Andrew Miles and Kauto Star Andrew at work on Kauto Star which will be ready at the start of February. "Kauto Star is coming along beautifully and I am enjoying every aspect of it.... I've been doing some research into thoroughbred horses so as to learn more about their anatomy. I want this painting to be one of my very best and I think it will be just that."   "I have attached two photos showing the latest stage of the
painting. Please bear in mind that this is only what I call the
"undercoat". Almost all of the painting will be repainted, to bring out
details, contrasts and correct colour (Kauto, for example, will be a
richer brown and there will be more detail in Ruby's face). So this is
still a relatively early and rough stage. When the painting is finished
it will look very real and "jump out at you". I'm actually reluctant to show unfinished work but I wanted to
honour the request, so you can see what has been achieved so far. I
will probably photograph a couple more stages before completion."
 "Work has progressed well regarding the background and foreground.
Kauto Star and Ruby still remain in their original first draft and are
far from being finished. The anatomy of the horse is only crudely
painted at this stage but the general proportions of the composition
are firmly established. Now that the entire surface of the canvas is
painted, it is easier to work out the required contrasts and colour
balances. For example Kauto's proper colour will be a richer brown,
highlighted by the overcast sky (there is no strong sunlight or
shadows). Ruby's leather boots will also be polished up and his silks
made more delicate. Beside there being a wealth of textural effects,
this painting is a great challenge because of the sense of movement.
Horse and jockey in perfect harmony, captured in a moment of oneness as
they fly through space. Among the thousands of paintings I have
created, this one canvas is well on its way as being my very best."  "I have attached this photo showing the latest stage of the painting. Apart from various refinements of small details, all that remains to finish the work is a final transparent glaze, which is a kind of varnish. This evens out the surface reflectivity of the canvas and deepens the contrast of colours. I I will try to get a better photo of the finished painting sometime soon under the proper lighting conditions. It has been a great pleasure to create this piece of work and I am very proud of it. As they materialised in my studio, I feel like I have made friends with Kauto Star and Ruby."  "Today I finished the painting of Kauto Star and Ruby Walsh,
meaning I applied a finishing transparent coat. As you can see the application of this brings out the depth and
richness of the colours. The third photo shows the finished painting.
It was difficult to get an acceptable photograph because the surface of
the canvas was wet and therefore shiny, although
no photograph does a painting justice. In reality the painting is
dynamic and full of rich colours and strong contrasts. Right from the start I knew this painting was going to be a
winner. Compositionally it has a very dramatic effect. This is helped
by the horizontal aspects of the distant countryside, the fence, the
advertising board and the strip of grass, all of which contrast with
the vertical structures presented by Kauto's forelimbs, neck and head,
with Ruby's body also emphasising more vertical elements. I
particularly like the way both horse and jockey seem to be floating in
space.The tonality of the painting (meaning areas of light and dark)
are also interesting and very well balanced. One way to view the
tonality of a painting is to have a black and white photograph taken of
it. This often reveals some very interesting patterns.Also in a
successful painting the background and other areas are often very
important in bringing out the main subject and I think this is
particularly relevant with this work. It's been a special pleasure to
have the opportunity to create this painting and I am very proud of it." |