My drawing looks funny with the shadow line across her face, doesn't it? My fashion illustrator background has really come in  handy with this one. I wanted you to see the photo I am referencing for this piece, so you can see that I changed her arm and decided to leave out the reins. The reason for this is that my next painting in the series is the same girl from the backside of this same pose, but I don't want it to look too much like it. Also, I like to work from same size images. It's much faster for drawing if I don't have to worry about enlarging from a small photo.
                                                       Faye Taylor - Western Artist

As you noticed, I changed the name to "Tough Enough" because I put a pink shirt on her. I like the way it turned out, but looking forward to the next one.
                                                         Faye Taylor - Western Artist

The basic figure is done, except for some fine tuning. I have to lay in the background before doing the rope and fringe. I like the pale pink shirt with the pale blue jeans. I'm not happy with the lower legs yet and plan to make some changes, but need it to dry a little first.
                                                             Faye Taylor - Western Artist

Well, it's time to give the girls their due. This cowgirl was actually wearing full length chaps, but I'm changing them to shorter chinks so I get more fringe movement. Again, I'm looking for a title. I am doing a series of three and my model is the same for each, but I'm thinking of doing a blond, brunette and redhead and changing the clothing. I could simply call them "The Blond," "The Brunette," "The Redhead." What do you think?
                                                           Faye Taylor - Western Artist

Here is the finished work. In spite of the tediousness of detail in tack and fringe, the outcome was well worth it to me. You might have noticed that I paint a lot of faces turned away or in shadow. And if I do paint a face, it's usually stereotypical. There's a couple of reasons for this, which you may have guessed already. One reason is that if I paint a recognizable person, I need to have a model release or they can sue me for painting them without permission. However, the main reason is that viewers need to connect with the art, so I like them to be able to say, "That looks like Joe when he was young," or "That reminds me of my brother."

It's all about connecting with the viewer--the more they connect, the more likely they will find a place in their home for it.
                                                                Faye Taylor - Western Artist

I worked on fringe on the front leg and some straps the rope reins. Still have more straps, fringe on the back leg, boots and foreground grasses to do. Then...it's done! This one really feels like one of my best and I hope you all think so too.
                                                                                     Faye Taylor - Western Artist

I lightened the chaps and started adding fringe. Also, worked on the jeans some more as well as tightened up some other areas. Yes, I finally tackled my nemesis, the rope. I think I have finally achieved a technique for it...at least for a coiled rope. Still have a lot of painting to do, but hope to get her done in the next couple of days.
                                                                              Faye Taylor - Western Artist

I came a long way today in spite of a bazillion phone calls, but I still have a long ways to go. As some of my regular blog followers know, my least favorite part is coming up...the rope. If I keep at it though, I should start feeling more comfortable with it. My favorite part of this drawing so far is his left hand. I love drawing and painting hands! I also like that his face is turned away, leaving the viewer an ability to identify with him. He could be their brother or nephew or anybody. It's not that I don't like painting faces, I've done a lot of portraits, it's that I want every viewer to be able to connect.
                                                                                  Faye Taylor - Western Artist

Of course like always, start with darks first. I did some work on the saddle, but it's not done yet. I used a #6 filbert brush for everything so far and probably won't downsize it much. There will be grasses in the foreground and around the feet area, with some mid-tone in the middle background, blending to a very pale blue at the top. Notice the "S" curve of my subject--a very fluid and appealing shape.
                                                                               Faye Taylor - Western Painter

This young cowboy had been participating in ranch style bronc riding, which simply means he was using his own work saddle rather than a special style bronc saddle. I don't know if he made his ride or not, but he looks a little down on himself the way he's holding his head down. What I loved about this photo is the way his fringe dances with motion as he walks. This is a large painting 16X32 and will likely take me some time to complete.
                                                                                                  Faye Taylor - Western Artist