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Barb Schacher, Western Art and Wildlife Artist

Realistic Wildlife, Equine and Western Art Pastel Paintings

I’m a self-taught pencil and pastel artist who specializes in Western Art, Equine and Wildlife artwork. While my artwork consists primarily of pastel paintings, I also enjoy learning and creating with other mediums, as well.

For me, in addition to being a passion, the creation of art is a process that I find a genuine and complete solace in from beginning to end. When I put pencil to paper (or pastel to Pastelbord) the problems of the surrounding world just seem to fade away as I concentrate solely on the graphite or pastel image that slowly emerges from my artist’s pad or pastel surface.

While I work on each painting, one thing I love to do is concentrate on the small, individual details that will eventually give the overall finished piece a more realistic look when the painting is finished. I’m drawn to creating artwork that has a lot of contrast between light sources (especially natural light) and shadows. I feel that contrast, as well, helps the finished painting have a more realistic feeling.

In addition, I find the use of color (and different mixtures of colors) a fun and exciting challenge that can not only affect the realistic “look” but can also create the “western” look I love when certain colors are used and combined for the painting.

For me, I find that pencil art – whether graphite or pastel –  is a very fulfilling way of capturing wildlife, horses, cattle and the other western art subjects that I love on paper or Pastelbord with an almost nostalgic, keepsake charm unique to pencil art.

Barb Schacher~[/content_box]