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Colin Bradley School of Art

Have you ever wished you could draw?

Would you love to be able to draw AMAZING pictures you never thought possible?

With this course you'll learn to draw 3 amazing horse pictures by following our easy step by step videos.

Pick up and Learn

In my 30+ Years of Experience I have found that Pastel Pencils is the by far the easiest art medium to pick up and learn.

In this course you will learn how to draw 4 horse pictures:

  • White Horse Portrait

  • Chestnut Horse Portrait

  • Horse and Foal Landscape

  • Five Horse Landscape

Read more

Have you ever wished you could draw?

Would you love to be able to draw AMAZING pictures you never thought possible?

With this course you'll learn to draw 3 amazing horse pictures by following our easy step by step videos.

Pick up and Learn

In my 30+ Years of Experience I have found that Pastel Pencils is the by far the easiest art medium to pick up and learn.

In this course you will learn how to draw 4 horse pictures:

  • White Horse Portrait

  • Chestnut Horse Portrait

  • Horse and Foal Landscape

  • Five Horse Landscape

When you have finished this course not only will you walk away with 3 incredible paintings but you will also be able to apply what you have learnt to draw your own pictures.

Materials

For all pictures I use Sand Coloured Fabriano Ingres Paper, this is a great neutral tone and works so well for all kinds of subjects. It is ideal for someone fairly new to pastel pencil work as you can erase so easily on the paper. I also use Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils and refer to these throughout the course. You can of course use any materials that you wish to use.

I would recommend this course for intermediate level artists. Perhaps you have tried my free courses and want to venture into the next level up or have already used Pastel Pencils before.

If you are just starting out with pastel pencils let me not discourage you from giving this subject a go, you will certainly learn a lot from the lessons and hopefully enjoy it as you do.

I provide you with an outline drawing for each subject so that you do not have to draw free hand. Trace this through to your paper or print it straight out using your printer.

I walk you through step by step with Video instruction how to draw each stage. You'll learn techniques behind drawing beautiful horse pictures and create pictures you can be proud of.

I have broken the course down into bitesize chunks that you can follow and return to with ease.

If you love drawing and want to discover easy techniques to create stunning art that you can transfer to your own pictures then this course is for you.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Please see the Article for the introduction to the pencils and materials recommended for this course.

In this general introduction video I talk about the basic materials - the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils, colour shaper, double ended eraser and sharpening your pencils.

I show the Fabriano Ingres Paper that is used for the courses.

I also show how to transfer our line drawing onto your pastel paper using a Tracedown Carbon.

Read more

In this video I show you the brands of pencils and paper that I work with. In this course we use the Ingres and Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils.

We are not allowed to provide direct links to purchase the materials however you can find the materials on either our store ("Colin Bradley Art Store") or Amazon.

Pastel Pencils used for each project:

