Painting Ponies in the Landscape
Online Workshop – October 17 & 23
Two Sessions | 1–6 PM EST
 
Join award-winning artist Teresa Oaxaca for a two-session exploration of painting ponies within the landscape. Using Teresa’s own work as a point of departure, students will learn how to combine animal forms with the surrounding environment to create paintings that feel unified, atmospheric, and alive.
 
Through live demonstrations and guided instruction, Teresa will discuss drawing, composition, value structure, color mixing, edge control, and methods for placing horses convincingly within a landscape. Special attention will be given to gesture and proportion, simplifying equine anatomy, designing groups of animals, and creating a natural relationship between the ponies, foliage, water, grasses, and surrounding light.
 
The first session will focus on drawing, composition, establishing the major masses, and beginning the painting. Teresa will demonstrate how she moves from photographic reference toward a more painterly and cohesive design, rather than simply copying the photograph. Between classes, students will have time to continue working independently.
 
During the second session, Teresa will demonstrate overpainting, color development, glazing, texture, and methods for bringing greater depth, atmosphere, and refinement to the finished work. Particular attention will be given to integrating the animals into their surroundings through edges, reflected color, light, and selective detail. Students will receive individualized feedback throughout both sessions.
 
This workshop is suitable for intermediate and advanced students working in oil paint. Recordings of both sessions will be available for later review. The class format follows Teresa’s popular online painting workshops, combining extensive demonstrations with opportunities for questions and critiques.
 
Topics Covered
 
Designing a successful pony and landscape composition
Drawing and placing horses accurately within the landscape
Understanding equine gesture, proportion, and simplified anatomy
Grouping multiple animals into a unified design
Establishing value structure and atmospheric depth
Color mixing for horses, foliage, water, and landscape
Integrating animals into their surroundings
Painting grasses, foliage, reflections, and water
Edge control and lost-and-found passages
Glazing and overpainting techniques
Building texture, luminosity, and atmosphere
Finishing and refining the painting
 
Supply List
 
This list is what Teresa Oaxaca uses herself. Please feel free to substitute any colors you find too troublesome to acquire. It is optional to have the same materials for this course.
 
Brushes
 
Filbert, flat or round. It is recommended that you acquire a “full set” (sizes 1–12) range, or skip every other size if you want to bring fewer brushes to class.
 
Paints
 
Ultramarine Blue Green Shade — Natural Pigments
(or any Ultramarine Blue from Old Holland, Michael Harding, or another brand of your choice)
 
Chromium Oxide Green
 
Viridian
 
Lemon Ochre
(or any Yellow Ochre)
 
Cadmium Lemon
 
Cadmium Orange
 
Indian Red
 
Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide
 
Transparent Iron Oxide Brown
 
Rose Madder
(or Alizarin Crimson or Permanent Rose)
 
Cypress Umber Raw Dark
(or a Raw Umber)
 
Lead White
(or Titanium White or Flake White Replacement)
 
Ivory Black
 
Cadmium Red
 
Cerulean Blue
 
French Sienna
 
Mediums
 
Age Refined Linseed Oil
Stand Oil
 
Canvas Support
 
One stretched and primed linen canvas or panel. Size is up to you.