Artwork in Paintings and Pencil

At a jackpot team roping, it’s pretty informal, just a bunch of guys (and sometimes gals!) getting together to have a good time roping. They throw their money into a hat and pair up with other cowboys to test their skills and horses in various combinations.

I enjoy attending these ropings and watching all the action. At this event, 

I was standing right by the gate where the team ropers come out. In team roping there is a very tense moment just before the steer is released. The horses are poised in the box, muscles coiled like steel springs. In an instant, they lunge from the box, hopefully not “breaking the barrier”, a thin line that is attached to the steer and across the box in front of the header's horse. The barrier is designed to give the steer a head start, and if it’s broken before it detaches, the team is assessed a 10-second penalty.

So it’s a lot of action in just a few seconds. Trying to capture the power and intensity of the chase was my goal for this composition of a team roping horse sketch. 

I decided to go with a closely cropped composition that emphasized the horses rather than the whole scene. These animals are highly trained and know their job. The eye on this horse is my focal point. It was important to establish the values and get those dark darks in. The sun was just setting and the lighting was dramatic, with long shadows.

With the two horses done, the drawing is getting interesting – lots of action! The steer is really dark black. I had to try some different pencils to get the super-dark value needed. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s all about values in drawing to make it convincing. As soon as I finish this guy, I'll sign it and take it to the printers.

Out Of The Gate, Pencil, 16 x 22 inches (Available)