White Horse Portrait

Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils

  • 101 white

  • 103 ivory

  • 230 cold grey I

  • 233 cold grey IV

  • 132 light flesh

  • 131 medium flesh

  • 183 light yellow ochre

  • 182 brown ochre

  • 283 burnt siena

  • 169 caput mortum

  • 192 indian red

  • 186 terracotta

  • 177 walnut brown

  • 175 dark sepia

  • 149 bluish turquoise

  • 181 payne's grey

  • 199 black

Chestnut Horse Portrait

Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils

  • 101 white

  • 103 ivory

  • 188 sanguine

  • 186 terracotta

  • 187 burnt ochre

  • 283 burnt siena

  • 177 walnut brown

  • 169 caput mortum

  • 182 brown ochre

  • 132 light flesh

  • 172 earth green

  • 174 chrome green opaque

  • 270 warm grey I

  • 273 warm grey IV

  • 230 cold grey I

  • 233 cold grey IV

  • 153 cobalt turquoise

  • 181 payne's grey

  • 199 black

Horse and Foal

Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils

  • 101 white

  • 270 warm grey I

  • 273 warm grey IV

  • 187 burnt ochre

  • 175 dark sepia

  • 199 black

  • 283 burnt siena

  • 177 walnut brown

  • 192 indian red

  • 103 ivory

  • 182 brown ochre

  • 172 earth green

  • 167 permanent green olive

  • 174 chrome green opaque

  • 168 earth green yellowish

  • 170 may green

  • 169 caput mortum

  • 140 light ultramarine

  • 143 cobalt blue

  • 151 helioblue-reddish

  • 230 cold grey I

  • 233 cold grey IV

  • 181 payne's grey

Five Horse Landscape

Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils

  • 101 white

  • 103 ivory

  • 102 cream

  • 184 dark naples ochre

  • 182 brown ochre

  • 109 dark chrome yellow

  • 186 terracotta

  • 187 burnt ochre

  • 188 sanguine

  • 283 burnt siena

  • 132 light flesh

  • 131 medium flesh

  • 189 cinnamon

  • 169 caput mortum

  • 104 light yellow glaze

  • 170 may green

  • 106 light yellow chrome

  • 174 chrome green opaque

  • 165 juniper green

  • 168 earth green yellowish

  • 230 cold grey I

  • 233 cold grey Iv

  • 175 dark sepia

  • 181 payne's grey

  • 157 dark indigo

  • 199 black

This is Part 1 of the course. I have included the outline drawing and my finished picture in the resources section (indicated by the folder icon if viewing on a computer). There is a PDF and JPG version of the outline drawing.

Here is the next part of the course. If you have any questions please let us know.

Here is the final part of the course. If you have any questions please let us know.

We hope that you have enjoyed this course and have learnt pastel pencil techniques that you can translate to your own pictures and artwork.

If you would like to share your artwork with us or get in touch please drop us a message in the Q & A section or via the Udemy messaging tools. We would love to hear from you.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils, which are known for their high quality and vibrant colors, making them a popular choice among artists
Employs Sand Coloured Fabriano Ingres Paper, which is ideal for pastel work due to its ability to allow for easy erasing and its neutral tone
Provides outline drawings for each subject, which allows learners to focus on shading and color techniques rather than freehand drawing
Requires specific materials such as Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils and Fabriano Ingres Paper, which may require additional investment beyond the course fee
Recommends specific brands of pencils and paper, but does not provide direct links to purchase them, which may require learners to conduct their own research

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Reviews summary

Learn to draw horses with pastels

