September 08, 2009

My Passion.

Horses are my passion. Even though I do not ride anymore, I still recall the beauty of a ride through an autumn forest and the sense of freedom it offered me.

Today, what fascinates me about these animals is their elegance and the speed with which they move, with such an ease and grace. When I was young, I loved to draw horses and did this constantly. I even made clay artwork depicting fairy tale horses in art classes. I watched horses and studied their anatomy and the way they took their strides and how their body moved in a wild run. I developed a skill of drawing a horse very fast, just a few lines using a pen.

Today - and ever since I began to draw - I have been fascinated by two subjects; ethereal beauty and action in a movement. I tried at all times to depict these in my drawings or paintings; and both can be found in a run of a horse.

Below is a mix of images I drew when I was really young. I have posted a picture of one of my oil paintings previously, however I always preferred to draw horses with a pencil. Some are inspired by the old Czech fables and most are unfinished sketches, but all are over 2o years old.

The clip below documents an attempt to draw a horse the way I used to. I am of course a bit out of practice and although it is difficult to draw with one hand, while looking at the image through a lens of camera in my other hand, I think you get the idea. The drawing is a bit off proportionally (way too long front legs!), but the learned skill is still there, somewhere, even tough it is in need of some serious "dusting off".


25 comments:

Bhushavali said...

Interesting... Loving ur sketches... Seen my sketches..???Check it out here and here...
My Travelogue

Rajesh said...

The sketches are amazing. I think you should draw more often.

Sumandebray said...

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful creation are the horses.
They are such awesome creatures!
Your sketches are great! And that video of you sketching .. I will show that to my daughter when she starts drawing.. it going to be a great tutorial..
By the way I too like horses though I am not a rider. Chck this out when you have time http://sumandebray.blogspot.com/2009/06/horse-sense-for-dummies.html

Gal Friday said...

This was an unexpected blog for me to read and view(!) this morning. What a clever idea--a little video of your own hand drawing the horse's form with deft strokes.
I REALLY like the bas relief clay horse's head you made, Zuzana.

I was never a horse gal--sorry! But so many of my girlfriends were(and my two cousins who grew up in Lexington , Kentucky which is horse country). I preferred to draw mice, chipmunks and kittens--never quite got the hang of drawing a horse.

Gal Friday said...

I just now realised that it must be YOU riding the horse in the top photo, yes?? That is a wonderful shot-- trotting along with your hair flowing.

Donna said...

You're very talented! Love the sketches.

Maria said...

It takes some talent to capture the magnificence of that animal, the beauty and sense of movement etc. What a challenge! You're clearly well able for that!

Betsy Brock said...

Well, that is a gorgeous photo of you riding!

I love pencil sketches and yours here are beautiful! You have posted on it previously, but I had forgotten that you love horses so much and draw them. Lovely!

Keith said...

So amazing. I love horses. It's been years since I've had a chance to ride one. My uncle and aunt had several horses when I was growing up.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Keep on with your passion thinking, even though you do not ride anymore, as you say. The sketches are nice!

Julie Hibbard said...

I am not sure if I am more impressed with your sketches or the fact that you could actually videotape yourself WHILE you were sketching!
You are amazing! :)

Claus said...

So much talent! Looks somewhat easy, but I know it must require a lot of practice...and passion for that matter. Even with a lot of practice, one could not be good at anything if you don't love it, right? Wonderful sketches Protege. Is that you in the picture?!

Sandi McBride said...

They are all lovely. I wish I had the talent to draw even a decent looking stick figure! I too adore horses and anything to do with them! It's the fluidity of movement that causes me to catch my breath.
Sandi

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Fantastic sketches Protege, you are so talented, I'm forever amazed! And the photo of you riding is beautiful.

Jeanne x

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

I've always been horse-mad! I treasure each and every time I ever got to ride and I still long to go for a ride. I could never draw them though. I can't imagine how you could draw and film at the same time! Love the photo at the top. My niece loves to draw them too. My son just got back from a medieval festival where they have the really huge jousting horses, Percherons and such. Impressive animals!

Melanie Gillispie said...

I love it when you post your artwork!

Zuzana said...

