The artcards in this Watercolor Collection feature examples of major American draft horse breeds.

“Hydra”: Winner of the 2007 California State Fair Golden Bear Award

“We selected this watercolor because it evokes strong emotion through its excellent though subtle execution. A quiet morning in the fog...captured. - This painting illustrates all the elements and principles of good design...It's a strong statement but light in touch and creation. (Jurors' statements)”
Three Shire geldings.


2007 Watercolor by Chris Rankin

“Into the Woods”: Draft Horse Classic Selection

With this painting, I was inspired by the white Shire as a huge negative shape at the center of the composition. Artists are trained to avoid centered compositions because the “bulls-eye” approach tends to leave a viewer uninterested. I tried to avoid the bulls-eye effect by turning the horse’s head away, so that his next step is going away from us, into the dark trees. I think this also works because the horse is actually white space himself - his form created solely by the shapes that have been painted in around him.

Horse and driver head off into the woods for more practice. And like any good team they will come out on the other side better for the experience.
Shire stallion.

2007 Watercolor by Chris Rankin

“Morning Glow”

This piece is all about fresh morning light. The bright, warm sunlight seems to dissolve the shape of the horse, carriage and barns. The abstraction of the shapes by the light is meant to convey the joy and promise of starting out on a new journey, and thus, the horse and the two carriage passengers appear exhilarated to be going on this morning drive.
Belgian mare.


2007 Watercolor by Chris Rankin

“Wash Rack”

“Wash Rack” is one of my more abstract compositions, with the subject matter taking a back seat to the strong horizontal and vertical overlapping patterns. Note the dark vertical silhouettes of the trees in the background, repeated by the white vertical shapes of the horse’s legs and facial blaze. I felt the horizontal shape of the wall becomes more interesting when it is broken by the curvilinear forms of shadow and the horses’ bodies.
Clydesdales.

2007 Watercolor by Chris Rankin

Watercolor Card Collection

Two 8" x 5.5" (21 cm x 14 cm) cards of each painting with matching envelopes

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