<sub>Hello everyone, and welcome to “Horsin’ Around”, a bi-monthly article that brings you the latest news in and around the dA Equine Community! I’d be grateful if you could give me feedback on what you think of it, and if you have any suggestions for future issues, I’d love to hear them. If you think that you, or anyone else you know, deserves a feature, let me know and I’ll feature them here! I hope you enjoy this issue, and thanks for reading!

~Boribaby</sub>


Love for the Underappreciated

_{A selection of artists and some of their works that I feel deserve more faves and views! Please spare a minute, go check out their wonderful galleries and show them your support.}



This artist has a really pretty gallery, with lots of bright and lovely equine artwork. She has a cute style, and a lot of talent! She definitely needs more faves, so please stop by!




This gallery is full of delicate, beautiful coloured pencil works that will just make you smile! All her pictures consist of many different colours and tones. A stop to her page is very worthwhile!




When I saw this amazing gallery, I was sure all the pieces would be really popular, but it amazed me to see that none of her equine art had over 100 faves! Please stop by and see for yourself how awesome her work is!


Featured Digital Equine Artist



This wonderful artist can draw both stylized and realistic equine artwork effortlessly, and her gallery is gorgeous!


Featured Traditional Equine Artist



A wonderfully varied gallery awaits you when you check out the work by this talented artist!


Featured Equine Photographer



If you’re looking for exciting, motion-filled action shots, then this is the gallery for you!


Featured Equine Photomanipulator



This gallery has some truly beautiful and imaginative manipulations that will amaze you!


An Interview With...

<sub>Every issue of H.A, I will be interviewing one of your favourite equine artists! This issue, it is She has been a member of our equine community for nearly four years, and is a source of inspiration to many. Her artwork has progressed from Spirit-style to realism, and her OC, Pendrel, is one of the most recognized on dA. Rebecca has a deep connection with horses, and this shows in her beautiful artwork… she is a valued member of our community, and if you haven’t already met her, stop by to say hi!


Hello and thank you for joining us! Could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Rebecca Jonavic and I'm 26 years old. I currently live in Riverside, California with my boyfriend and a small zoo of animals. On top of running an art business (Four Dancing Horses Gallery), I also train horses and give riding lessons on the side.

Cool. How long have you been drawing horses for?
Oh wow...As long as I can remember. My mom still has the first horse drawing I ever did, and I believe that I was 3 or 4 at the time.

Wow, really? Can you tell us why you enjoy drawing them so much?
I have always been in love with horses, and I've been fortunate enough to have always been around them. There's just something about them that's just out of this world, and I've always wanted to be able to duplicate that magic. Plus, it was a substitute for when I couldn't ride...like when I was in school.

Do you have a particular way of drawing horses?
All of my drawings start out as a really rough skeleton, and I build up from there by using basic shapes and sketchy outlines. I've always found this a helpful way to get the pose the way you want it, and it's easier to change if you decide along the way that you don't like it.

Interesting. Can you share with us what your very favourite piece in your gallery is?

I'd have to say this one. It holds a really deep meaning for me because I created this during a really dark time in my life. And the meaning stills holds true to this day.

Looks amazing! Do you have an OC (original character)? Can you tell us a little about him/her?

Pendrel is a silver grulla Colonial Spanish mustang that I started drawing around 1985-ish. She's actually more than just an OC to me. She IS me, and she's also a representation of my beliefs and my connection to horses. The story of her birth is also parallel to mine. When I was born, my parents were wanting and expecting a boy...and they got me! Penny is also my business trademark.

That’s great. Is there any particular part of equine anatomy that you find difficult to draw?
I've always had an issue with getting the ears and hooves right. Sometimes I get them right the first time, and sometimes I redraw them about a dozen times before I'm satisfied!

Good to know we all have trouble, then! So what would be your favourite part of drawing?
I love drawing their manes and tails. The horse itself is a very dynamic animal, but it's their manes and tails that really make their movement pop.

Do you own any horses? If not, do you ride?
Sadly, I do not at the moment. I do, however, ride constantly as part of my job and schooling.

And do you have a favourite breed?
I have several! Mustangs of all kinds, Friesians, Tennessee Walking Horses, Andalusians, and the American Paint.

Awesome! You’ve been an inspiration to a number of budding equine artists out there – can you share some tips to those just starting out?
Study anatomy! Learning how the horse moves on the inside is a must when you're learning how the horse moves on the outside. Also, watching horses in action will not only give you a better understanding at how their body works, it will also help you with their coat, muscles, shading, highlighting, and how their hair moves.

Thank you for your time. Any last pieces of advice you can give to your fellow equine artists?
You are very welcome! It's been a honor to be interviewed. And the best bit of advice that I can give is this: Be patient with yourself and never stop trying new things. Every artist learns at their own speed, and no two will learn the same technique in the same way. Some pick up a technique instantly, some take a while to get it. And both is perfectly okay! Let yourself learn at a pace that works for you and don't get discouraged if you don't get it the first time. Like I've always said, even the greatest of artists started out by drawing stick figures.</sub>

Featured Equine Web Comic

_{There are many wonderful horse-related comics around dA, so if you have one, please let me know and I’ll feature it here!}

“Horsetastic” is a series of funny and colourful comics by the talented artist, If you haven’t already seen them, here’s some of my faves!


Themed Features

<sub>October’s theme: Pegasi.


October’s colour: Green.


October’s breed: Mustang.</sub>


Photography Corner

_{Showcasing some of the finest and most majestic images of equines from talented photographers and photo-manipulators around the world.}




Contests

There's always a contest or two going on in the equine community! I've listed a few of the current ones going on at the moment, and ones ending soon. Are you hosting a contest and want it advertised here? Let me know!


Theme: Design a mate. Read about it here: [link]
Closing Date: January 1st 2010


Theme: Halloween Costume Party. Read about it here: [link]
Closing Date: October 31st 2009


Theme: Three different themes for you to choose from! Read about them here: [link]
Closing Date: Extended. Check with deviant.


Theme: Design a unicorn character. Read about it here: [link]
Closing Date: Undecided. Check with deviant.


Help Desk

<sub>In this section you will find links to horse stock accounts and helpful tutorials.

Helpful Resources</sub>

Having trouble with a difficult pose? Stuck on how to draw from a certain perspective? Don’t fear! There are a number of wonderful stock accounts around dA with plenty of beautiful stock photos for you to reference. Always abide by the stock artist’s rules, and always remember to link back and credit the photo you use.



_{Helpful Tutorials}

Need help with drawing manes and tails? Can’t figure out how to colour in photoshop? Unsure how to shade? Then look no further! Here’s a collection of helpful tutorials for you to look at.