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“Horse Prairie Roundup” – A pastel painting inspired by a real cattle drive in Montana, based on a reference photo taken by a photographer friend.
Telling a Visual Story: My Process with Reference Photos
Every piece of art begins with a spark—a feeling, a memory, or a scene that stops me in my tracks. But once that inspiration hits, it’s the reference photo that helps me turn that feeling into a tangible painting. In Part 3 of this series, I’m sharing how I select and work with photo references, and how I use them not just for accuracy, but for storytelling.
I’m always on the lookout for images that carry a certain emotion or story—something real. Sometimes I take the photos myself, and other times I work with photographers who capture moments I could never stage. Creating Western-themed artwork in pastel pencils means more than just capturing a horse or a cowboy—it means capturing a moment.
"Horse Prairie Roundup" Pastel Painting
For my “example” piece “Horse Prairie Roundup,” the reference came from JM, a friend who graciously allowed me to use her photograph taken during a real cattle roundup at Horse Prairie.
As soon as I saw it, I was drawn to the movement, the connection between the cowboy and his horse, and the gentle way the horse leaned into the work, all muscle and intent. It was more than just a nice scene—it told a quiet, honest story about ranch life.
Choosing the Right Reference Photos
Here’s what I consider when choosing or preparing a reference:
- Strong composition: I look for a natural flow that keeps the eye moving through the piece.
- Lighting & contrast: The right lighting gives me the shadow and highlight structure that adds realism and form.
- Clarity of details: Since my style is all about fine detail, the photo needs to be sharp enough to pick out textures—like the grain of leather or a wind-tossed mane.
- Emotional connection: This one’s harder to define, but I know it when I feel it. A gesture, a glance, or the quiet tension of a moment can tell more than words.
- A Challenge: In addition, I look for a reference photo that has a challenge. For instance, the textures in this piece—from the short brindle fur on the cow to the coarse leather saddle and the fraying chaps—were an exciting challenge. And as always, the eyes of the horse were one of the first areas I completed. If I can capture that spark of life, I know I’m on the right track.
From Guidelines to Freehand Details
Once I’ve chosen my reference, I crop and size it to fit the dimensions of my Pastelbord. For “Horse Prairie Roundup,” the board was 16″x12″, and I wanted to keep the horse’s profile and the cowboy’s leg in frame. I didn’t need to show the entire rider or the open prairie beyond—just enough to tell the story with intimacy.
I keep two printed copies:
- One for tracing light graphite guidelines to block in the big shapes
- Another for pastel reference, taped nearby to see all the wonderful details
I’m very deliberate about what stays and what goes. While I work in highly realistic detail and often stay true to the main subject(s) of the reference photo, I often make subtle changes that support the mood or story of the painting. For Horse Prairie Roundup, I altered the background significantly.
The original photo had a darker, dreary backdrop, which made the piece feel heavy. I replaced that with a soft blue sky, gentle clouds, and a light green hillside. This simple change lightened the overall tone and brought the focus directly to the horse and rider—enhancing the sense of openness and connection to the Western landscape.
I kept the surrounding cattle and sagebrush in place for atmosphere. There’s a rhythm to the scene—the curve of the reins, the bend in the horse’s neck, and the subtle power of the moment.
Building the Story, One Stroke at a Time
Because I work on Pastelbord and use pastel pencils exclusively, and I’m right-handed, I work from the top left and move diagonally downward as shown. This avoids smudging and keeps the details crisp. I usually begin with the most expressive parts and intricately detailed areas first—like the eye of the horse or the decorative bridle and bit detail —areas that anchor the rest of the painting emotionally and visually.
Bringing the Story to Life in Pastel
By the time I’m deep into the piece, I’ve spent hours with every inch of it. I know the textures, the tension in the leather, the softness of the mane. With “Horse Prairie Roundup,” I felt connected to that horse, to the dusty weight of the moment, and to the quiet dignity of the work being done.
To me, this is what makes a painting successful—it doesn’t just show a scene, it invites you in.
🎯 Collector’s Note:
“Horse Prairie Roundup” is available as a framed original and also as limited edition prints.
You can view full details here: Shop the Painting →
Want to read from the beginning of the series?
