Capturing Carina - Custom Horse Portrait in Oils

Welcome to our latest blog post about Capturing Carina – Custom Horse Portrait in Oils by Nicholas Beall. We are thrilled to share the story behind Carina’s oil painting, a commission by Gayle from California. Carina, a beautiful Mustang mare, has a remarkable journey from the wild landscapes of Nevada to becoming a beloved lesson horse. Gayle wanted a painting that captured her soft eyes, unique fleabitten coat and gentle nature. We were honoured to bring her vision to life.

The Commission and Carina’s Story

Gayle first reached out to us after months of searching for the perfect artist to paint Carina’s portrait. She was drawn to the realism in our dog portraits and knew she had found the right artists. Carina’s story is extraordinary. Captured as a young wild Mustang and later adopted, she now resides in a rustic old yellow barn with six other horses, sharing her sweet and curious personality with everyone she meets.

Carina’s distinguishing features include her speckled face, soft ears and also the warmth in her eyes. One detail that was particularly important to Gayle was the Mustang brand on Carina’s neck. This is as a marking that tells the story of her origins. Although her mane and coat have changed over time, Gayle provided various reference photos to ensure we could capture the essence of her beloved horse exactly as she sees her today.

The Portrait Process

The photo below shows Nicholas first initial stage on Carina’s 24 x 18 inch oil painting. As per usual he draws out the initial lines of the subject and then paints over them in sepia. He then creates washes over the painting to knock back the white of the canvas. Nicholas stands to paint so he is eye level with the canvas. This also helps him to work on the painting as a whole and is able to judge tones in the various areas across the piece.

Capturing Carina – Custom Horse Portrait in Oils

The next stage shows how Nicholas has painted the background along with some of Carina. The background was carefully chosen to complement Carina’s natural tones. This ensured the portrait had depth while keeping the focus entirely on her. Nicholas is layering Carina’s light fur to create rich textures in her coat. Her eye is now in place, already capturing the softness of her expression.

Capturing Carina in progress photo of the painting by Nicholas Beall

The stage below is no where near finished, however you can see the oil painting of Carina is coming together beautifully. This stage Nicholas is still judging the tones and hues between each other. This makes sure they all marry together well and no area is vying for attention. It needs to all look and feel as one.

Another photo of the painting in progress..

The Final Portrait

Here is the final portrait. Nicholas has created a stunning painting for Gayle and I hope that you like the outcome.

The close-up images showcase Nicholas’s precision, particularly in capturing the fine hairs around her muzzle. They all work to capture Carina perfectly.

Capturing Carina close up muzzle with Nicholas's hand and paint brush

These intricate details bring Carina’s personality to life on canvas, preserving her story forever.

Here is a close up of Carina’s eye and we hope the sweet natured, gentle Mustang she is.

Ensuring Safe Delivery

Once Carina’s portrait was complete, we carefully packed it in a high-quality presentation box. We tied a beautiful ribbon around the portrait for an elegant touch. To ensure its safe journey to California, we wrapped it in multiple layers of protective foam and secured it inside a sturdy, double-walled cardboard box. We take great care with our packaging, using trusted couriers like DHL or Parcelforce to deliver our artwork safely to its new home.

Portrait all packed and ready to send to our client in the USA

The Painting Arrived!

When the completed painting arrived in California, Gayle was overjoyed. She placed it in a temporary spot while waiting for a custom frame, sharing a beautiful photo of Carina’s portrait displayed in her home. Gayle wrote this once the painting arrived –

“I am over the moon thrilled with the painting of my Carina. The detail of her forelocks, her sweet soft eyes, her flea bitten facial features are outstanding. Her gentle soul and loving look are priceless. I cannot believe my luck in finding your site! Everything about the process from start to finish was seamless and enjoyable. This is where she will be as soon as framing is done. Thank both so much for one of the most exciting experiences of my life!!”

Commissioning Your Own Horse Portrait

If you’re looking for a beautifully hand painted oil portrait of your horse, we would love to create a portrait similar to Carina for you and your family. We tailor each commission to capture your horse’s unique character and presence, creating a truly personal and lifelike representation. Why not also visit our Horse Portrait Gallery to explore more of our work. Or get in touch to discuss your own custom portrait.