According to learners, this course is a highly recommended step-by-step guide to drawing horses using pastel pencils. Students consistently praise the easy-to-follow instructions and well-explained techniques taught by an excellent instructor. The course projects enable students to produce amazing and beautiful artwork, leading many to feel proud of their accomplishments and state they learned so much. While one reviewer noted a minor point about the organization of material lists, the overwhelming feedback highlights the great structure and rewarding experience. This course is seen as helpful for both beginners and intermediate artists looking to develop their skills in this medium.
Tutor is supportive and knowledgeable.
"Excellent tutor"
"instructor supportive and helpful"
"Colin's explanations are easy to understand and follow."
Create beautiful finished drawings.
"produces amazing results"
"produces fantastic artwork"
"can produce beautiful results"
"I'm really proud of the pictures I created!"
"Ended up with stunning results I didn't think were possible."
Instructions are easy to follow.
"easy step by step guidance"
"Easy to follow steps"
"so well explained and easy to follow"
"Colin's method makes complex drawing manageable..."
Resource list could be better organized.
"wish there was a list of colours by project in the resources section"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How To Draw Horses Step by Step - 4 Subjects in 1 Course with these activities:
Practice Basic Sketching Techniques
Reviewing fundamental sketching techniques will help you create better underdrawings for your pastel horse portraits.
Browse courses on Sketching
Show steps
  • Practice drawing basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles.
  • Work on line control by drawing straight and curved lines.
  • Try gesture drawing to capture the essence of a subject quickly.
Read 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'
Reading this book will improve your observational skills and help you draw more accurately.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'.
  • Work through the exercises in the book, focusing on perceptual skills.
  • Apply the techniques learned to drawing horses.
Practice Shading Techniques
Practicing shading techniques will help you create realistic forms and textures in your horse drawings.
Show steps
  • Practice different shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and blending.
  • Experiment with different pastel pencils to achieve various shading effects.
  • Apply shading to simple forms like spheres and cubes.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Color Chart for Pastel Pencils
Creating a color chart will help you understand the range of colors available in your pastel pencil set and how they blend together.
Show steps
  • Gather all your pastel pencils.
  • Create a grid on a piece of paper.
  • Fill each square with a different pastel pencil color, labeling each one.
  • Experiment with blending colors in some of the squares.
Explore 'Horses: A Handbook for Artists'
Studying horse anatomy will help you draw more realistic and convincing horse portraits.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Horses: A Handbook for Artists'.
  • Study the anatomical diagrams and explanations in the book.
  • Practice drawing horses using the anatomical knowledge gained.
Draw Horses from Life or Photographs
Drawing horses from life or photographs will help you improve your observational skills and understand horse anatomy and movement.
Show steps
  • Find reference photos of horses or, if possible, draw from life.
  • Start with a basic sketch to capture the overall pose and proportions.
  • Add details and shading to create a realistic drawing.
Share Your Artwork and Provide Feedback
Sharing your artwork and providing feedback to others will reinforce your learning and help you see your own work in a new light.
Show steps
  • Share your horse drawings on online art forums or social media.
  • Provide constructive feedback to other artists on their horse drawings.
  • Ask for feedback on your own work.

