Earlier this month, Meg Schroeder posted a video of her NaMoPaiMo model in progress, which showed off some impressive hair by hair detailing in the flank area.
Some impressive hair by hair horse flank detail, which is a problem because she's painting a Stone Horses mule.
Once again it was NaMoPaiMo to the rescue! Within an hour or two, Canadian artist, Darynn Bednarczyk had typed up this informative little piece about the difference between horse, donkey and mule hair growth patterns.
More Than Just Ears: Different Hair Growth Pattens in Horses, Donkeys and Mules
by Darynn Bednarczyk
I wanted to post something about this because I am seeing an influx of both mule artwork and hair by hair methods gaining popularity. I have been nerding out over the horse hair growth pattern for months now and am trying to provide accurate reference material for hair growth in our painting processes!
I have recently noticed a difference and variance in both horse, donkey and mule hair growth in the flank area.
Horses have a very clear 'D' shape in their flank, which extends sometimes across the abdomen. I have been heavily focusing on this in my recent appaloosa painting classes as spots and patterns will follow this. You can see the change of direction and the flow of that following the body of the horse.
Donkeys appear to have no flank change in direction. The hair just flows over the body, towards the ground.
When you cross a donkey with a horse, you get a mule with the flank pattern as expected. A smaller almost 'cowlick' section that can vary in height and position but is often much thinner. It also seems to rest higher up the flank, not making contact with the lowest point of the flank skin. While the rest of the hairs seems to flow similarly to that of a donkey.
Horses have a very clear 'D' shape in their flank, which extends sometimes across the abdomen. I have been heavily focusing on this in my recent appaloosa painting classes as spots and patterns will follow this. You can see the change of direction and the flow of that following the body of the horse.
Donkeys appear to have no flank change in direction. The hair just flows over the body, towards the ground.
When you cross a donkey with a horse, you get a mule with the flank pattern as expected. A smaller almost 'cowlick' section that can vary in height and position but is often much thinner. It also seems to rest higher up the flank, not making contact with the lowest point of the flank skin. While the rest of the hairs seems to flow similarly to that of a donkey.
Meg took the information and ran with it.
Her mule is looking fabulous.
NaMoPaiMo is all about community, education and art. Thank you, Meg and Darynn. You're both awesome.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment