I am in need of some help with this one……although it is really to help me with my next horse oil paintings. I have now given a base coat and background wash to four large canvases. They are drying, and I have my photos ready, from the recent photo shoot with Tenor, my friends Andalusian horse. So this recent horse painting is my largest yet 70cmX50cm, it was done in oil, But, I have learnt a big lesson, and something I think I should take note of more often….when to stop, when is a painting actually finished?? Well this is why I need your help, I am going to show you the under painting stage, and the finished end result. I am interested to know which you prefer, I have had mixed feedback from friends, but one is in the lead by a little. I really need to know before I embark on future horse paintings, I guess it is more about a style preference than a question of ‘is a painting finished or not’? I can’t do much about this painting now, but I am interested to know your thoughts.
‘Son of Zeus’ oil painting, base under paint layer 70cmX50cm
‘Son of Zeus’ oil painting, base under paint layer 70cmX50cm
‘Son of Zeus’ finished oil painting 70cmX50cm
RebeccaEvans Create 
I placed my vote! 😉 lovely painting and I think you’re right in it bring a style choice.
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Thank you Charlie, votes show it is neck and neck and the moment, I will let you all know the result in about a week….got to give it a fair run 😀
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Son of Zeus is beautiful! And I gave my vote! Yes both painting are beautiful but different! For an artist finding your own style and voice is important 😉 I hope that my vote will help you in your decision!
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Thank you Carolina, strangely, it is neck and neck so far with votes, which is interesting, I was kinda hoping for a clear winner, ( early days yet) just shows how important choice is in art, and how hard it can be to judge what is good or bad, we all like something different 😀
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I know it is truly important! I can tell you that I like both very, very much but one of them did speak to me! 😉
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Fantastic, that’s what I like to hear, I cannot see what individuals have voted for, so it’s all just in the final result.
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Yes and if you want to know more about my vote and impressions you can always contact me directly on my contact page! 😉
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Thank you, I may well do, so far the under painting is in the lead, which is a combo of the WP and a work poll.
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Great!
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I’ve added my vote. It will be interesting to learn the final results.
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It will, and thank you, so far the under painting is in the lead, which is a combo of the WP and a work poll.
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They are both beautiful, I fluctuated, no right answer, no wrong answer, just a preference. I wondered which part of the painting you enjoyed most…I voted, I hope it helps.
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Thank you for your vote, i preferred the under painting, I just did not realise I should have stopped, right there? It was the best and most fun part too.
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Tough choice. Both beautiful. I’ll be interested to see why people voted for one versus other.
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Thank you Beverly, so far including my poll at work the first under painting is in the lead…..I shall give it until the end of the week for a better fair vote analysis.
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If I saw the pictures separately, I would say no preference. Both are great. But seeing them together I prefer the first one. I think it is the higher contrast that appeals to me. A matter of personal taste. Which do you like? You should do what YOU like.
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I did prefer the first -under painting,before I ruined it, ( as my daughter says) she suggested I do a poll, to help me with future horse oil paintings. Sometimes I don’t know when to stop. I do prefer the high contrast, it gave the horse more movement and emotion. So far the under painting is in the lead, this is a combination of a work poll …..interestingly it is still almost level pegging on this WP poll, so I will let everyone know at the end of the week.
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I think it is still beautiful, I don’t see anything being ruined.
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Oh thank you Dawn, it’s a preference thing really I guess
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I voted, they are so beautiful but love the top one best
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Thank you Karen, I also did a poll at work today, I asked 20 people, and so far a clear winner, the under painting, I will add them all up at the end of the week.
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I have placed a vote but not after some intense back-and-forth deliberation! I shouldn’t wish to pick one, really, as they both have their charms. I can relate to the whole overworking concept; I find myself grappling with that often (I certainly wouldn’t say the final painting has been spoilt in any way for the extra work, however – it is still magical).
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Thank you Jacob, I checked this morning and the WP votes are back to nearly neck and neck, it’s an interesting tool, to do a poll, I am mainly interested, as if I eventually start selling, eek! Then I think it’s important to create work that people want, and of course I enjoy painting, I always think the love shines through in people’s work.
