I'm trying to teach myself to draw in a manga style

I've been experimenting a little bit. Here's an example of one horse drawing in a slightly manga-ish style:



I think I need to work on:

- more detail, especially in the hair department.
- eyes!
- depth/3d effects.

But I'd love any other suggestions! :)

Vale Sally Swift

I just found out that Sally Swift has passed away at the age of 95. Such an inspirational woman who has taught so much to so many.

I have a copy of Centered Riding that I dip into every now and then for inspiration. I have found many useful things in it, and I shall certainly keep picking it up and reading bits for as long as I am a rider. It is the sort of book that really helps to keep you on track!

One of the things that I definitely use a lot, thanks to Sally Swift, is a long walk warm-up. The lightbulb moment for me in Centered Riding was when I read the section about a very stiff horse that took ages to warm up. The rider had been spending ages trying to loosen the horse up in trot, but then when they tried a walk warmup with lots of bending and stretching they found that the horse began to loosen up much more quickly. I began using this in my riding and found that it is an extremely effective warmup strategy! I don't just use it for stiffer horses, as I believe that every horse should be given the best warmup possible.

Sally Swift's influence in the horse world is vast, and will continue on for many, many years into the future.

It's about time I found some new horsey quotes!

Motivation has been a bit hard to come by lately. There's been a lot going on, but now I've got a bit of time so I'm going to seek out new inspiring things to help get me back on track!

First off, I love this beautiful artwork. I can't post the picture here because of copyright, etc, but I urge you to check it out!! It's beautifully painted, and just plain magical in a way that so many images that are supposed to celebrate the majesty of horses just aren't...

I wish I could buy it and hang it on my wall! But for now I have to be content with gazing at it on RedBubble. And dream of a day when I may create something like that...

Quotes are another way to kick start my brain in an easy bite-sized chunk! (Fun size?)

I've been collecting them on this little site here. I desperately need to add new ones, but it's great to read over the ones I've already collected.

February already? Better get a move on!

Well the weather has made it tricky to ride, so the ponies have mostly been on holidays and I've been playing about on internet stuff!

RedBubble mostly :)

New stuff:



This one is called Cranky Pony

It's an older drawing I did quite a few years ago. I love the expression on the horse's face :)