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Murasaki99 — Horse Drawing Tutorial by-nc-sa

Published: 2008-05-19 06:51:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 5531; Favourites: 57; Downloads: 1663
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Description For and others who would like a quick overview of the steps to construct a horse or other equine-shaped animal. This is a distillation of the important bits I have gleaned over the years.

Have reference material, either the real animal, a good photo, or a 3-D model is vital when you are learning. Once you have all the major anatomical "landmarks" in your memory, you can construct a horse without reference material. I'm not an uber-purist about such things -- use what works and helps to train your inner eye. I own a bunch of Breyer plastic model horses which I haul out and stare at when I'm trying a new angle or complex arrangement. Check out Wikipedia's great articles on equine anatomy and structure here: [link]

You can trace a photo -- but bear in mind photos distort, and the equine form can end up warped depending on the angle of the camera. As you gain experience you will be able to correct for distortion as you create your initial rough sketch.

Do take your camera to a horse show, track, or local stable and take lots of pictures. Sitting in a pasture and sketching is a lot of fun, just watch out for horsie-help!
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Comments: 15

zarhx [2008-06-27 17:44:51 +0000 UTC]

Wonderfully made.
I learned to draw horses using this method, before I even saw this guide. xD
I've been doing it this way for years.

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Murasaki99 In reply to zarhx [2008-06-28 02:00:57 +0000 UTC]

It is a good technique, it took me ages to finally figure it out.

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FlareAndIcicle [2008-05-19 20:13:17 +0000 UTC]

Key to my Dreams really is beautiful!

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Murasaki99 In reply to FlareAndIcicle [2008-05-20 00:37:57 +0000 UTC]

Was beautiful, thank you. Alas, she passed away 2 years ago in early June. I still miss her.

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FlareAndIcicle In reply to Murasaki99 [2008-05-20 15:19:02 +0000 UTC]

That's a pity

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Murasaki99 In reply to FlareAndIcicle [2008-05-21 02:34:59 +0000 UTC]

She was 20 years old, which is considered an "aged" horse, but still it seemed to young to me, especially since many horses make it into their 30s. She had a good life though, and a fair amount of fun, I do believe, training me and a bunch of young girls to ride.

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FlareAndIcicle In reply to Murasaki99 [2008-05-21 06:46:20 +0000 UTC]

That's good at least And yeah, 20 doesn't seem that old...

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DonnaBarr [2008-05-19 15:35:29 +0000 UTC]

Horse points: they have jaws like crocodiles. Don't drop their little mouth to open; open up the whole jaw structure -- the head becomes much more square.

Horses have the dinosaur s-neck. They also have only one remaining digit, so present a very light impression, even when large; they're not very connected to the earth. No wonder the Arabs said the were made of the wind.

Their elbows and knees are nearly flush with their bodies -- there are thighs and upper arms under their body flesh; remember that.

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Murasaki99 In reply to DonnaBarr [2008-05-20 00:35:28 +0000 UTC]

Yes, to all you said, great points!

Some horses have "tighter" elbows and knees (stifle joints) than others. My mare above had rather close-to-the body elbows, but a dressage horse I rode for lessons had wonderfully made elbow joints. Still, my mare could do a front-cat stretch that was most impressive.

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DeviantPersonality [2008-05-19 12:07:27 +0000 UTC]

Oi' Thanks for this
Its, as I guessed, about the basic shapes (ie. cirkles)

Ill try it out later ^^

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Murasaki99 In reply to DeviantPersonality [2008-05-19 14:31:19 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! Enjoy.

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Jackwrench [2008-05-19 07:04:32 +0000 UTC]

Very cool tutorial. Good lookin' horse, too!

-J

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Murasaki99 In reply to Jackwrench [2008-05-19 07:24:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I do love them horsies.

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Jackwrench In reply to Murasaki99 [2008-05-19 14:44:07 +0000 UTC]

Horsies are rockin'.

-J

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Murasaki99 In reply to Jackwrench [2008-05-20 00:32:47 +0000 UTC]

They jump and bounce, too!

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