How to Paint a Realistic Horse in Watercolor

Have you been yearning to paint a realistic horse in watercolor? Here’s how to do it!

This post provides a step by step look at the process I used to paint this Tennessee Walking Horse in watercolor.

Scroll lower to see video excerpts taken directly from the course in my Online School.

Thanks to Karen Broemmelsick for the reference photo, and I hope you enjoy and learn from this short tutorial.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments!

Learn to paint this horse in watercolor!

Get the drawing, materials list, and reference photo when you visit my Online School.

Step 1: Create the Eye

Establishing the eye early in the painting makes the subject come alive! Use thin layers of yellow, brown, grey, and black to create this deep, rich eye.

 

Step 2: First Layer of Color

First, the groundwork will be created – the shapes and colors underneath the hair markings to come.

Create the shapes that will be darkest in value, establishing the beginnings of bone structure and shadow. By the end of this step, a pale map of the darker shapes will be in place, serving as a helpful guide as you work through the painting.

Work on one shape at a time, focusing on the darkest parts. These dark shapes will eventually become dark brown or grey when further layers of brown are applied.

Step 3: Next Layer of Color

In this layer of color, we’ll create the beginnings of the  brown, grey, and black shapes. Break the subject down into smaller sections, working on one area at a time, applying thin layers of color so it’s easy to soften edges.

When all of the shapes are in place, appy a thin glaze of brown to unify everything and slightly smooth textures.

Step 4: Bridle, Hair, Ears

Establish the first layers of color in the bridle with a pale blue, followed by the first brown of the ears.

Use thin layers of brown to reinforce areas that are reddish-brown or dark brown.

Create the textures in the mane.

Step 5: Going Darker 

We’ll take the browns darker in value, using thin layers of color so you can easily soften the edges. First, focus on the darker shapes, then the mid tones (in between darkest and lightest values.)

Then, another glaze of brown is applied to slightly smooth textures and unify values.

Step 6: Refine Bridle, Nose, Mouth

Refine the blues of the bridle, followed by the buckles. 

Make refinements to head and neck, reinforcing darkest parts, applying mid tones, and applying glazes where needed.

Make refinements to color and value in nose and mouth.

Step 7: Final Details

Make final adjustments to color, value, and texture. Take areas darker where needed. Create smoother transitions in value using mid tones. Refine the hair, bridle, and eye. Add a layer of yellow to brighten parts of the brown.

I hope this brief overview has been helpful to you!

If you would like to see more tutorials like this in real time video, I invite you to visit my online school, and be sure to check out the free course!

Questions? I invite you to comment below!

Learn More

• Visit the online school
• Full Horse Tutorial in Real Time
• Free Course: How to Paint a Dog’s Eye in Watercolor
• Tour of School
• See All Courses in School
• Answers to Questions About the School
• Join our Facebook Group, Realistic Animals in Watercolor – This is a free, closed group for all enrolled members of the school. All you have to do is enroll in the school.