over.

A local park.

Assateague Island National Seashore.

Assateague Island Alliance Painting and Photogorphy Workshop

The Assateague Island Alliance sponsored workshop, Painting and Photographing Wild Horses was a wonderful success. The participants were talented and engaged. They eagerly approached the adventure of painting unrestrained horses that move  on their own timetable. We covered painting in oils, quick watercolor sketches and gesture sketching. The Photography sessions with Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography were educational and full of insight. Students learned to make  the most  of their DSLR, point and shoot and smart phone cameras.

Many thanks for Assateague Island Alliance, Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography and our awesome workshop participants!

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Karen McLain Studio

Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography 

2016 Wild Horse Painting Trip

The 2016 Wild Horse Painting trip is over and I am back in Arizona. It was a wonderful trip to see herds of horses that I have visited every summer as well as the first herd that I ever saw.  The light was stunning and the weather was perfect.

Painting from life is the best way to learn and grow.

Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography chronicled the trip with short videos in addition to teaching a workshop and taking amazing photos. During the trip, Meredith played her Harpcile Harp, which was  delightful for myself and our friends.  

It is always a treat to see Picasso.

At the end of the trip, we drove to Las Vegas for the Star Trek's 50th Anniversary.

Thank you for following the Adventure!