A Day in the Studio: My Creative Process
Welcome to my studio! Ever wonder what a day looks like for a horse pencil artist? Today, I’m giving you an insider’s look at my creative process. From the first sip of coffee to putting more pencil strokes on a drawing, this is how my day may unfold as I bring horses to life on paper. Of course every day is different, but on average this is what it looks like.
Morning Rituals (more like evening rituals): Getting into the Creative Zone
My creative day often starts in the evening rather than the morning. After tackling freelance work, spending time with my horse and then house tasks, I like to sort of reboot my day so that I can get ready for the art business part of the day.
Sometimes it's a cup of coffee or a quick walk, but it's all about resetting after the day's tasks. By the time 7 pm hits, I'm ready to settle into any computer related tasks for the studio. Later in the evenings is when I dive into art, focusing without distractions.
Starting with Reference Images and Deciding on the Composition
My process begins by selecting the right reference image, often using my own thumbnail sketches and previous drawings. These quick sketches help me visualize the final composition before fully committing to it. I take time to decide on the best angle, posture, and lighting, ensuring that the horse’s form and the background elements complement each other. Composition is key, as it sets the mood and flow of the drawing.
Here’s an example of one of my thumbnail sketches: 
Light Sketching Techniques I Use to Outline the Horse’s Form
With the composition set, I move to light sketching. I start by outlining the horse’s form with soft, loose strokes or sometimes just a line that shows the flow of movement, building from there.
The initial sketch is probably one of the most important steps because it acts as a guide for the entire drawing. Using my own thumbnails and quick reference drawings ensures I have a strong foundation to work with. If the sketch is off, it can impact the final outcome, so it’s vital that I get the proportions and lines just right.
Developing the Drawing: Adding Depth and Detail
Once the initial sketch is done, I start adding depth and detail by using different grades of pencils. I use both hard (lighter) and soft pencils for shading, but I always try to work lightly to avoid mistakes that would require starting over. For darker areas, like under the horse’s muscles or in deep shadows, layering is key to gradually building up the depth.
Derwent graphite pencils are some of my favorite pencils to use!
Mid-Evening Breaks: Finding Balance Between Work and Rest
As a night owl, mid-evening breaks are my little oasis. After wrapping up my daily chores and settling into my creative zone, I find that stepping away from my drawing is still essential for gaining a fresh perspective. The stillness of the evening offers the perfect backdrop for reflection, allowing me to see my work with new eyes and ignite fresh ideas. I’ll watch a short video, or just spend some time with the cats before going back to work in the studio.
Final Touches: Perfecting the Drawing
After I feel like my drawing is done, I like to let it sit for a day or two. Then I look at it again, and if any adjustment needs to be made, I do that then. If I do make alterations to it, I let it sit another day or so again before looking at it with fresh eyes. Then I spray it with fixative to protect it.
This is a print of one of my original drawings.
Wrapping Up the Day: Reflection and Clean-Up
As the night winds down and the world around me is still quiet, I find it’s the perfect time for reflection and clean-up. After hours of drawing or working on art related things, I take a moment to step back and review what I’ve created. This is when I evaluate the progress I’ve made, noting what worked well and what didn’t.
Sometimes, when I step back after a late-night drawing session, I’m pretty happy with what I’ve created. But when I return to it the next evening, I take a moment to reassess the work with fresh eyes. I consider how it looks and what still needs attention before returning to the drawing.
Once I’ve gathered my thoughts, I turn my attention to tidying up my workspace. I like to have a clean slate to start work with next time I work in the studio. Plus the cats sometimes like to check things out so I always try to put my things away.
I then usually make some quick notes on what needs to be done the next day, because by this time it’s very late (or early, depending on your perspective). I like to relax by watching a bit of my favorite TV shows, before finally calling it a night.
In summary:
That’s about a typical day in my art studio! Every day brings new challenges and inspirations, so no day really looks the same. Some days are more admin work then creating artwork but it’s all part of running an art business. If you’re curious to see more behind-the-scenes glimpses, be sure to check out more of my blog and newsletter for more insights into my creative process!