Career center

Learners who complete How To Draw Horses Step by Step - 4 Subjects in 1 Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Illustrator
As an Illustrator, you create images for various media, such as books, magazines, and websites. This role often involves drawing animals or nature scenes. This course helps you develop skills in drawing horses, covering techniques for different poses and settings, using pastel pencils. The step-by-step video instructions break down complex drawings, while learning to use the Fabriano Ingres Paper and Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils can help you create detailed and realistic horse illustrations. Aspiring Illustrators should take this course to expand their artistic abilities.
Tattoo Artist
Tattoo Artists create permanent designs on clients' skin using needles and ink. This course on drawing horses helps Tattoo Artists refine their ability to accurately depict these animals in tattoos. The step-by-step video instruction and focus on capturing the nuances of horse anatomy help you create more detailed and realistic tattoos. Aspiring Tattoo Artists should take this course to enhance their drawing skills and expand their portfolio with horse-themed designs.
Commercial Artist
A Commercial Artist creates visual materials for advertising and marketing campaigns. This course on drawing horses may be useful for Commercial Artists working on projects that require equine imagery. The skills learned in this course can be applied to create illustrations for advertisements, brochures, websites, and other marketing materials. The step-by-step video instruction and focus on pastel pencils help you create detailed and visually appealing horse illustrations that can enhance the effectiveness of commercial campaigns.
Wildlife Artist
A Wildlife Artist specializes in creating art that depicts animals in their natural habitats. This course is particularly relevant as it focuses exclusively on drawing horses, helping Wildlife Artists refine their ability to accurately and artistically portray these animals. The step-by-step instruction and focus on pastel pencils help you master techniques for capturing the nuances of horse anatomy and movement. By understanding how to create realistic horse portraits and landscapes, a Wildlife Artist can enhance the appeal and accuracy of their work. This course may be useful in helping you with the foundations of wildlife art.
Art teacher
An Art Teacher instructs students in various art techniques and concepts. If you want to teach drawing, painting, or other visual arts, then this course on drawing horses will help you better teach your future students. The course's step-by-step approach helps you explain drawing concepts in a clear and structured manner. The focus on pastel pencils provides a specific medium to explore. This course helps build a solid foundation in drawing horses, an engaging subject matter for students of all ages.
Muralist
A Muralist creates large-scale artwork directly on walls or other surfaces. This course may be useful for Muralists interested in incorporating horses into their murals, as it provides step-by-step instruction on drawing these animals. The course covers techniques for creating detailed horse portraits and landscapes, skills that can be translated to larger mural projects. By mastering the art of drawing horses, Muralists can add a unique and eye-catching element to their artwork.
Fine Artist
As a Fine Artist, you create original artwork for aesthetic purposes, often displayed in galleries or private collections. This course offers the opportunity to develop your technical skills in drawing, particularly focusing on horses, which can be a compelling subject for fine art. The use of pastel pencils, as taught in this course, can add a unique texture and depth to your artwork. The course emphasizes a step-by-step approach, that helps you master the techniques required to create detailed and expressive horse portraits and landscapes. This course may be useful in understanding the finer points of art.
Scientific Illustrator
Scientific Illustrators create accurate and detailed illustrations of scientific subjects for publications and educational materials. This course may be useful for Scientific Illustrators who need to depict horses or other animals in their work. The step-by-step instruction and focus on capturing the nuances of animal anatomy help you create accurate drawings for scientific purposes. Scientific Illustrators typically need a strong background in both art and science.
Animator
Animators create moving images for various media, such as films, television shows, and video games. A strong understanding of animal anatomy is crucial. This course on drawing horses enhances an Animator's ability to accurately depict these animals in motion. The step-by-step video instruction and focus on capturing the nuances of horse anatomy help you create more realistic and believable animations. This course may be useful in the fundamentals of your animation.
Game Artist
Game Artists create the visual elements of video games, including characters, environments, and objects. This course focused on drawing horses can be particularly useful for Game Artists needing to create realistic or stylized horses for their games. The course content may provide Game Artists with the skills to draw horses in various poses and settings, while the step-by-step approach may help in efficiently creating detailed game assets. Aspiring Game Artists should take this course to enhance their artistic capabilities.
Concept Artist
A Concept Artist creates visual representations of ideas for use in films, video games, and other media. As a Concept Artist, you might be tasked with creating visuals of horses or creatures in environments. This course provides you with the skills to confidently draw horses in a variety of poses and settings. Furthermore, the course's approach to breaking down scenes into manageable steps helps you develop a structured method for creating complex visual concepts. This course may be useful in improving your ability to quickly and accurately sketch horses and other animals.
Art Director
An Art Director is responsible for the overall visual style and images of various projects, such as magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and film and television productions. While an Art Director may not personally create the artwork, a strong understanding of drawing and artistic techniques is valuable. This course may help Art Directors to better communicate their vision to artists and designers. Learning the specific techniques for drawing horses may provide a unique perspective when directing projects that involve these animals.
Textile Designer
Textile Designers create patterns and designs for fabrics used in clothing, upholstery, and other products. This course on drawing horses may inspire the creation of unique and visually appealing textile designs. The ability to accurately draw horses can provide Textile Designers with a distinctive subject matter, and the techniques learned in the course may help translate these drawings into repeating patterns or larger fabric prints. This course may be useful in finding inspiration.
Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technicians assist veterinarians in providing medical care to animals. While not directly related to art, developing strong observation skills through drawing can enhance a Veterinary Technician's ability to notice subtle changes in an animal’s physical condition. This course helps improve your observational skills and attention to detail. By learning to accurately represent horses through drawing, Veterinary Technicians can cultivate a greater awareness of animal anatomy and posture. This course may be useful in your overall understanding of animals.
Medical Illustrator
Medical Illustrators create illustrations for textbooks, medical journals, and patient education materials. Though seemingly unrelated, the precision and attention to detail developed through art training is invaluable in medical illustration. This course may help you hone your skills in accurate representation and attention to detail. While the subject matter is not directly related to human anatomy, the fundamental drawing techniques can be applied to medical illustration. Medical Illustrators typically require an advanced degree.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How To Draw Horses Step by Step - 4 Subjects in 1 Course.
Provides a detailed anatomical study of horses, which is essential for drawing them accurately. It covers skeletal structure, musculature, and proportions. It is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Teaches you how to draw what you actually see, rather than what you think you see. It focuses on perceptual skills that are essential for realistic drawing. It useful resource for improving your overall drawing ability, which will translate to better horse portraits. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

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