When I began this project I made the decision that I was going to start by observing thoroughly the horse's head and then work my way across the whole body. The head alone is extremely complex and I haven't even started looking at the muscles yet.

Today I've been looking at how the skull fits within the contours of the horse's head so that when I'm drawing or painting I can visualise where everything is. The more I study the head the more I'm starting to understand what I'm seeing on the outside when I draw it. It's actually beginning to make more sense. All the undulations I see on the surface I now have some idea of what is causing them to appear. I'm finding it absolutely fascinating. 

You've probably noticed that I've been working a lot in pencil recently. Well, that's because I've been using my new Staedtler Mars Lumograph, Black pencils 🤩 I've been eyeing them up for a while and finally gave in and bought some. They're so gorgeous to use. It's difficult to see on the photos but unlike standard graphite pencils these ones contain a high proportion of carbon which gives a deep, matt black appearance. The HB feels like you're using a normal 6B pencil. They feel chunkier somehow but smoother to sketch with. I usually use Staedtler's Mars Lumograph's for my commission work as they feel lighter and are ideal for finer work. 

Over the coming days and weeks I'll be alternating more between the anatomical studies I've currently been working on and my expressive mixed media work, to see how what I'm learning will inform my paintings.