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Yes, this platform is a great way to gauge opinion from a diverse cross-section. It’s a clever way to use it.
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This is beautiful Rebecca! Both have their own uniqness, still i have voted 😉
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Thank you, I really appreciate everybodies votes, it’s v interesting and with WP and my work poll I think I have decided how I plan to go with my next pieces…..if it works out?
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That’s amazing! Looking forward to your new artwork 😍
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I voted! Gahhhh, I experience the exact same thing Rebecca- I love the early stages, but lose some of my favourite parts by the end. I voted for the underpainting one, but I must say, your underpainting is so much more refined than mine at a similar stage! And though I voted that, there’s no way I think the underpainted one looks unfinished. Actually, I like the lost and found edges, suggestions of things (like the leg fading out), certainty of others (the facial structure, plus the overall render (the drips). And I think it’s unique in style. I hope you were able to come to a decision! Very brave doing a poll, I’d go round in circles!
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Thank you Vicki, the votes are 50/50 at the moment on WP, it’s really interesting as my work poll was 6/13 in favour of the under painting. I have prep’d about six canvases over the last two days, I am aiming to create the more under painting style art, I prefer that one myself, and feel quite angry with myself for loosing that raw look, but hey ho, I just hope I can achieve similar with my other horse photos, or maybe that was a fluke, that I just lost? I have really gone large lately and the largest will be 1 mx70 cm, should be exciting.
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Oh em gee arm ache! Well, when you find the way to keep the best bits of the underpainting, let me know! And vice versa! Can’t wait to see the paintings.
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I will post them if they work out….oh and if they don’t, he he, having an oil break for a bit, need a rest for the living room, the oils are all on easels, and take up so much room, because of the slow drying they are left hanging around, at least w/c or pastel can be put away at the end of the night.
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Both images are gorgeous. It is like telling the same story in different ways, one is robust and spirited and the other is elegant and refined. Either way it is a beautiful telling and a stunning portrait. Thank you for sharing such beauty.
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Thank you for you lovely comments, it is still very split as to each personal preference. I will just paint what I feel, and see what happens to its finished state, I must just learn the less is more rule ( not my favourite saying, as I can’t stick to it v often)
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I definitely prefer the underpainting. It has much more contrast and color variation. Who’s to say your finished painting is finished? You can always go back and give it back the elements of the underpainting that you like the most.
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Thank you, And welcome to my blog. I did try to pull it back a bit, it was much smoother before I called it finished, I really liked the original showing through some off the under painting, which I could not get back, hey ho, I put it down to experience. Have a great day.
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I think both are gorgeous, Rebecca. I would go with the first one, but if they were each shown separately, I may like them both equally. Horses are so hard, but not for you!
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Thank you Laura, the first came out tops, but not as much as I had thought it would. My next horse is huge and whole body, so a little challenge for the bank holiday. So pleased you are feeling better, missed you loads x
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You’re so sweet, thanks. Are you glad you setup the poll? Although I do think you should go with whatever you like best, regardless.
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I am pleased I did the poll, I knew I preferred the first one, but I wanted to see others thoughts, especially if I sell in the future, a general consensus was helpful.
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You are so so talented. Your work is so beautiful. Your work would fly off the shelves, girl!
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Thank you Laura, that is such a great boost to know you think that, I hope so, I guess art is so personal, you never can tell.
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It is personal but you are really talented so cream has to rise to the top! That’s the way I see it. 💜
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Aww you are so kind, you know how to make a girl feel good, especially when this is the bit I doubt about myself. Our WP community has been so good for me, I think it has been a key part of my process in reaching my goal to eventually sell.
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I’m really glad! I find it really helpful also. It’s hard to imagine someone like you ever doubting your abilities. That kinda blows my mind. I guess everyone has doubts, but man.
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Oh yes all the time, but thank you always for your big boosts of confidence. Always helpful😀
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