Happy Trails by Laura Smith

Laura Smith
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Added 25 Mar 2007
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This is probably the most difficult portrait I've done. My accountant gave me a tiny photo of her daughter last year and asked me to draw it for her. Never tell me, "I'm in no hurry for it at all." because I won't be either! haha.

Well, I had such a busy year especially with my new camera that this sat on my to do shelf until my husband mentioned that we need to take our taxes in! Suddenly I remembered!

This ended up being such a great image to draw. The time of day the reference photo was taken bathed the horse and rider with so many interesting shadows. I had to learn to trust them. Filling in the lower half of the horse's face almost completely black made me very nervous! No detail? OK... but as I worked leaving the black shadows in place the portrait really popped to life.

So much detail in all the equipment and shadows this was SO HARD! But in the end I think it turned out to be one of my best. AND... I got it done by April 15th!! My accountant was thrilled with it and hopefully I'll get a nice refund! In a way I already have being able to add this portrait to my portfolio! =}

11" x 9" graphite on Bristol Smooth. Clutch pencils, 2H, HB, 2B & 4B.

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40 Comments

Anonymous Guest 20 Jul 2013

This is spectacular, Laura! I can't believe ANYONE could draw something this realistic! You are an amazingly gifted and talented artist. The gift that you have is priceless.

John Cappello 27 May 2013

This Beautiful piece makes me feel like I'm there. I'm loving the mood it sets !

A.M. den Hollander 27 Jun 2009

Wow, i admire your shading skills! and this drawing is a perfect example of it. outstanding piece of work.. congrats!

walt larsen 19 Jan 2008

a wonderful work of art

Marty Yokawonis 18 Jan 2008

this is incredible - Ican't believe you got this much detail from a tiny photo

debbie collier 19 Nov 2007

Amazing work!!!! Beautifully done!!!!

Marlene Piccolin 15 Nov 2007

I agree with all below. You've captured the light, the movement and the realism. What really amazes me is you did this as an 11X9 size. So hard to get detail in a drawing that size with so much going on. Incredible. Kudos.

Chris Hoffman 24 Jul 2007

Laura I always know your work from the crowd your attention to detail and realistic values shine. Great work...

Eddy collins 26 Mar 2007

nice work

Tahnja Wolter 26 Mar 2007

LAURA!!! OH MY!!!! FAAARR OUT girlfriend this is AWWWWWWESOME!!!!!!!! And I LOVED reading about how you had to learn to trust the shadow and light of the camera. It turned out so amazing that I swear it dead set looks EXACTLY like a photo! I tell ya Laura, you are the awesomest! hehehehe

Katerina Koukiotis 26 Mar 2007

wow laura this is amazing and so detailed beautiful horse and girl i bet your accountant was very pleased and happy with this!!!

Anthony Smith 26 Mar 2007

Once again Laura, beautiful work.

Deborah Johnson 26 Mar 2007

Very well done , the handeling of the light is great and the equipment is right on and the feel of motion is good too. Has that energy that i like to see.

Penny Myers 26 Mar 2007

Wow, your pencil work is outstanding.

helen tyralik 26 Mar 2007

well detailed drawing

joan warburton 26 Mar 2007

Laura, this is fantastic! The detail you achieve is incredible. I can't say enough about your work!

eileen martin 26 Mar 2007

Laura, all of your sweat and tears paid off with this one, this is perfect, fantastic job:)

Jacqueline Bishop 25 Mar 2007

the finised turned out juat beautiful, another well done work of art by you!!

Carliss Mora 25 Mar 2007

I recall seeing this as you were doing it over at one of the forums! I'm happy you're happy with the results, because I thought it was remarkably outstanding with only the portion you had done. Congrats on your very well done efforts, Laura, that culminated into one heck of a fantastic piece!!!

Louis Myers 25 Mar 2007

Magnificent! Absolutely beautiful!

Mike Beckett 25 Mar 2007

this is an absolute beauty! such life and motion to this! excellent!

jamie winter 25 Mar 2007

Excellent just excellent Laura. jamie

Leah Jaarveth 25 Mar 2007

fantastic!!!!

Mariluz Kaltwasser 25 Mar 2007

Gran trabajo. Felicidades

BySilent 25 Mar 2007

Beautiful sketch

David Orsinger 25 Mar 2007

great piece..lovely pencil work

v blair 25 Mar 2007

This is beautiful Laura,love the feel of movement,beautiful tones!

Tami Dykes 25 Mar 2007

How wonderful! You did an outstanding job.

Joanna Jungjohann 25 Mar 2007

so very lovely; why she is alive on paper, just a marvel to see, a treasure to her mum I am sure, how can you part with them? lol I would not be able to.