Welcome to our latest post about our Hand Painted Appaloosa Horse Portrait in Oils. Nicholas was recently commissioned to create a custom oil painting of a beautiful horse named Henry (competition name Spotlight), as a very special surprise for a 16th birthday. Craig emailed us to see if we could complete the painting in time for the big day. We were delighted to take on the project. Nicholas thoroughly enjoyed capturing Henry’s character and also his unique Appaloosa markings in oils.
The Painting
Nicholas hand painted this detailed oil portrait of Henry on traditional fine Italian linen canvas. The painting captures Henry’s gentle expression and stunning coat pattern, with soft, natural lighting to complement his markings. We also kept the background neutral to help Henry stand out and be the full focus of the scene.
The Framed Portrait
We framed the portrait in a softly distressed ivory and gold swept frame. A perfect match for the tones in Henry’s coat. It also enhances the elegance of the artwork without drawing attention away from the horse himself.
The Special Moment
Craig kindly sent us this wonderful photo of his daughter with her portrait of Henry. Taken early in the morning, just after opening the gift!
“Yes, it was a lovely surprise for her and she was delighted with the painting. It is stunning and captures Henry perfectly. How wonderful to be so talented! Thank you so much for everything, and for completing it within the tight time-frame. We are very happy!”
About the Appaloosa Breed
Henry is a stunning example of the Appaloosa, a breed known for its distinctive spotted coat patterns. People love Appaloosas not just for their amazing spotted coats, but also for how smart, gentle, and versatile they are — they’re great in all kinds of riding disciplines.
Henry’s coat features the classic “leopard” pattern. A white base with clearly defined dark spots across his body. Each Appaloosa’s markings are completely unique, which made capturing Henry’s likeness in oils a real treat. Nicholas carefully studied the subtle shifts in his coat and expression to ensure the portrait reflected both his appearance and personality.
Want to Commission a Horse Portrait?
If you’d like to commission a portrait of your own horse or pony, you can visit our Horse Oil Portraits Gallery to view more examples. You can also read more about this commission on our blog. Hand Painted Horse Portrait – Custom Oil Painting Commission Finally, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time if you would like a portrait of your horse.
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