A Girl on a White Horse

As a painter, I find bits of inspiration in the world around me, and sometimes, a spark comes from the work of other artists. Recently, I’ve been captivated by Joaquin Sorolla’s painting of a child leading a horse on the beach. Sorolla’s mastery in capturing light and movement has always intrigued me, and there is a slight chance that this influence is evident in my latest piece.

This new work features a young girl on a white horse, set against a backdrop of mottled, impressionistic colors. The painting is done on an 8-inch by 8-inch canvas, using oil paints. I’ve always been drawn to the richness and depth that oil provides, and this piece is no exception. The fun, reflected light on the chest of the horse adds a touch of magic to the scene, bringing the entire composition to life.

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One challenge I faced with this painting is the small size of the canvas. While I love working on a more intimate scale, capturing fine details like facial features can be quite tricky. In this piece, the girl’s face is a bit too small to render accurately, which is something I’ll need to consider in future works. Faces in such small dimensions often lose the precision and character that larger canvases allow.

Despite this, I’m pleased with the overall feel of the painting. The joy and spontaneity of the moment shine through, which is ultimately what I aim to capture. I do plan to go back and refine some elements before calling it truly finished. There’s always room for a little more polish and detail, especially when it comes to bringing out the nuances in the light and shadows.

This piece is a reminder of the constant learning and adaptation that comes with being an artist. Each painting teaches me something new, whether it’s about technique, composition, or even the practical aspects of working on different canvas sizes.