With grateful thanks to John Tyrell for allowing me to use his image - visit big time media for more horse images and for more information.This prime specimen is called Roli and he's just beautiful.

As you can see I have worked in layers putting down the lighter colours first and then going over each area with progressively darker shades building up depth. I do area by area rather than laying each colour down all over the portrait, this helps me see I'm on the right track for final colours and shape of the subject. I have also made a start on the bridle, which is the first time I have ever really studied one and it does seem to be very complicated!

Things have moved on at a steady rate of knots, I have got the basics of Roli's face down now and he is starting to look quite good. I have worked on the eye area and further down his nose. I'm a bit jealous of Roli's owners, he is such a beauty, I'm quite taken with him.... now do I have room in my garden for one!!!   See more work by pet portrait artist in the galleries

I have worked further on this portrait completing the head in the main and by beginning to put in a background. In keeping with the original image, I felt the original was just superb so needed no alterations and using black pastel and charcoal began shading around the head so I could see I was heading in the right direction. I had used a very pale pencil to highlight around the edge of Roli's face on the right side of the portrait and this only began showing up in contrast to the black background giving the portrait a more realistic quality.

I have completely added in the black pastel and charcoal background now. I used a fine charcoal pencil to outline the edge  and then used a black pastel stick to fill in the surrounding areas. Already Roli looks pretty recognisable, now it's just the neck to do.