So I have over the last couple of years dabbled with watercolour, slowly I had began to like it…..previously I had avoided it, thinking it was an uncontrollable medium, where detail was hard to achieve. I now realise it is the ‘ mind of its own’ nature that is so appealing, and as for huge detail? Well does it really matter. Worldwatercolor month was really great for me, and what’s more, I had no idea of the benefits it would have, the thought of painting and posting each day was something I imagined I would fault on in the first week, with work and the horses to take priority. But my committed side shone through and with a great world group of fellow painters all inspiring each other, I did not want to let the side down. Now that the month of July has past, and worldwatercolormonth waved goodbye, I find myself still grabbing the watercolours lovingly. How brilliant that Charlie at doodlewash has continued the love for watercolour with #worldwatercolorgroup.
I have found during the month that my horses have improved, I don’t fear ‘ whole body’ of the horse as I used to. I discovered less paint is beneficial, with a subtle look. Being patient, let the paint dry! Oh and I found a new love, watercolour is up there with the oils I love …..it’s a different look, and that’s good, it’s less messy, less time consuming, and no odour…..just not quite as big as the 1.20m canvases I am in love with. But would I want to do a watercolour that big? Actually yes, but I am not ready for that yet….and where do you buy that size paper from?
Todays post is of two horses…..one this afternoon, and one this evening, ( nearly the end of my holiday, it’s been great riding and painting).

‘Womble’ horse watercolour 30×40 cm 200lb coldpress

‘Ini Kamoze’ ….hot stepper, horse watercolour 30x40cm 200lb coldpress
So beautiful! I think these two horses are painted so well and I really like the fact that you painted just enough and didn’t detail them to death…..my favorite part on the first horse is the face and that posture…..and the hoofs on the second horse and the back legs….again you can imply and simplify which brings more feeling to the subject and hence to the viewer. You are excelling in your watercolors, very impressive and inspiring! again….those hoofs on the last one is outrageous beautiful! you have that hard line on the bottom edge of the front hoof and the soft almost ghost like on the other hoofs is brilliant…..
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Thank you Margaret, your encouraging words mean so much, and I really am feeling more at ease with these beautiful watercolours…. At last, and it really is Charlie to thank for making me pick them up each day, practice really does help 😀
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It sure does!
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Yes, yes, yes……here’s to rocks and horses!
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Rebecca, some of your best work in watercolor on these two horses. Fluid and gentle, and oh so graceful. Simply marvelous!
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Thank you Cynthia, I was really pleased with these two, today was definitely a good painting day, but also down to a whole months practice, I am loving this stuff now…..I am sure more horses to come 😀
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absolutely amazing Rebecca! I absolutely love the first one, and then I notice what you left a bit to our imagination in the second, and find it BRILLIANT. That is what watercolor is about. LOVE IT!
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Thank you Jodi, it is only this month that I discovered the power of ‘ leaving bits out’ and I am loving it, especially as like you say it leaves a little to the imagination.
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I was amazed when I read this (I totally agree with your words about Charlie and the inspiring painters in WWG) when you said you were liking Watercolors. I thought you were a seasoned painter of years. Yours colors are so beautifully applied to your horses…I’m still shaking my head in disbelief!
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Thank you Teri, I have always in the past used coloured pencils, then when I started this blog about a year and a half ago I decided I should try something different and attempted a number of WC, slowly they have grown on me, but over this month, it is love ❤️❤️❤️
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Such a wonderful love story! 😄
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Ahhh yes, ……..We had known of each other for years, just a nod of acknowledgment on meeting, then in more recent years we had many more run ins, having shared acquaintances such as Olive Oil, Charlie Coal, Penny Sill, A.C.R Lyric. But then in July 2016 having been introduced by the wonderful Charlie O’Sheilds from Doodlewash, for a global get together, myself and Walter Colour really hit it off, we had met every night during July, our friendship grew stronger and stronger. By the end of July, it was time for Walter Colour to leave, we said our goodbyes, bags packed, it had been a great month. I even met up with Olive Oil for the day, but I was missing Walter Colour. I got back in touch, ‘ please come back’ we really did have so much fun, and there is always a little more love to give! Walter Colour has even met the horses….it must be ❤️❤️❤️
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❤️❤️❤️. A chance meeting and now engaged!
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He he 😀
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Wow you have perfected what to leave to the imagination. And I just have to say this. You do not not not have a hoof problem. Your horses are perfectly true to life, like plucking a crystal glass, rings totally true. More lovely than a photo, Rebecca, smashing work! 💜💜💜
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Thank you Laura, I was having a great paint day yesterday, and doing the whole horse over and over has been great for improvements, especially the hoof area… I now realise it was the fetlock and Pastern I was going wrong with, so I hope problem is solved ish?
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You have nailed the horse, IMO. You nail every animal you tackle! Usually when you see a horse rendering, unless the person is a stone-cold pro, there is something that looks a bit off. But your horses are amazing. Not to say every single one, every single part has been perfect up to now, but I think all of your recent horses are total stunners, seriously, Rebecca. With only small nits in some of the prior ones, they are usually all spot on! ❤
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Your comments really make my day Laura, really looking into the possibilities of selling online, just wish I had someone to talk about the pros and cons, etc. All this practice means I have loads of stuff filed and stored all over the house…..but the practice has been worth it, and to be continued, at the end of the day, this has to be fun and an enjoyable way to spend an evening, otherwise what’s the point. Last day of my holidays today, started a new under painting for my oils, three on the go now! At least it is something to chill with after work over the next few weeks 😀
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so weird, I just put a comment about you selling on another one of your pages here. I’m not sure if there are cons with most of these avenues because there is not much of an upfront cost (sometimes, none at all). But I don’t really know much about the art world, so not sure if it would be bad for your art “career” to explore possibly the “wrong” avenue. I say go for it. Totally. Your stuff is amazing. Not just saying it, but you already know that. ❤
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Lol how strange that is, I have just seen that comment now 😀
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WOW! And I’m just incredibly humbled to be in the title of a post this beautiful! 😊 Your horses are brilliant and everything you create is so fantastically beautiful! I’m thrilled to have been a part of your new love of watercolour! You’re work is masterful! 😍🎨
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You deserve a title 😀 Again you are in the spam folder 3 times!….what have you done to get there??
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Actually… I’m finding some of you in the Spam folder too… have we been naughty? Well… I mean… probably… but not in a way that our comments should be hidden! Lol
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Lol, well I was bound to be in spam too…we can’t all be good, I wonder if it has something to do with the other day I had to sign in for each comment, weird??
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No idea… I think they’re making updates so hopefully it will all get sorted!
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WOWZA! Your horses are AMAZING Rebecca!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Such beauty! 😄 I learned to enjoy watercolors more too and the patience to let it dry! 😉 I find I’m drawn to nature and still wanting to paint after Charlie’s challenge is over, like you. 😍🎨
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Thank you Jill, and that is so good to hear you too have been inspired by Charlie’s challenge….keep painting ❤️
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Exquisite horses Rebecca – thank you
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Wow thank you Alison, I feel honoured that you have liked my horses….slowly getting there with watercolour, just enjoying it is a huge step for me, as I used to find watercolour so frustrating!
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My pleasure Rebecca – it’s a tough medium but it does gorgeous things
doesn’t it? I am always learning new things and tried acrylics this summer. I am liking it!
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