Drawing and Painting Horses: the Art of the Equine Form - art supplies - Book Review

Arts & Activities, March, 2003 by Jerome J. Hausman

(2000; $35), by Barbara Oelke. Watson-Guptill Publications, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.

I can recall many times when my students in elementary and secondary schools wanted to draw, paint or sculpt a horse. Of course, I encouraged them to look at and do drawings of horses. Alas, in many cities or suburban areas this is easier said than done. I also encouraged their studying the works of artists whose art featured horses: Rubens, Delacroix, Bonheur, Degas, Remington and others. This was always helpful.

Barbara Oelke's book Drawing and Painting Horses is a well-illustrated, how-to-do-it publication. It is an excellent reference for anatomical study of the horse. Also, it contains a rather general "elements of drawing and painting" section dealing with line, value, shape and form, texture, light, color, perspective and space, design and composition. This is followed by chapters on drawing and painting the horse. The book also includes a chronological listing of artists whose works have included horses. In fact, some of the listed artists are featured in the book's illustrations. Unfortunately, many wonderful examples are omitted (Degas, Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci and Rubens). For information about this publication, circle No. 389 on the Reader Service Card.