=Mitr,
thank you and your sketches are truly lovely as well.;))

=Rajesh,
thank you, I guess I need some more practice.;))

=Sumandebray,
I could not agree more with you.;)) And thank you for your kind words; however I am not sure that clip is god enough for educational purposes, LOL, but I am glad yo like it.;)))
Thank you also for the link to your older post, I really enjoyed reading it.;)))

=Tina,
yes, another crazy idea of mine.;)) And yes, I was crazy about horses. I can not draw a cat or dog, not mice or chipmunks, I have got to see you draw these.;))
And yes, it is me in my blond and much younger days (and skinnier) days.;))
Always glad when you stop by.;)) xo

=Donna,
I am nothing compared to you; thank you so much.;))
xo

=gaelikaa,
thank you dear friend; I am not sure so much talent but practice. I think I was just so very persistent. But thank you so much for your kind words.;) xo

=Betsy,
thank you so much for your kind words and for spotting me on the old picture.;)) Always glad when you stop by.;) xo

=Keith,
yes, it is the same for me, last time I was riding is about 12 years ago... Terrible how time flies.;)

=Philip,
thank you for that kind comment, much appreciated.;))

=Julie,
you are way to kind; thank you.;)) The clip could have been better though - I just had some fun;)) Always happy when you stop by.;)) xo

=Claudia,
so right you are ; it is all about practice and paying attention. I studied the animals constantly, every time I was around horses, I was looking at their muscles and the way they moved.;))
Yes, it is me, way back when life was still good and sweet.;))
Always appreciate your visits.;)) xo

=Sandi,
thank yo so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment. I am sure you would be able to draw very good with a bit practice. You are in any case a superb writer.;))

=Jeanne,
you are so kind at all times with your words of compliments; glad you recognized the much younger version of me.;))
xoxo

=Rosezilla,
glad to find a kindred spirit! Actually here in a nearby town, a Medieval Festival, the largest one in Europe, is held every end of August. I attended it last year and it was fantastic, in fact I wrote a blog post about it.;))
So glad every time you pay me a visit.;)) xo

=Mel,
thank you my friend, you are always so kind.;)) Glad you enjoy my creations.;)) xo

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

OH...I did NOT know you loved horses! They are BEAUTIFUL and your sketches are wonderful too. You have great talent!

We live in the country side and now have horses on BOTH sides of Killeny Glen...it is PURE PLEASURE for me to get up in the morning and watch them gallop and play and interact...SO PRETTY to watch.
Since our newest horse friend, Wheesy, came I CANNOT resist going down to the pasture to rub his velvety nose!

Keera Ann Fox said...

I used to draw horses a lot. You have some true talent! Those drawings are very good (and so's the painting you posted earlier).

Unknown said...

very nice drawings. did you tape that sheet down before starting? :-) I also rode alot when I was young. not now, I have had two back surgeries.

United Studies said...

This takes me back to my childhood...I would spend hours sketching horses and houses. At home time I wanted to be an architect, so I drew house plans.

You are very talented!

Zuzana said...

=Jill,
yes, I love them very much. Thank you for your kind comment on my sketches.;) And I do recall your post about the new handsome man in your life, the beautiful chestnut coloured horse.;)) xo

=Keera,
ah, thank you, that is so kind of you. I only know I love(d) to draw.;)) Could you post any of your drawings? I sure love to see your depiction of these grand animals.;) xo

=Doreen,
no, no taping, that is why it was moving around. And I was standing up too, so the whole thing is a bit disproportional.;) LOL!
Sorry about your back.:( I do not ride anymore, but I sure like the feeling of knowing I can, if I choose to.;)) xo

=Jacki,
how fun you drew horses too! Do you have any of the drawings still?
Thank you as always for your kind words and for stopping by.;)) xo

sujata sengupta said...

what amazing sketches!! loved the video its a tutorial almost. You are so creative, i love that about you.

Keera Ann Fox said...

Sorry, no drawings came with me on my last move to Norway.

Zuzana said...

=sujata,
thank you so much, that was very kind of you. I simply love to draw.;))xo

=Keera,
that is too bad, perhaps one day you get hold of them.;)